Lens-Artists Challenge #388: Your Journey in 5-10 Images
Anne-Christine asked us to consider these questions for this week’s challenge about a trip we took: “What were the highlights, what are the memories that will stay with me forever? Maybe the big surprises? The animals, the people, the culture, the landscapes?” You can see her gorgeous photos from Zimbabwe and South Africa here. As for my take on the challenge, I’ll take the easy way out and focus on my last journey.
If you’ve seen my recent posts, you know I have just returned from a week away at Big Bend Ranch State Park. I’ve been to that park several times, and this was the right time to go back. I was more prepared to venture off-road. My Jeep Wrangler — aptly named Onyx — finally traded the pavement for the prehistoric dust of Big Bend Ranch State Park. In the featured photo, Onyx appears on the lower left, already covered in dust in only the first ten miles of the journey.
The moment I crossed into the park boundaries, the scale of the landscape took my breath away. Seeing those towering, multi-layered peaks rising above the desert floor from behind the wheel of Onyx felt like a true homecoming. I was home, out in the wide-open skies.
I went chasing trails and canyons. I didn’t just stick to the dirt roads; I took my hiking shoes to explore the park’s rugged interior, such as at Cinco Tinajas. Standing above the canyon, I marveled at how the ancient “rock basins” have carved their way through the desert over millennia.
The Puerta Chilicote Loop was a hike that offered sweeping vistas of volcanic peaks and spiked yuccas standing like desert sentinels. Nature presented itself in every careful step I took. Being the only human being along that trail — as it happens in most hikes inside the park — I felt in complete harmony with Nature and her gifts.
At Closed Canyon, perhaps the most intimate experience of the trip, I was squeezing through the narrow, cool shadows of the slot canyon where the walls glow like molten gold when the light hits just right. It’s an unforgettable hike that I repeat every time I visit this park. Each time, there is a new discovery.
No trip to this region is complete without driving FM 170, also known as the “River Road.” Stretching between Presidio and Lajitas (50 miles / 80 km), it is arguably the most scenic drive in Texas. Onyx handled the hairpin turns and steep grades with ease, offering me a front-row seat to the Colorado Canyon. Looking down at the green ribbon of the Rio Grande snaking through the dark volcanic rock, you realize just how vast and untamed this border country remains.
After the dust settled each evening, I retreated to the Sauceda Bunkhouse. There is no better way to end a desert day than sitting on that porch, watching the sky ignite. The sunsets here aren’t just colors; they are an event. Seeing the horizon turn a fiery, bruised purple against the silhouette of the mountains was the perfect “welcome to the family” moment for Onyx. The Big Bend back country is tough, beautiful, and unforgiving—the perfect place for a Jeep to find its soul.
I am grateful for the beautiful images you share week after week, such as the ones for John’s Shadowed challenge last week. I hope you will join this challenge, too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries.
Next week, Anne will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:
- Tina of Travels and Trifles.
- Patti of P.A. Moed.
- Ann-Christine of Leya.
- John of Journeys with Johnbo.
- Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
- Sofia of Photographias.
- Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
- Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
- Beth of Wandering Dawgs.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Big Bend Ranch SP, Cinco Tinajas, Closed Canyon, Colorado Canyon, FM 170, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Parks, Puerta Chilicote Loop, Rio Grande, River Road, Sauceda Bunkhouse, Sunset, Texas. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, your images are breathtaking and I enjoyed reading your descriptions. I can see why it is a special place for you.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Beth. I love that area with both the state and national parks.
carabeinsplash
First off, fabulous photos! I’ve been wanting to go to Big Bend for a while now and just haven’t. Your photos make me want to go even more! Secondly, Hello! to a fellow Jeeper! Have you had your Wrangler very long? I’m a big enthusiast. There’s so much more you can see in a Jeep because you can go places a lot of people can’t. The name made me smile. It’s perfect.
Egidio Leitao
Cara, first off, thanks for the compliment and Jeep hello. I’ve had my Jeep since September 2025. This was its maiden voyage off-road. About the name, I wanted something without an implied gender. Both Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park are wonderful places. I wish I didn’t have to drive nearly ten hours from home to get there (all in Texas). The state park is very remote and ideal for Jeep driving. I want to go back, but I’ll have to wait until late fall. The weather at the park is getting warmer fast. With all the desert hikes available, the parks are best in the winter months.
carabeinsplash
Oh as a nature lover, you will have so much fun with that Wrangler! I think it’s great when people name their Jeeps. Isn’t it something that you can drive 10 hours and still be in Texas?! lol! Off topic, but I read that the entire island of Manhattan would fit in the space of DFW airport.
Egidio Leitao
Texas is just too big. When a person is in El Paso, they are closer to LA than to Beaumont, the easternmost large city in Texas. Now, I split the Big Bend drive into shorter segments so that I arrive during daytime. As for the Onyx, I never named a vehicle of mine previously.
carabeinsplash
Haha! Well, that’s interesting. I didn’t know that about the distance to Beaumont vs LA.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
I am not able to hike any more, but what you are able to see when you can is wonderful. Lovely trip, my favorite image was Lifeblood of the Desert: A Vista of the Rio Grande for showing us the area in scale. loved the composition of it.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Ritva. The lookout point is a must-stop for any photographer. Can you imagine this administration was considering putting a wall to separate the two countries?
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
That administration – I think I can believe that, with not doubt. Unhinged administration. I have to say I am living here.
Perpetua
The blazing sun is magnificent. What a great way to end the journey. Wheels and hiking boots are essentials on this trip. Awesome.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Perpetua. I love that place. I’ll have to look into driving back in the fall.
Hammad Rais
The Golden Light and West Texas Fire are my favorite here 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Hammad. Texas sunsets are amazing.
I. J. Khanewala
Fantastic photos. If these are badlands, give me worse
Egidio Leitao
I.J., I laughed out loud. Thanks for the great comment.
Leanne Cole
You can hear your passion for this special place in your words Egidio, thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Leanne. Much appreciated.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
What a gorgeous place to explore and go hiking Egídio, thank you so much for letting us travel along! 😊🙏
Egidio Leitao
It was my pleasure to share my corner of the world with you, Xenia. Thanks for writing.
Tina Schell
What a beautiful post Egidio!! Not only have I not been there, I hadn’t heard of it. Your landscape images are wonderful and your sunset is otherworldly!!
Egidio Leitao
The state park is often confused with the national park. They are adjacent. The landscape is somewhat similar, except the national park has the Chisos Mountains. Thanks for writing.
mickmccann24175
You may have studied something else while you were in college, but you certainly are a Geographer at heart! Especially loved the slot canyon shot. I really enjoyed a sojourn through that area in 2023, but didn’t quite make it as far as Lajitas. Thanks for the journey there!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Mick. I love that area and wished it were closer to Austin .
Sofia Alves
Your landscapes are always fantastic, Egídio. This is another amazing place that you capture so beautifully.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Sofia. I love landscape photography.
photobyjohnbo
What a beautiful place to visit, Egidio! I am remiss in seeing a slot canyon, even though Antelope Canyon is an Arizona attraction. Great response to this week’s challenge!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. Unlike Antelope Canyon, you seldom see other people in Closed Canyon.
photobyjohnbo
Interesting!
Pepper
Beautiful desert landscapes.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Pepper.
restlessjo
It’s an extraordinary landscape, Egidio. It must be fantastic to spend time there. Thanks so much for sharing it with us xx
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Jo. I love that part of Texas and those parks. xx
Leya
You master of landscapes, Egidio, this is just as beautiful as ever a post from you! Love them all, and maybe especially the closed canyon – a mysterious feeling and beautiful light. This must have been a great trip – as all of those to Big Bend.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Ann-Christine. I do love landscape photography a lot.
Toonsarah
As soon as I saw your title I knew I was going to love this post 😀 This is my sort of landscape, vast and seemingly untouched by man! I love that shot of Closed canyon, it looks so inviting and mysterious.
Egidio Leitao
Your feedback warms my heart. I picked the right title, I suppose. Like you, I also enjoy these types of landscapes. Closed Canyon is both inviting and mysterious. In the heat of the day, it’s the perfect place to be in, as we stay protected from the heat. At the same time, the curves and walls create a mysterious atmosphere in each step. Thank you for the feedback. I’m glad you liked the post.
Anita
What an extraordinary journey, Egídio!! Your images capture both the vast drama of Big Bend Ranch and the quiet, intimate moments along the way. From the dust on Onyx to the golden glow in Closed Canyon, and the river winding like a lifeline through the rock. I really love how you bring us along through your magnificent photos and your emotionally rich storytelling. A truly memorable take on the challenge.
Your post even stirred a longing in me to travel again after nearly five years without leaving Cyprus.
Egidio Leitao
The park is full of contrasts. As you pointed out, one gets vast and intimate landscapes just moments away. Thank you very much for your kind feedback. I’m thrilled that the post could spark an interest in traveling for you.