One last U.S. campfire,

for a while…

Big Bend, TX

Lajitas, TX

Mid–Late Nov. 2026

A young child with short brown hair and chubby cheeks looking up at an adult man, both outdoors on a cloudy day, with rocky terrain and a house in the background.

Join us for our last planned rodeo!

We’re spending a couple of weeks in one of the places that has meant the most to us: The Big Bend. We’d love for you to come find us there!

Come anytime from mid-November through the end of November. Stay one night, a long weekend, or a week. There’s no packed itinerary and no formal going-away party.

Just West Texas, campfires, ridiculous stars, a lot of adventures, and time together before our next chapter begins.

Why Big Bend / Terlingua?

Long before this trip, Big Bend was one of our favorite places to realign ourselves.

We’ve glamped here, hiked here, kayaked the Rio Grande, and spent a lot of time learning that sometimes the best trips are the ones where there isn’t much of a plan.

I even wrote about my love of Big Bend and getting outside years ago, including the preference for the quieter Big Bend Ranch State Park, kayaking from Lajitas, sunrise at Big Hill, and our evolution from tent camping to Airstream glamping.

So before we make Africa our new homestead, coming back here with friends feels right.

COME WHEN YOU CAN
Mid-November through the end of November.
There is no official arrival day.
Come for:
- A night
- A weekend
- Thanksgiving week
- Several days
- Or stay awhile
We’ll share where we are and a loose list of things happening as we get closer.
This trip is intentionally unstructured.
Come when you can. Do what sounds fun. Mostly, come see us before we go.
Please note: we will have loose plans and suggested itineraries to share for those who would like to organize their personal itineraries.
Terlingua feels like the edge of the map: rugged, quiet, and beautifully unpolished. It’s a place that makes you slow down, look up, and enjoy the people you’re with.
If you’re curious and want to further understand why we picked this place:
Stay wherever suits you.
- Camp: Bring the tent, camper or RV.
- Glamp: StarStruck Glamping
- Adventure lodge: Far Flung Outdoor Center (take the overnight St. Elenea Canyon canoe trip!)
- Resort: Lajitas Golf Resort. We’re staying in their RV resort. But you do not need to stay where we're staying.
- I can also help you pick a place for the experience you’re trying to create!
Pick your preferred level of cowboy.
Anthony Bourdain's West Texas guide from Parts Unknown is worth browsing before coming.
It gets into the things that make this place interesting beyond the scenery: ranching, border culture, Marfa, food, the night sky and the wonderfully particular personality of West Texas.

Check out the episode here: https://explorepartsunknown.com/destination/west-texas/
OUR BIG BEND FAVORITES
Big Bend Ranch State Park
This has long been our personal favorite of the two Big Bends because it tends to feel less congested.
A few favorites:
- Big Hill at sunrise: sweeping views toward Lajitas.
- Hoodoos Trail: short hike, strange desert rock formations.
- Closed Canyon: another short hike through a narrow canyon.
- Lajitas Crossing: a favorite place of ours for getting onto the Rio Grande.
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
If you want the classic Big Bend experience:
- Lost Mine Trail
- The Window
- Window View Trail
- Santa Elena Canyon
- South Rim if you're ready for a real hike (14+ miles)
HORSES + GOLF + A LITTLE LUXURY
Head over to Lajitas Golf Resort.
Ride horses at sunrise or sunset, hike, mountain bike, hit the spa or play Black Jack's Crossing. And my longstanding advice still applies: even if you don't golf, the scenery around the course is worth seeing.
RIVER + JEEPS + ATVs
Far Flung Outdoor Center has been operating in Big Bend since 1976 and offers:
- Rio Grande floats and river trips
- Guided Jeep tours
- ATV tours
- Star parties
- Lodging in Terlingua
GLAMP UNDER THE STARS
Not interested in actual camping?
Good news.
StarStruck Glamping offers off-grid glamping domes with private bathrooms, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, telescopes and panoramic desert views.

DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Also an activity.
Sit outside. Start a fire. Make dinner. Have a Ranch Water. Look up.
The night sky is one of the things that defines this part of Texas; Parts Unknown even dedicated part of its West Texas coverage to protecting the region's extraordinarily dark skies.
Visit Terilignua Ghost Town
Is this our official going-away party?
No. It's more like an open house in the desert before making Botswana our homestead.
When can we come?
Anytime from mid-November through the end of November.
Is there one main weekend?
No. That's intentional. Come when it works for you.
How long should we stay?
Whatever makes sense. One night, a weekend or several days.
Is there an itinerary?
We'll organize some optional adventures, dinners and campfires.
Nothing is mandatory.
I’ll also provide some suggestions and example agendas, for my beloved Type A’s out there.
Do I have to camp?
Absolutely not. There are options ranging from actual camping to glamping to a full resort.
Do I have to hike?
Also no.
You can ride horses, golf, float the river, take a Jeep tour, go to the spa, sit around a fire—or do absolutely nothing.
Should we rent a car?
Yes, if you plan to explore. This part of Texas is remote. (4WD strongly recommended). Lajitas notes that it's roughly 95 miles from the nearest stoplight and recommends having a vehicle for exploring the parks and Terlingua.
What should I pack?
Layers. Boots or comfortable shoes. Something warm for sitting outside. Sunscreen. A hat.
And very little that could reasonably be described as formalwear. I’ll also try to share some lists. All info and updates will be shared on this landing page : )
What's the point of all this?
What’s the point of life?
Before life takes us across an ocean, we want a little time in a place we love with people we love.
Come find us in the desert.
We'll save you a spot by the fire.