And let me tell y'all something about Texans. They are friendly, well-meaning folks, a little simple perhaps with a black-and-white sense of right and wrong (does this bring anyone in particular to mind?), but don't mess with them. They have a big attitude to match their state. And they like guns. They are quick to laugh, but slow to speak. They have their own take on the southern accent, whereby a two-syllable word can stretch out to three (na-aw sh-ee-yit). And they are aggressive drivers who don't pardon you the slightest hesitation. If you try to switch lane and slow down for a split of a second to check around you, they will speed up to dissipate any doubt in your mind - just don't mess with Texas. It's a big state of mind.
As we drive through it from Big Bend, we stay along the Rio Grande through more desert to Del Rio, where the mouth of the Pecos River has carved a stunning canyon through the mesa, and the Amistad dam has created a lake in the Seminole National Recreation Area. Lots of boaters and fishermen around here. The countryside east of Del Rio turns to pastures, crops, ranches and farms. We stop for the night at the outskirts of San Antonio, hoping to be able to visit the city in the morning.
Crossing the Pecos river at Del Rio.
Another view of the canyon carved by the Pecos river.
Laura's rendition of a sunset in the RV rearview mirror.
The real sunset, after I stopped and looked behind.