2. big bend

so, perhaps it's a bit of cheating to use such a broad stroke for my second item about texas, but i rather don't care.

there are two national parks here, and both are among the least-visited in the system: under a quarter million a year. big bend is one of the most remote parks in the lower 48, as well. the other park, guadalupe mountains, is at least a little less remote.

but the funny part is, big bend is among my favorites. it's quiet here, even when it's busy. and the park is gigantic, also one of the largest outside alaska.

on saturday, i hiked a 14.5 mile loop by myself to the south rim. this is one of many views from the top. i could see the santa elena canyon, the sierra del carmens in mexico, and most of the park, honestly. it's completely mind-blowing.

despite all this about big bend, it has one of the highest return rates in the entire national park system. people come back here, again and again.

it's three separate parks within one: river, mountains, and desert. i could move in, seriously.