I just rewatched Peter Jackson’s trilogies on the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, some 17 hours worth. Talk about going ever on. I’ve watched the movies four times. Peggy is a great fan. Me? Not so much. Long before the movies were produced, I read the Hobbit and then went on to read the Lord of the Rings. Also four times. I prefer Tolkien’s version over Jackson’s reinterpretation. The latter is less whimsical, more dark, and more tragic. Part of it is the medium. It’s one thing to read about the tribulations of Frodo. It’s something else to see them rendered graphically on the screen. But there is more. Dark parts are added to the movie, while lighter part are left out. For example, I’ve never forgiven Jackson for leaving out Tom Bombadil and Goldberry, two fun, fascinating characters, at the beginning of the Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring.
This post isn’t about the books or the movies, although it is about roads. I am going to kick off my first post on Big Bend NP with road shots. Also, I will note in passing, that I used the time we were watching the movies to pick out and process some 725 photos that Peggy and I took of the Park— and that I decided are blog worthy. You will see around a tenth of them is these posts!
I’m going to skip commentary on the road photos. The next two posts after this will feature many of the same areas, plus more. There will be plenty to comment on.
Shooting photos while driving down the road requires a different approach than shooting while still. The photographer is taking ‘snap shots’ in the truest sense of the word. There isn’t time to look for the best photo or consider factors like angles, shadows, sun, and content. Using a telephoto is much more difficult. The camera has to be ready, maybe even turned on. You spot something of interest, raise your camera, and shoot. Bang, bang, bang. Or the photo op has passed by. Note: When Peggy drives, I’m the photographer and vice-versa. Driving and taking photos at the same time fits the category of ‘very bad idea!’ Also, make sure your windshield is clean. Bug guts can ruin the best of pictures! Grin.
So, without further ado, these are some of the photos Peggy and I caught. While there is no requirement to include the road in a road shot, I have done so for the purpose of this post. You might note the lack of traffic. Big Bend is a long ways from major roads and cities! Enjoy.
Wandering through Time and Place 
While this certainly looks like my kind of place, but looking at those long stretches of isolated road is a reminder that both Princess and I are many years older than when I first began roaming around. Being stuck in the middle of the hill country with car trouble was complicated enough; being stuck out there would be something else.
Beyond that, I’ve probably listened to too many south and west Texas ranchers telling the stories of what they’ve endured because of people crossing the border and coming through their land. Stolen trucks, dead bodies, cut fences, etc. This part of the state (which I’ve never seen) certainly appeals, but I’d have to have an attitude adjustment before going — not to mention finding a companion and a more dependable vehicle!
I suspect, Linda, it’s hard to live along any US Border with Mexico without illegal immigrant crossings and it is certainly something to be aware of. I worry primarily about what the drug cartels are up to. Surprisingly, the most dangerous national park in the US is the Grand Canyon according to the National Park service. (There is nothing like taking a selfie on the edge of the Canyon when the wind is blowing.)
A good vehicle and a companion makes good sense.
All of that said, I think you would love it there.
One more thought, Linda, Peggy and I saw much more evidence of illegal immigrants crossing into the US at Big Bend when we ere there in 1999.
It is true that some of the preferred crossings have changed, especially since the cartels got involved, and since changes in border enforcement practices have evolved. It’s also true that I’d rather travel solo into the wilds of Big Bend in a ’47 Chevy truck held together with baling wire than go into certain parts of Houston! Realistic risk assessment is the key.
“Realistic risk assessment is the key.” Absolutely!
It’s nice to see the empty roads. What time of year were you there? Looking back to one of my earlier posts on which you commented, you were there in 1999; our visit was in 2001. The Park Service says it gets busy now, but I suspect that is just a relative term that other park people would laugh at.
It would have been in November of 2022, Ray. The park service says it ranks something like 42nd out of 60 for all national parks. And yes, we were there in 1999 as well. For Christmas.
What history lies within those hills!!
In the rocks and people, G!
These photos are absolutely stunning.
My husband is watching the Lord of the Rings movies and he’s not loving them. I’ve never seen them although I read all the Tolkien books 40 years ago.
Thank you for taking us on this journey, it’s really breathtakingly beautiful.
I’ve started rereading the Hobbit. And, darn, Sylvia, it’s hard to believe we were reading those books 40-50 years ago! Glad you enjoyed the journey.
Thanks for introducing me to this national park. I read the Tolkien books 50 years ago. Twenty years ago I was lucky enough to see Tolkien’s original artwork for the cover of the Hobbit. It was part of an exhibit at our National Library of paper artefacts.
Welcome.
I’m rereading the Hobbit, Peggy. it would be fun to see his original art work. I just pulled out my original 1965 copies of the Lord of the Rings. I think I bought them right after I got back from the Peace Corps in 1967. They’ve traveled with me ever since. As Bilbo or Frodo would note, it’s been a long road.
That’s pretty cool that you got to see Tokien’s artwork. ❤
Great photos!
Thanks!
Although I’ve never been to Big Bend, it’s not far from my roots. I was born a couple hundred miles north of there and still have relatives on my Dad’s side in Monahans.
I think. In truth, we moved away when I was still a baby and only visited a couple times when I was a teen. I don’t really know that side of the family. But I remember a lot of long, dry drives. Big Bend looks more interesting.
Texas can go on forever, Dave! I once rode a bicycle across the state. And there were a lot of ‘dry drives.’ There are beautiful areas in the state, however, and Big Bend is one of them.
I’ve never been to this park and it looks like one I would really love. It’s hard to make it to a place like this, because it’s not on the way to anywhere for us. It would have to be the entire destination. But…some day, we will do it. Thank you for the temptation: the road photos are irresistibly tempting!
So funny how Tokien has been in our lives lately. Your blog post mentioning it almost seems natural. It’s getting closer to time to get ready for our LOTR guided tour in NZ, and I’m about to buy plane tickets. But before that, I need to brush up on the movies to get myself psyched up. As you said, there’s a lot.
I own the boxed set extended edition, which has 4 hours of appendices for each 3.5 hour movie. I am in LOVE with all the “making of” stuff, the sketch artists, the Weta Workshop that made the armor and the creatures, the professional sword smiths, the costumes, the hilarious and moving stories from the actors, the outstanding musical score by Howard Shore, and most of all the scenery. Watching the appendices, Peter Jackson and his crew walk the viewer through, step by step, the painful choices of what to put into the movie and what to leave out. They were sad about Tom Bombadil, and found a way to bring him in as best they could, with Treebeard delivering a Bombadil quote. Each person who worked on those movies seemed dedicated to the depths of their soul, many of them read the trilogy every year. So after learning all that, I forgave the lost scenes.
I read The Hobbit for the first time when I was about 8 years old and my dad’s friend loaned it to me, then again when I was probably 11 or so, and found it in the Glide Elementary School library. I discovered that my mom owned the full trilogy in a single 1,000+ page bound volume (I still have it), and began reading that periodically since I was 14. I have grown up with and love these stories.
Anyway, night before last, we just watched Fellowship of the Rings, extended cut, in an actual movie theatre. It was a totally random accident that we found a single small-town theatre, showing the movie one time, on one night. We went!
Also, we are finally watching the Rings of Power, now that the next season is here. I was wary at first, but it is really well done. With legends, I don’t insist that it stay the same forever. I love new interpretations and new characters. Rings of Power does a good job staying right within the boundaries of Middle Earth, and I am delighted.
That struck a note, Crystal. Obviously. Grin. I’m alright with interpretation and I do find the movies well done. I usually find I prefer a book version over a movie version, however, especially if I have read the book first. That’s because my imagination expands upon and creates something of its own world with books. I don’t have that experience with movies. I’m having fun now rereading the Hobbit and comparing it to the movie. I’m actually finding scenes where I prefer Jacksons version.
Peggy and I have wandered through New Zealand with the hobbit and trilogy in mind. And I once organized a thousand mile bike trek on the South Island. My first visit to the country was in 1976 when my first wife and I spent a month there during a six month tour of the South Pacific. BTW, I’m not the least bit surprised that you love LOTR and the Hobbit.
ha ha ha! I did realize that I gushed in response to your blog post. Yes, it hit a nerd nerve. ❤
Laughing. You were a bit nerdy. Passionate would work as well.
Wonderful photos of absolutely gorgeous landscape. Now that’s a drive worth taking! I love taking shots from whatever vehicle I’m travelling in. I’ve gotten some of my best shots that way. Re bug guts – Photoshop is your friend 😁
Alison
Laughing about bug guts and Photoshop, Alison. Apple photo has the same ap and believe me, it gets similar use. I, too have taken lots of road shots, river shots, airplane shots, etc. Equally irritating is a spot on the lens. 🙄 Thanks! –Curt
We are so mad at ourselves for never actually making it into the park in the seven years we lived in Texas. We’ve been to Marfa, Marathon, Alpine, etc but always thought we’d have lots of time to book campsites and hike at Big Bend. Alas, we will have to visit vicariously though people like you, at least until we make the effort to go back!
You were at all of the places it was only a hop and a skip away, Lexi! I’d be kicking myself as well. On our original stop, we were on a mission to see all of America’s National Parks (we made it to 50), so there was no question we would go. We went back this last time because we had fallen in love with the park (although I confess that is my response to most of America’s National Parks).
I know! At the time, we had an almost-15-year-old dog who could not really be left alone and we couldn’t take her on the trails. Just seemed like an exercise in frustration so we put it off thinking we’d be in Texas for more time and/or would get back there sooner. Oh well … Great job with all your NPs – I think we might be hovering around 30 and are still working on it!
Beautiful! This one is on my list but I’ve yet to make it here so I’ll have to heed your advice and go! 🙂
You won’t be sorry, Diana. Thanks.