#33 Postcard Trivia 10.9.18
What a spectacular view of an unusual rock formation! I received this postcard from friends who visited Big Bend National Park this summer. The Big Bend area of Texas is known for its incredible display of some of nature’s best scenery. This formation is called the Ernst Tinaja. The word tinaja means water hole in Spanish. The National Park Service website has a description of the area: This popular site sits at the mouth of a limestone canyon noted for three things: vibrant orange swirling striations in the rocks, fossils of giant oysters, and the Ernst tinaja itself, a 13-foot, natural rock pool, also known as a ‘kettle.’ (https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/campsite_ernst-tinaja.htm). The park service, as well as hiking websites, caution visitors to be careful while viewing the tinaja. It is a one-way drop into the pool. Animals are frequently trapped when the water is low with no way to climb out. And on the flip side, the area is prone to flash flooding. Campers, climbers, and hikers beware!
Trivia Question:
Big Bend National Park is one of only 10 places in the world certified for what?
A. river rafting B. dark-sky stargazing C. fossil collecting
Answer to Trivia Question:
B. dark-sky stargazing. In 2012, Big Bend was named as an international dark-sky park by the International Dark Sky Association. Big Bend has the darkest measured skies in the lower 48 United States. Perfect for stargazing!
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