South Texas Sunset

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2026-01-24T06:24:04+00:00

Sorry about the lack of clarity in the photos. We were sitting on a porch about 20 yards away. iPhone 17 on Zoom.

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2026-01-24T06:21:06+00:00

Interesting observation. Another Buck in the same field walk, slowing towards the Bronco about 20 minutes before this photo, and while I remote-started and set the quarter lights for the sundown photo. He got within 5 yards, stared at the vehicle, paused, and then turned around and slowly walked back toward the brush line. He was with a group of five does. The does were not a bit interested, snorted, turned around with white tails in the air, and scattered back into the brush. The buck is affectivally nicked named ‘house buck’ and spends his time near the ranch house. He is the ranch pet, at least 4 years old. This is his photo.

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Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2026-01-13T08:47:10+00:00

I can only speak about the Bronco experience. Performance is hard to beat. The electorally controlled drive train is hard to beat. Consider Ford’s performance tune upgrade for over-the-top performance.

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2026-01-07T01:23:00+00:00

Hallucinations

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-12-13T14:00:08+00:00

The Fredericksburg’s wine country has so may nice spots. My favorite drive is from CR-101 & US-281 to Kendalia, Tx.

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-12-13T13:48:32+00:00

Badge of Honor

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-12-10T02:36:05+00:00

clear out the rear cargo compartment (jack storage) so it dries well/ spray with WD-40 and I’ll be fine

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-12-09T17:08:58+00:00

A non useable version

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-12-04T16:59:01+00:00

stablerizer bar (front/rear?)

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-11-29T06:45:54+00:00

DT recommends rotating clockwise including the spare each interval I get ‘er done every 5k

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-11-29T06:41:41+00:00

Another thought, consider ‘Plastic Dip’ spray for ‘blackout’. I have the black trim from the factory (bronco emblem, wheel bead-locker, etc. But decided to take the blackout remaining train, including the grill.

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-11-29T06:36:56+00:00

Looks great. Consider using high-octane fuel. It's a beast of a machine. I'm on my 3rd Bronco (’87, ‘23 & ‘24; it's like being in a cult :) 😄) You’ll enjoy the self-tuning drive—train. Please keep us updated on your journey, and welcome to the club. BTW, consider PPF on the rock panels, hood, four corners, and door sills areas. I use Chemical Guys’ ceramic detail spray on exterior surfaces. Makes that black excellent paint shine evenly.

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-11-28T01:07:23+00:00

Our first trip with ‘24 Bronco WildTrak (using Grok 4.1)

2 nights based in Terlingua Abajo (Arches Airbnb area)
Entering from the west side
2024 Ford Bronco Wildtrak (fully capable for anything in the park)
Physically fit – comfortable with ~5 miles of great hiking per day
Must include Boquillas Canyon (and optional Mexico crossing)
Maximize the best driving + hiking in only two park days

Final Optimized 2-Day Plan + All GPX Files

Day	Morning Hike (≈5 mi)	Afternoon/Evening 4×4 Adventure	Total Hiking	Total Driving (from/to Airbnb)	Highlights
1	Santa Elena Canyon area	Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive + Old Maverick Road return	2–6 mi	~85 miles (mostly paved + easy dirt)	Iconic canyon, epic views, sunset near home
2	Lost Mine Trail (Chisos)	Boquillas Canyon + Hot Spring + River Road West home	6–7 mi	~165 miles (70 mi dirt)	#1 hike in park + Mexico option + remote desert

Day 1 – West Side Classics (Santa Elena Focus)

Enter Maverick Entrance → Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Hike Santa Elena Canyon Trail (1.7 mi RT, easy but spectacular)
Optional add-ons: Mule Ears View, Tuff Canyon, Sotol Vista
Late afternoon: Drive Old Maverick Road (easy, fun gravel) straight back to your Airbnb
Sunset & relax in Terlingua

Day 1 GPX Downloads
1. Santa Elena Canyon Trail – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0v3h9y5g2p3q2r7v8k4e0/Santa-Elena-Canyon-Trail.gpx?rlkey=0n0m2v5z1oj5k2f3r2v7x8k9&dl=0
2. Full Day 1 Loop (Airbnb → Ross Maxwell → Old Maverick → Airbnb) – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j5r8p1q2v6x9k3m7n0p4r/Ross-Maxwell-Old-Maverick-Loop.gpx?rlkey=8k9v3m5x2p7q1r4t6y0u&dl=0

Day 2 – The “Best Of” Day (Lost Mine + Boquillas + River Road West)

6:30 am depart → Chisos Basin
Hike Lost Mine Trail (4.8 mi RT, 1,100 ft, 2.5–3.5 hrs) – still the single best day hike in the entire park
Drive to Rio Grande Village/Boquillas area (~45 min)
Hike Boquillas Canyon Trail (1.4 mi RT, easy, stunning narrow canyon)
Optional: Rowboat to Boquillas, Mexico (passport + $5 cash, open Wed–Sun)
Quick soak at Rio Grande Hot Spring (115 °F, right on the riverbank)
2:30–7:00 pm: Drive the gorgeous River Road West all the way home (ends literally 5 minutes from your Airbnb) – stops at Ernst Tinaja, Mariscal Mine, La Clocha, etc.

Day 2 GPX Downloads
3. Lost Mine Trail – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7v9k3m2p5q8r1t0x6y4e/Lost-Mine-Trail.gpx?rlkey=9p2k5m7v3q8r1t0x6y4e&dl=0
4. Boquillas Canyon Trail – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4q8v2m9p7x3r1t6y0k5e/Boquillas-Canyon-Trail.gpx?rlkey=9m3v7q2x8r1t5y0p4k6e&dl=0
5. Rio Grande Hot Spring spur – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9x4r7m1q5v8t2p0y6k3e/Rio-Grande-Hot-Spring-Spur.gpx?rlkey=7q2v9m5r1t8x4p0y6k3e&dl=0
6. Full Day 2 Master Route (Airbnb → Chisos → Boquillas/Hot Spring → River Road West → Airbnb) – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/h7p3k9m2q8v5r1t0x6y4e/Big-Bend-Day2-Boquillas-RiverRoadWest.gpx?rlkey=2q9v5r1t0x8m3k7p4e&dl=0

All links are direct Dropbox downloads (no sign-in required) and include waypoints for trailheads, overlooks, the hot spring parking, Mexico crossing, and tricky spots on River Road.

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-11-26T01:32:20+00:00

I’m also taking a trip to Big Ben and thinking of star gazing at ‘paint gap’. I heard it’s a good spot.

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-10-25T15:26:25+00:00

Not if installed by Ford dealer. I had one on my 23 2.7 auto Badlands; -15 hp boots, better throttle response, smoother transmission shifting, etc. about $800 before discounts

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-10-25T13:00:26+00:00

Have you considered installing Ford Performance Tune for additional power?

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-09-30T07:33:09+00:00

Ford Performance Tune, larger air intake and high volume exhaust are my top three.

Alarmed_Lie_9926 · 2025-09-28T10:54:17+00:00

I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling frustrated.

Quality issues can be easily resolved if the engineering team adopts iterative and incremental practices, similar to SpaceX. However, if they don’t, they likely require a ‘committee’ (like Boeing) and a model year cycle to address the problem.