Put A Pin In It! Big Ben Beckons By Debbie Stone
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had no control over my burro. The spirited creature obviously had a mind of his own as he took off at a fast clip, then veered and attempted to squeeze between two of his friends. At one point my stirrups hooked onto those of another rider’s and we were locked leg to leg. Laughing uncontrollably, we bounced down the road like Siamese twins, linked together, eventually arriving at our destination: the tiny village of Boquillas, Mexico. Easing off my animal in a most ungraceful way, I decided that burro riding did not rank among my favorite means of transportation. To
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get to Boquillas, a border crossing is involved. It’s the shortest journey between two countries you’ll ever make, taking mere minutes. The Boquillas Border Crossing between the U.S. and Mexico reopened in 2013 after a closure of more than a decade. This “pedestrian only” crossing allows visitors to go from a designated area of Big Bend National Park in Texas to Boquillas, Mexico, with the Rio Grande as the border. You’ll need to show your passport before hopping into a rowboat for the river crossing. If you’re lucky, you might get to meet Boquillas’ judge, Jaime Ureste, who
also doubles as an oarsman. Once you’re on the other side, burros and horses are waiting to take you the mile into town to your first stop, a nondescript white trailer which serves as the Mexican immigration office. Boquillas, population 300 or so, is a humble village where the residents sell a variety of handicrafts and invite you to eat at one of the two available restaurants. To dine with a river view, opt for Jose Falcon, where the margaritas are made with Fresca and you can get a variety of typical Mexican dishes. The locals are eager to be your guide as you walk around the area, pointing out
