Pre Holidays Forecast

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Details: Created on Thursday, 17 November 2011 21:35; Published on Thursday, 17 November 2011 21:35; Written by Abe Connally

The holiday season is upon us, and the weather is perfect for a Thanksgiving holiday adventure. Put the left-overs in the fridge and celebrate this special season in Big Bend, the Texas of legend where wild meets cool.

Late fall and early winter brings ideal weather to Big Bend. Daytime highs often hit the low 80's. In the high country it might get into the low 40's, high 30's at night, but even in Alpine and Marathon folks are still wearing shorts and tee-shirts by mid morning.

mile_high Mild weather generally continues through December, but it's hard to make a prediction, especially about the future. It is best to bring layers, where as the evening cools down, you can add a long shirt, sweater and light jacket, and reverse the process in the morning. Unfortunately, precipitation is not in the medium range forecast, but at least that makes great conditions for all the outdoor activities that Big Bend is famous for. Think about how nice it would be to step away from the busy world of high technology, political debates, celebrity dramas and get in touch with friends, family, and Mother Nature. Occupy Big Bend for a few days to celebrate the great fortune we have in our country to have public lands protected for our enjoyment. National Parks have been called "America's greatest idea" . Visit Big Bend and find out why.

Holidays in Big Bend can be busy, so be sure to make reservations ahead of time, especially for Thanksgiving weekend and between Christmas and New Years. However, most of December is a slow time for visitation and a good time to find a level of peace and quiet rarely found in our modern world. Spur of the moment travelers and walk-ins welcome.

Reading Material

As promised, here is another book you might find interesting. This week, we´ll talk about a subject that deals with Texas history, and even the history of the Big Bend region. From the days of Stephen F. Austin until now, the Texas Rangers have played an important role in guarding borders, hunting outlaws, keeping the peace, applying justice to those that try to live the Texas life. This week´s book, Men Who Wear the Star - The Story of the Texas Rangers, by Charles Robinson, tells the story of these Rangers through time. Give it a read, and you´ll learn more about Texas history from this unique point of view. That background will help you appreciate the rich story that Big Bend can´t help but be a part of.

Worth a Thousand Words

There are some views you just can't take in all at once. Like a dazzling sunset or breathtaking field of wildflowers—you just can't appreciate such beauty in the moment, a moment that is often over before you realize it, the forms and colors of that marvelous vista already fading in your memory. Perhaps it was with the goal of preserving such scenes that the first camera was invented, a goal that you may still share when you visit a place as beautiful as Big Bend and the surrounding area. Why not take a look through our new and improved photo galleries to see what amazing sights have been preserved by astounded visitors and appreciative locals? When you see the mountains, plains, flora, and fauna displayed in those images, you'll be glad the gallery contributors took their camera along.

Birding in Big Bend

Among the many activities available in Big Bend National Park that highlight the region's diversity of wildlife, birding can be enjoyable and promising. Big Bend engulfs a vast area, bounded by the the rushing Rio Grande valley to the south, containing high peaks in the Chisos Mountains, and boasting both desert and forest climates between the two. It embodies the very diversity that makes America great, providing countless opportunities to spot more than 450 birds in one area.

Your Big Year is Here

What are your new year's resolutions for 2012? Did you keep your resolutions for 2011? While the top resolutions each year include losing weight, learning something new, traveling, or getting out of debt, here's a new challenge you can take on this year: spot all the bird species in Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend Video Collections

Big Bend has some of the most spectacular scenery in Texas, if not the entire US. Our big sky country rivals any other state and our night skies are as dark as anywhere for excellent star gazing. The beautiful light and great scenery make for a photographer’s paradise.

Trails and Wildlife

There are many things you may love to do in Big Bend National Park in the heat of summer, but running or jogging is probably not one of them. With 90+ degree temperatures, there simply is no such thing as a nice July run in West Texas. With the dry weather we've had this year, you have truly hostile workout conditions. That all changes this time of year, though, as temperatures drop and the sun gives us a break for a few months. What a great time to get out on some trails in Big Bend!

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