On the second full day of our time in Lajitas, we decided to do some hiking in Big Bend National Park. I have always wanted to get to this part of Texas, and I was not disappointed! This is such a special place of such beauty, and most definitely, as Harper put it, radiates God. In the midst of the largest Desert in the Western Hemisphere, rise a stunning island of a mountain range, the Chisos.

It's a beautiful drive through the upper elevations of the Chihuahua Desert into Big Bend National Park, among many hardy desert shrubs, such as the unique Ocotillo, a tall wiry cactus. As the road climbs higher into the range, you pass through a number of different vegetation zones until you reach the Chisos Basin.

We were all pretty excited about hitting the trail. This would be Harpers first ever mountain summit and my first Texas summit, so we let Rayner, the local explorer, lead the way.

This had been the first time in about three years that the three of us had spent time together. Dubbed the Three Amigos, I guess Harper would have to be Ned Nedelender (played by Martin SHORT...ha), Rayner could only be Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase), and that leaves me as Lucky Day (Steve Martin)...hey, it could work. We did summon the invisible swordsman, and we did defeat El Guapo, so I think we're close.

Anyway.....It was a clearly marked trail that leads you through some beautiful country. You pass by the base of Casa Grande, a strikingly pretty mountain...I'd love to get back and make a scramble out of that rock, the gully to the summit basin looks too much fun to pass up.

The trail continued along at a leisurely grade along some dramatic, colorful spires. We found ourselves taking a lot of random breaks just so we could soak in our amazing surroundings. I had always known that this place existed and that it was beautiful, but actually experiencing the pure, untouched beauty of the scenery, was a very unexpected gift. It, as it always is when in a new mountain range or basin, seemed like a dream, like something you could only conjure in the most creative realm of your imagination. It is definitely a different side of Texas than the Piney Woods of the East, the high plains of the Panhandle, the Coastal Plains, or even the surreal Hill Country of Central Texas.

We were led on through some wonderful Fall colors, dramatic vistas, thick woods and grass-filled meadows, enjoying the joy each others company every step of the way. After a couple of hours hiking, our goal for the day finally came into view..in Harpers' mind, still too far away! But before we knew it, we were at the base of the final summit push.

This is a small, but very fun, class three scramble up to the summit of Emory Peak, 7,825 feet, the highest point in the Chisos, and one of the highest peaks in Texas. The views from the top are as good as I have ever seen from a mountain top. You can see far into Mexico, you can see the Rio Grande River winding through the Chihuahua Desert far below, and you have one of the best views around of the rest of the Chisos Range and Big Bend National Park.

We relaxed for a while on the summit, took a lot of pictures, and soaked in more of the scenery. Finally, we decided to make out way back down, hoping to beat the quickly oncoming darkness.

As night fell, back lit by the moon, we discovered a whole new world. Tall dark mountains rose around us as our moon lit shadows led us down the trail. With only a couple of twisted ankles, some nice blisters and some shaky, tired legs, we thanked the bright moon, because we, as true wilderness veterans do, forgot our flashlights.

It was a night to remember in the high Desert mountains of West Texas. We eventually made it back to the trailhead and found our way to Terlingua for a great dinner at the Starlight Theater. A new day began as we enjoyed a few drinks at La Kiva, and our Emory adventure came to an end.

THIS is Texas!