7:30am Sunny with a few clouds and already 80*. 🌤 Enjoyed our coffee & tea 🍮 along the Rio Grande River looking over at Mexico then noticed the camera’s 📸in the trees! So that felt creepy so back to Bubbles and enjoyed some fresh banana bread I had made. We packed up and said goodbye to our asphalt/parking lot site. We took the Ross Maxwell Scenic Highway 30 miles to the end then all the way back…yup towing Bubbles! Going from the desert, mountain range, lava areas from volcano’s and no one else on this road! Where is this adventure leading us? Down long winding, steep grade road and switchback…we did ok with our long trailer. We passed the Mule Ear Peaks, {rightly named}, Sotol Vista and stopped at Castolon Vistitor Center. This area looked exactly like we were placed in a western movie. There was a telescope set up so we could look across into Mexico…there was a bright pink church! {I thought it was a Lilly Store but the ranger told us what it was}. We walked through the Dorgan Sublett old farm house and the Homer-Watson Ranch. We then headed to the end of the road, parked and enjoyed our lunch inside Air-conditioned Bubbles! Thank you Stewart for telling us about this after our solar install. Game changer! We then took the Santa Elena Canyon trail which climbs up and down along the Rio Grande River. I see Mexico again! We hiked for 3 miles on step switchbacks, stairs, over rocks and then to the river’s edge. It sure wasn’t clean water as we saw cows crossing and on the US soil on our path! We hiked 1,365 elevation and felt it. The cool breeze in the shade along the river was welcomed. 97* at this point. Time to head back and there was my chance straight ahead…. The water was dried up and yes I crossed over into Mexico. Tim drew the line and said no further….but I needed a souvenir so I brought back a few rocks! Back at the AS we washed our feet off really well and proceeded on our journey to the western entrance of the park. Old Maverick Road led us out. Then a lot of nothing again! At 4:30pm we arrived at Paisano Village RV Park, site #20. It was level but OMG it’s a gravel lot with hookups! The town was Ghost town. The little restaurant at the gas station was closed along with the only other one down the street closed on Tuesdays! We drove a few miles and found High Sierra Bar & Grill so we thought we’d try it. We were in the mood for Margarita’s… I mean with Mexico so close and couldn’t get one there! We had a drink, appetizer and dinner. Definitely a western movie bar and the surroundings…nothing! We got back by 7pm and called it a night. 😴 We traveled 125 miles today.

Castolon Visitor center sign

Bubbles Backed into a spot at the Visitor Center

Castolon Visitor Center
Inside the visitor center looking out. Like your in a western movie.
Mule Ears peaks
You can see Santa Elena Canyon as the Rio Grande cut through the mountain.
Bubble parked at the trail parking area.
The Start of the trail.
A steep scramble up the river banks.
Stairs, switchbacks and spectacular views.
The little dots are people down there.
For perspective, look at how small the people are compared to the walls of the canyon.
Outside the canyon looking in.
I drew the line and she crossed it. LOL
The Rio Grande isn’t too treacherous to cross into Mexico.
Here is our beautiful site. It’s actually as good as it gets for the area. It’s very dry here.
Time for Margaritas.