Amistad National Recreational Park (830)775-7491 is just north of Del Rio, Texas on the Rio Grande River. The 540 miles of the Amistad shoreline is known for fishing, birdwatching, swimming, boating, and historical nature. There are red-tailed hawks soaring—so many that after a few days at camp I began to take them for granted. A deer one night, just 30 feet from me, was unafraid and seemed to wonder why I was eye-struck. And the nights. I never felt so close to heaven. The stars were too many to count and I saw, in detail, the constellations and felt I could touch them. The kids and I had fun identifying each of them. Found out that the last battle of the U.S. Civil War was fought at Palmito Ranch, southeast of us. Seminole Canyon State Park (432)292-4464, just north of Amistad, is a MUST-SEE! It has rock art, some of which is 10,000 years old, and is the largest collection of aboriginal art in North America. We didn't make time to take the guided canoe tours because we all wanted to go to Langtry—in the middle of nowhere, but worth every moment. This is where the infamous Judge Roy Bean held court in his saloon/billiard/hall/ courtroom. The building still stands, and we fantasized our trial. Thirty minutes east is Brackettville. The Alamo Village is located on the Shahan Ranch (1836) and is the oldest and largest movie "location." Most major Western movies dating back to Roy Rogers have been made there. We had a blast. They have trail rides and Texas Longhorn cattle drives. We were amazed at the country along the Rio Grande, and we'll never forget camping the River.
Quick Tips:
Stop at the Visitor Information Center Park Headquarters. We were met by a genuine Ranger who spent lots of time explaining the river and its environment. With lots of maps and literature and getting last minute goodies, off we went to find our secluded campsite. After setting up camp (three tents plus raft) we explored the area. Bring your own drinking water... lots of it. And a water hose for showering. The faucets are down the path from the covered picnic table and cooking area. The tallest cover was the shower holder, and we bathed in our swim suits. It is primitive, but good for lots of laughs. Bring extra lanterns because IT GETS DARK. Except for those stars. Best Way To Get Around:
The SUV served us well in the back country. We were a mere swim away from Mexico, and the land was full of blooming cacti. There are plenty of walking paths, and access to the campsite was easy because of the paved road. And it was quiet, except for the occasional train going north and south just to remind us we were still on earth. A must-visit for nature lovers.