Big Bend Ranch SP on MLK weekend

Louise Hose · #1 12-03-2008, 09:12 PM

Paul and I have reserved our places at Big Bend Ranch State Park in west Texas for the extended Martin Luther King Holiday weekend. Yes, it will probably be cold, but what's wrong with a few days of cold in winter when you live in south Texas?

We plan to arrive on Saturday January 17th and stay through Tuesday the 20th. The Ranch House is full on the 17th (open the rest of the time), but the bunkhouse has plenty of room for the entire weekend (as of earlier today).

There's lots of information on BBRSP in the forums. Try http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...nch+state+park or http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ighlight=BBRSP.

Information on the park and how to make reservations is available at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...ig_bend_ranch/

As for the airplane stuff?..the airstrip is 3TE3, it is paved, and it was well-maintained last time we were there (http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...nch+state+park). The location is 29-28-10.6840N / 103-56-11.7030W, elevation: 4240 feet, and length: 5500 feet. The procedure is to find the headquarters about one mile to the west, circle it a couple of times, go land, tie-down and unpack, and expect a van to pick you up (for free!) before you finish securing things. There are pretty limited tie-downs (maybe 10?), so it would be prudent to bring your own. There are no hangers or other such facilities and no one seems to monitor a radio frequency.

mannanj · #2 12-03-2008, 09:28 PM

Louise:

Becky and I were thinking of going sometime in the middle week of DEC., then visiting relatives in Texas over Christmas week. Jay bailed out earlier because of work commitments which I understand as Becky has them too.

Anyone else interested in going there the week before Christmas????? I have no idea what the housing schedule is for that week, so I need to call.

As much as we'd like, there's no way that we can make it in Jan.

ghatch · #3 12-04-2008, 08:55 AM

Thanks Louise for the BBRSP and airstrip info. We (EAA Chapter 493, San Angelo,Tx.) are planning to make BBRSP a stop on our Greater Texas Air Tour (GTAT) next September and I appreciate this info and your previous report on the ranch. I will post additional info about GTAT as it develops.
Any and all are welcome and invited. Both faster and not so fast aircraft will take part and destinations will accommodate multiple ranges of interest, aircraft types (RVs of course) and destinations in Texas and surrounding states.

Thanks again,
Gerry Hatch

Ironflight · #4 01-08-2009, 07:33 AM

I know that Jay and Carol are planning to be out there that weekend - anyone else going to see the desert in January?

I need to go polish up my two-headed quarter for the coin toss to see which airplane we take....

Jaypratt · #5 01-10-2009, 08:21 AM

When you are out there you will want a Cub

Jaypratt · #6 01-12-2009, 07:15 AM

Carol and I are planing to fly to Presidio Wednesday and Thursday. BBRSP Sat and Sun night.
Back here Monday evening.
Hope to see Chace and his RV10 project. Explore the country and meet up with the locals.

Tandem46 · #7 01-12-2009, 08:59 PM

Anyone else planning on camping or is everyone staying in the bunkhouse? Jayne and I are planning on coming up from Corpus if the local Corpus crud wx doesn't keep us down. We thought about camping but didn't want to be the only ones.

westexflyboy · #8 01-12-2009, 09:38 PM

I plan to take off from work (i.e. "job" work) starting Wednesday. Will plan to visit with whomever may want the nickel tour of the Big Bend, Otherwise I'll be putting in some serious time building the RV-10's: plumbing, electrical and insulation.

Fortunately it looks like most of Texas will share the clear skies of the desert for the remainder of this week and over the weekend!

Jaypratt · #9 01-13-2009, 01:40 PM

Tob,

Don 'Yellow Bird' is in the bunkhouse. I don't think anyone is camping?

Louise Hose · #10 01-18-2009, 04:09 AM

The first RV arrivals (Don C. in Yellowbird and Paul and I in the Valkyrie, with John in a souped up C-182 panting to stay on Don's wind) came in the early afternoon yesterday. We were greeted by my former Cherokee partners from Carlsbad, NM, George and Linda. It was one magnificent day out here. "Perfect" temperature of maybe 65F for a high. Light wind. After settling in, we headed out on a hike right as Jay and Carol flew over the Ranch compound in Shooter (Super Cub). They were here to greet us when we returned. Chase S. (from Precidio) came in a little later (also in a Cessna) and Tobin and Jane arrived shortly before dusk. Eleven people so far, but oddly only 3 RVs. We expect Dave and Janey B. to arrive this afternoon and make that 4.

All fears that BBRSP has been organized, formalized, and headed for more authoritarian management (as had been promised by a consultant working at the Park during our last visit) went out the window and chaos reined in the bunkhouse. Beds had been overbooked, women found strange men setting up to sleep in their cubicles in the women's dorm, and the park pleaded that they were too short-handed to keep a handle on things. Good. We don't come here for a regimented experience. After some sorting out, I think everyone found a satisfactory sleeping arrangement. We understand that the biggest group in the bunkhouse and the group in the Big House both leave today (Sunday), so there should be a little more elbow room here for the rest of the weekend. We plan to take over the Big House at any rate.

The Park made a wonderful campfire last night and we soon had it almost to ourselves (with just a couple of the friendly folks from another group joining us). The stars, as always, were spectacular. The night temperature was brisk but not cold.....perfect for a campfire. Oh, and they still make great green chile chicken enchiladas!

Oh, and the biggest surprise? My photo of vaquero Raul on a horse at Cinco Tinajas (http://n5lp.net/BBSP.htm) was made into a nice painting by someone named Laurie Holman and now hangs in the dining hall. Flattering!

The first wave of the VAF Cavalry rides in a few hours. Another dawn patrol is planned for tomorrow morning. Folks plan to be here through Tuesday morning, so come on down!