Paddling the Rio Grande

All the hard work is done for tour participants, from unloading the canoes to getting us fitted with life jackets!

The Rio Grande was tranquil the day of our tour...
making for a relaxing trip.

All the gear is provided!

Our guide, John, of Big Bend River Tours

It seems we'd just finished our tasty roast chicken lunch in "Lunchbox Canyon" and ridden a short distance back to the stable, when it was time to say goodbye to Janelle and our horses.  We'd had a FUN morning, but it was time for our new adventure, and the folks from Big Bend River Tours were ready and waiting for us!

They took us by van to our departure point, the La Cuesta River Access of Big Bend Ranch State Park.  Because the river level was down, we were going to enjoy a gentle float down the Rio Grande by canoe.  Had we taken our adventure a few weeks earlier--just after Mexico released water into the river--we would have traveled by raft through rapids!  But, today called for a leisurely, relaxing kind of "take your time" adventure the exemplifies the Big Bend.  And we were up for that!

Every need was accommodated; all the equipment provided, even shade umbrellas if we wanted them!  All we had to do was relax and enjoy the water and the steep cliffs of the Rio Grande. 

We watched shorebirds scratch at the pebbly riverbank, turtles catching a few rays, butterflies, tiny lizards, dragonflies, and a squirrel scampering up the canyon wall.

Tomorrow, we continue our adventure on the river as part of our one day, Saddle/Paddle tour!