Toni's Tribute to All Countries, But Mostly America

 Named for the 95-degree bend The Rio Grande River makes as it sweeps along our southern border defining the shape of Texas, Big Bend proved to be an absolutely delightful national park.  We camped in Bambi at the park’s Rio Grande Village Campground on the river, using it as our base to explore this vast wilderness over nine days.  There’s not a section of the park we missed.  Three distinct ecosystems make up Big Bend National Park:  the parched yet colorful Chihuahuan Desert, the 7900-foot tall peaks of the Chisos Mountains rising from the desert floor, and the life-giving Rio Grande River. Three amazing things:    #1 The Rio Grande River:  On my bucket list for more years than I can remember was a kayak trip along the Rio Grande through Boquillas Canyon, a deep groove eroded into the Sierra Del Carmen plateau.  I’d read there are places inside Boquillas as deep as The Grand Canyon.  Though not as spectacular in color and formations...