FED across the U.S.
Davis Mountains State Park to Rio Grande Village in Big Bend National park: 177 miles
On the map, Highway 118 south to Big Bend NP is a scenic route. It goes through the Del Norte Mts. with signs along the way pointing out mountain peaks and their elevations... like Santiago Peak at 6,521 feet. They seem much taller because of the flatness of the surrounding desert landscape, which goes in all directions as far as you can see.
Big Bend National Park is the least visited of the national parks in the U.S., especially in the summer time because it gets quite hot... 104 in the shade as we experienced during our stay at Rio Grande Village. When we weren't in the store/laundry mat (doing a much-needed load of clothes), we hung out in the FED with the air conditioner on for the rest of the day. We did turn it off when the sun set... panting and sweating until the middle of the night when it finally cooled off a bit.
The stay did have its welcome moments, though...
Roadrunners. The only time I have ever seen one in the wild is a quick scurry across a road I'm cruising down on a bike or motorized vehicle. Upon arriving at Rio Grande village, we cruised the premises looking for the best place to park for the night, preferably with electric hookups. Throughout the 'village' were small irrigation canals to help keep the landscape green... of which the local animals appreciate as well, including roadrunners. They really are beautiful birds and don't look anything like the Warner Bros. version.
Other sights during the day...