After living here full-time for many years, I finally went out on the river for the first time! I know, it’s crazy to even say that it has taken me this long to actually go. I finally had a break and my dear friend Adana who has been a river guide for almost 20 years took me out on the river this week for the greatest adventure! It was AMAZING!
Sometimes You Have to Make Time for the Adventure
Life has been BUSY. Between the restaurant, real estate, content, our other businesses, and the million little things that seem to come with living in the middle of nowhere, it’s really easy to look at all of these incredible things around us and think, I’ll do that eventually.
And, I finally had the time.
Adana and I loaded up and headed out for a day on the Rio Grande, and almost immediately I was wondering why it had taken me so long.
Having someone beside me who has spent nearly two decades guiding people on this river made the experience even more special. She knows this place in a completely different way from the river, the landscape, and all the little things I probably would have floated right past without noticing.
And getting an entire day to catch up with one of my closest friends while floating through Big Bend?
Pretty hard to beat.
Big Bend Looks Completely Different From the Water
I’ve seen Big Bend from a lot of different perspectives. I’ve hiked hundreds of miles out here, driven the backroads, and watched more West Texas sunsets than I can count. But seeing this place from the Rio Grande was completely different. It all just slows down.
You’re surrounded by desert and mountains, but right along the river there are these beautiful stretches of green. You’re sitting low on the water looking up at this enormous landscape around you, and suddenly places you’ve seen a hundred times feel completely new.
For someone whose brain is pretty much always going, there was something really nice about having nowhere else to be.
And, that’s a pretty perfect day.
Another Reminder of Why I Love It Here
I’ve said it a million times, but Big Bend has a way of reminding me why we chose this life. There’s always something else to explore. And I think I’ve also realized that living somewhere beautiful doesn’t automatically mean you take advantage of it. You still have to make the time to go do the things.
It’s easy to get caught up in work and tell yourself you’ll hike next week, explore that road next month, or float the river someday.
This was my reminder to stop saying someday quite so much. It was a good life lesson this week.
Come Float With Us
Of course, I brought the camera along.
I put together a new YouTube video from our day so you can experience a little bit of the Rio Grande with us, from getting on the water to some of the incredible scenery along the way.
WATCH:
FLOAT THE RIO GRANDE - WATCH HERE
If you’ve ever wondered what Big Bend looks like from the water, this one’s for you.
And if you’re like me and have something you’ve been saying you’ll do eventually...
Maybe this is your sign to finally go do it.
A Quick Weekly Slice Update
And speaking of life getting a little crazy...
I’m behind on the Weekly Slice.
If you’ve been following along on social media, you’ve probably seen that we’ve had quite a bit going on with the weather lately, and things around here have been a little wild.
So, I’m sorry for the delay, but this week’s Weekly Slice is coming! I have plenty to catch you up on, and I’ll have it out this week.
Thank you, as always, for following along with our adventures, reading these little updates, watching the videos, and supporting this crazy life we’re building out West.
Love you guys.
Mallory
Mundy Out West
I, too, have been enjoying the Big Bend area for most of me life (since 1972) and have had a camp in the Solitario for the past 10 years. And, I too, have never been on the Rio Grand. It is on my to do soon list.