Situated on the United StatesMexico Border, AmistadNational Recreation Area is known primarily for excellent year round, waterbased recreation including: boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and waterskiing. Amistad NRA also provides opportunities for picnicking, camping and hunting. The reservoir, at the confluence of the Rio
Grande, Devils and Pecos rivers, was created by Amistad Dam in 1969. In addition to excellent recreation, this area is rich in archaeology and rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life.
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We stopped in Del Rio Texas for a few days after we left the Rio Grande Valley.
Near Del Rio is a man-made lake on the Rio Grande river known as the Amistad
National Recreation Area.Of historical interest in the area are several sites which
preserve ancient petroglyphs. Two of these sites are accessible by boat only. We visited them both and the photos here are from that trip.
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Almost immediately as we headed into the river, we noticed the raptors overhead. This is a vulture and the
next is after he landed high overhead on the cliff.
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The first of the caves is known as Parida Cave and was first occupied some
10,000 years ago. It is smaller and less dramatic than the Panther Cave
we would see later.
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A well maintained path leads into the cave proper. The path traverses the "garbage pile" of the previous inhabitants. This pile serves
archaeologists with a trove of artifacts concerning the daily life of the ancients.
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This is one of the clearest of the paintings in this cave.
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While there does not seem to be much modern grafitti on the site,
these names have been there since the railroad construction era in the 1880s.
Apparently this crew wanted it known they had been here!
Another picture is next.
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Unfortunately, the step out of the boat was a little too high for
Cathy to try with her back problem so she enjoyed the sun and
scenery from the boat on this cave.
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The next three pictures are of more paintings in Parida Cave.
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We put the boat into the Pecos River about a mile above its confluence with
the Rio Grande. Parida Cave is about a mile from the launch point.
This is the view as we arrive at the larger, Panther Cave along the Rio Grande.
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The next 3 photos are of the interpretive panel at the outside of Panther Cave.
I have included it because it is quite clear and shows the entire panel on the
back wall of the cave. This complete painting covers over 100 feet of length
of the cave wall. It is 8 or 10 feet high. It is simply breathtaking to see it.
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This shows the left portion of the painting. Later pictures will attempt to
capture the actual paintings of each major segment in more detail.
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| The image of the Panther gives this cave its name. The painting is at least 15 feet wide. |
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Natural weathering has faded some of the paintings
at the left, so they are pretty faint and hard to see.
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| It appears this Shaman has either a sacrifice or perhaps the results of a hunt in his right hand. |
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And this is the cave's namesake Panther - just spectacular to see.
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After leaving Panther Cave we headed back out to the river to explore.
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I thought this naturally eroded cave on the cliff looked as if it had been professionally
landscaped with native plants. But it is really just an example of Mother Nature's landscaping.
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The Southern Pacific Railroad once followed the course of the Rio Grande and this is an example of one
of their support walls for the rails above. We also saw the openings of a former tunnel
which is now just at the water level.
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The two buildings here and in the next picture are on the Mexican side of the river.
Our guide, Charlie, thinks they were built there specifically as a transit point for smuggling.
There are good roads to access these houses and when built, the water level was
such that the owners had easy access from the deck above. With the water level
lowered by officials, the access is restricted and perhaps it has eliminated the possibility
to use this site as a conduit to the US.
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Nests high on the cliffs of the Pecos River.
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Osprey in flight.
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Osprey.
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Way up there on the cliffs, we saw several farm goats out browsing.
From the river it is impossible to see how they got there, but goats are
curious, sure-footed and undeterred by such obstacles.
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| A closer look at the goats here and below. |
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Another eroded cave in the cliff face. This is on the Pecos River in Texas.
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A Blue Heron takes a break from fishing.
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| Our boat Captain on the Left along with two fellow tourists we met at the visitor center and shared the cost of the rental. Cathy on right - I was behind the camera! |
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A little history of the Southern Pacific Transcontinental
Railroad in the area. This is at a picnic shelter above the boat launch ramp.
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Is Cathy looking for the train?
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As we were leaving in the car, we saw these Turkey Vultures in the parking lot.
They stayed just long enough for me to take their picture for you.
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