Big Bend National Park (Mar '26) Rio Grande Canoe Adventure!

So, of course, you cannot be this close to the Rio Grande and not canoe down to the banks! We were fortunate to snatch two spots on this canoe trip with the Far Flung Outdoor group! Our guides met us at their Terlingua location and drove us out to the Rio Grande launch through the Big Bend Ranch State Park road. They shared the history of the place and were knowledgeable and respectful of the history of the area.

They provide you with everything you need for a successful experience, but you need to bring your own water bottle and make sure you have shoes and clothing that can get wet. They give you the gist of canoeing, but basically, if you steer, you are in the back, and if you are the power paddler, you are in front.

Our trip was truly a challenge in communication and trust. We found ourselves working against each other before we learned to work together, so if you want to test your marriage, then I suggest canoeing down a river. You will quickly see where the problems are because if you don't, you will go the wrong way, or you will run into the side bushes, and trust me, eating grass is not fun. But this was our first time together doing this, and there was a learning curve, which we overcame as quickly as we could. I did discover that my husband has Olympic paddling skills, and to turn the canoe against his paddling was a massive task. My shoulders were hating me with every paddle and steer.  

But here they are, the epic struggle of proper communication out in the Rio Grande.

Thankfully, our canoe partners were able to get some shots of our struggles and successes as they documented their trip. (Her hubby was doing most of the paddling and steering, so she was just taking pictures! LUCKY GIRL! See them in the picture below!)

As for us, sometimes we worked together, sometimes we countered each other's paddling, sometimes we gave up, took a break, and got back to work. Just like in life, you have to work with what you have and operate in kindness for a common goal.

Our goal was to survive this experience and not fall into the river. At times, the views were so breathtaking that we had to just stop and let the river current take us.

I think what saves us in times of frustration is that we were good friends before getting into a relationship, so we genuinely like each other. I can imagine that if you are fighting or not getting along with your partner, this experience will bring out the best or the worst in your relationship, so approach with care! You have been warned! These types of trips can cause divorces!

But, if you hang in there, the rewards are amazing, and you end with a fantastic story about a beautiful place, next to the marvelous nation of Mexico!

We are grateful for this experience and highly recommend that anyone visiting this area take this tour. There was a family with small children, so they were able to attend as well, but it is only 2 people per canoe, so small kids need an adult to paddle for them. Whatever your adventures in Big Bend are, or whatever National Park you visit, we hope you give river adventures a chance! You will learn a lot about your own resiliency, and you may just discover that life on this type of water is just what you needed!