For most of the last 12 or so years, my wife and I have gone to Big Bend National Park with friends during the last week of the year. The trip is organized by a friend who loves the park and the stars there.
The stars are incredible. So many are visible there compared to the city. The darkest skies of any national Park in the lower 48 states are here. Outdoor lighting fixtures that point light down and not up are chosen to allow this. There are hikes for all skill levels https://texashighways.com/travel-news/big-bend-for-the-rest-of-us/.
The cast of characters that go on these trips changes; this year we had a couple that moved to another state a few years ago that have joined us in the past. Puns and old jokes were the order of the day among the three couples as we enjoyed the scenery, hiked, and played board games.
Paula and I had a marriage ceremony there in 2013. It wasn’t legal, of course, that came in 2015.
This pic of the ceremony was taken by Dale, one of the friends that moved away and was back for the trip this year.
It was cold and foggy. Our invitations were construction paper and crayon, because we didn’t plan it ahead of time.
I wouldn’t trade it for any warmer destination wedding.
We will be moving to Portugal this year. So this will be our last trip to Big Bend.
I keep saying, “our last trip to Big Bend for a while“. But realistically, it might be our last trip ever.
I am really going to miss these trips to connect with this special place and important friends.
There are no TV’s in the rooms. While there is WiFi at the lodge and some cell service, I mostly ignore it.
It really helps me disconnect from social media and quiets some of the noise in my brain.
But the lure of Portugal is big enough to let me give up the Big Bend.
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