Big Bend
I love your photographs and descriptions of the quiet and solitude of the Big Bend region of Texas. You hit the nail on the head. For that reason, we moved to Marathon about 5 years ago! Hope you spent a few minutes in Marathon on your way to the park. I backpack in BBNP or in BBRSP at least once a month, and still can't get enough of it. Been going here since 1970. I am currently working on a coffee table book and a guide book to the region, in the early stages. One of the great treasures of the region is its people, or I should say, "characters." Be sure to spend some time sitting on a front porch talking to some locals next time you're there. You might be talking to an archeologist, or maybe to a concert violinist, or maybe an artist, or just as easily a prospector. You won't know until you strike up a conversation.
Thanks for all your kind words about our little corner of the less-traveled world. Let me know if you come back down. I have a fairly well-equipped TJ Jeep that spends a lot of time in the backcountry down here. Just might join you.
Happy Trails. Flashdude.