TEXAS RIVER MUSIC PLANNING
Texas River Music Detailed Itinerary
Weather and water conditions in Big Bend and on the Rio Grande are unpredictable. Water levels and weather conditions determine which river section is best. Recently, the river has been low, and we use canoes and a few kayaks to get downstream. In 2023, we established a base camp at a relatively remote, quiet location accessible by dirt road. Then each day we made day trips by canoe into different river sections, returning to camp at the end of the day to enjoy a great meal and unforgettable music by our favorite artists.
Thursday afternoon: Guests are encouraged to check in the day before the trip at DB’s Rustic Iron Barbecue, just of of TX 170 in front of historic Terlingua Ghost Town. This is right next to where we keep our canoes and equipment.
Friday Day One: Meet 8:30 am at our boat yard, next to the DB’s.. After all are checked in and squared away, we transport guests to the selected river access. Unless river conditions are excellent, we will go to H0t Spring Canyon in Big Bend National Park. We will have lunch near the Hot Springs and take time to tour the historic area and even take a dip into the 105 degree waters. Lunch will be sandwiches with a variety of deli meat, cheeses, dips, chips, salsa and cookies. After the trip ends at Rio Grande Village, we return to camp for the evenings festivities.
Saturday Day Two: A hearty breakfast, with omelets to order, bacon and/or sausage, fried potatoes, coffee, tea and juice. We also put out fruit, yogurt and granola. Then we load up and head upstream to Big Bend Ranch State Park to float Dark Canyon with its vertical walls of volcanic origin. Lunch today will include pasta salad, salami and crackers, fruit and whatever tasty treats we might come up with.
Sunday Day Three: After breakfast of smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagels, tamales, along with the typical fruit, yogurt and granola options, we set out for our final day on the river. We save the best for last, Santa Elena Canyon. Noted southwestern author Edward Abbey commented that “if light were sound, Santa Elena would be a symphony”. We take our canoes and paddle upstream into the canyon and are immediately in the confines of vertical walls 1500 feet high. There will be places we have to get out and walk a bit in shallow water, and appropriate footwear is important. This requires a bit of effort, but if we take our time, we find ourselves in a location of unforgettable scenic beauty. After our day in the Canyon, we return to Terlingua to say goodby to new and old friends.
Contact Mike Davidson to get on a mailing list for updates and news regarding Texas Music Adventures. mike@gobigbend.com (432) 386-5635
