Texas road trip !

[Steve_USA]

Hey all, only 6 weeks this coming friday until we're flying to Texas! Woohoo

I've made some slight alterations to the plan. And I'm here to ask if someone can recommend a cheap & cheerful motel (not cheap and nasty!) in Del Rio. We will be using this as a base for 3 (maybe 4) nights to visit "local" attractions that I've researched.

Curious as to where you guys may have stayed.. tia :)

Also, have you guys any recommendations for Big Bend National Park? Anyone stayed over night here? Again, this will be a part of the road trip where I imagine at least a 3 night stay. At least! Hiking time :)

TIA again.
Steve.

[mariekegraves]

Here is my own story of big bend and garner SP. I am a european myself and i absolutely love texas. i live in galveston and we frequently like to take trips in the southern states. i would love to answer any questions you may have!

[mariekegraves]

Hey all, only 6 weeks this coming friday until we're flying to Texas! Woohoo

I've made some slight alterations to the plan. And I'm here to ask if someone can recommend a cheap & cheerful motel (not cheap and nasty!) in Del Rio. We will be using this as a base for 3 (maybe 4) nights to visit "local" attractions that I've researched.

Curious as to where you guys may have stayed.. tia :)

Also, have you guys any recommendations for Big Bend National Park? Anyone stayed over night here? Again, this will be a part of the road trip where I imagine at least a 3 night stay. At least! Hiking time :)

TIA again.
Steve.

there are 2 campsites in BB. We stayed in Rio Grande Village and then there is Chisos Basin. We were there in the summer. for 3 nights we were ALONE, no other tents. Nice, but maybe too boring. Chisos Basin however had many more people and also cabins, restaurant and hiketrails.

campground info here

[glc]

Hotels.com shows the La Quinta in Del Rio is $52 a night for a double, and it has decent reviews.

[Steve_USA]

Wonderful read, really enjoyed it. We're off along a similar route. San Antonio / hwy 90 / passing Uvalde/Bracketteville onto Del Rio. Onwards from here towards Marathon and south to Big Bend. Wonderful to read your experiences, i cannot wait to get over and do it myself :)

Not into 'camping' we'll be staying in Big Bend of course, but i'll be looking for something with a comfy bed heh

[Steve_USA]

Me again!

I'm looking at car hire today. (ebookers.com) The previous two road trips we've hired a Chevrolet Uplander which has always been a great vehicle, really really nice with a good ride and spec. But I'm here to ask if there's perhaps something a little bigger/better. Esp with luggage..

The first road trip it was just the two of us.. The second it was four adults and we were a little squashed towards the end of the road trip - gifts and new clothes all added up! heh

Okay, this year it's the same four adults plus our 18 month old daughter. Although I know we're doing less mileage this year, it's still a little worrying, will the Chevy manage with us all?

Ebookers have these four SUV/Minivans that look about the same size but with various spec levels for people/luggage:

Ford Escape, Chevy Uplander, Ford Explorer and Chevy Trailblazer. This years road trip will cover less milegage compared to the previous two trips but I'd still appreciate anyones advice on the above. TIA :)

[mariekegraves]

Wonderful read, really enjoyed it. We're off along a similar route. San Antonio / hwy 90 / passing Uvalde/Bracketteville onto Del Rio. Onwards from here towards Marathon and south to Big Bend. Wonderful to read your experiences, i cannot wait to get over and do it myself :)

Not into 'camping' we'll be staying in Big Bend of course, but i'll be looking for something with a comfy bed heh

then Chisos Basin is your choice. They have cabins as well as camping. I dont recall any other places to stay. But of course i looked into camping, not comfort =)

[Steve_USA]

then Chisos Basin is your choice. They have cabins as well as camping. I dont recall any other places to stay. But of course i looked into camping, not comfort =)

Thanks!
I'd love to try camping, esp in Big Bend. Wow this would be something I'd love to do, well, until the tarantulas came out at night! <gulp>
However, my parents and my daughter wouldn't appreciate the lack of a bed...

I'll look at Chisos Basin :)

[Mark Sedenquist]

I really like Terlingua -- great restaurant and bars and nice B&Bs. But here are some of the articles about the area you might find helpful (although written for RV'ers the info translates for car campers too).

Over-view for visiting Big Bend

Hot Springs in the area

Aaron Reed's take on visiting Big Bend

Mark

[Steve_USA]

cheers Mark.
this place is huge and contains a lot to view and visit not to mention the hard decision of picking the less-populated hikes too. I'm going to spend some time today finding out the places to stay here for a few nights. I think it'll be a good idea to phone ahead when we hit Marathon! :)