I went to Big Bend for three days, and it changed my life. Yes, I know that’s dramatic, but stick with me.
Rachelle Croft and I have collectively traveled extensively throughout the world—Rachelle primarily overlanding, and I via traditional travel. Our combined experience and mix of expertise lend themselves to trips that are well-planned and well-executed. Certain countries, experiences, and people have, at times, triggered a shift in perspective, spurred the decision to make a lifestyle change, or provided an overwhelming amount of inspiration (Africa, I’m looking at you). A three-day camping trip in Big Bend National Park, however, was not on my radar as being one of those moments.
So when Toyota and Lexus extended an invitation to explore the rugged beauty of Big Bend National Park and dangled the carrot of learning astrophotography in the process, Rachelle and I jumped at the chance. Photography has long been something we have both dabbled in, and we were excited to grow our skills.
With support from our family and colleagues, excitement began to grow. However, as the departure day approached, the inevitable happened. Workloads grew larger, kids got sick, and the struggle to go or not was very real. It’s almost laughable how often “life” likes to rear its ugly head when cool opportunities present themselves. The reality is, there is never really a perfect time to leave. The reasons to say “no” continue to mount, but saying “yes” is almost always worth it.
Arriving at Big Bend National Park
Once we landed in El Paso, Texas, we jumped in the new Trailhunter Tacoma to make our first miles. It is a familiar rig for both of us; however, this was the longest time we have spent in one. Armed with the power that these new Trailhunters offer, we made our way through the heart of the wild landscapes of South Texas. The closer we got to Big Bend National Park, the more we realized the landscape was vastly different from what we expected. It felt otherworldly, with wild rock formations, unique vegetation, and an entire mountain range within the boundaries of the park. Arrival at camp was filled with excitement and genuine enthusiasm, and the team taking care of us was ready with open arms: Kurt Williams, Jackson Philby, and the OLT4x4 crew are the true heroes of this endeavor.
At sundown, we had our first lesson in astrophotography. Learning the basics of this style of photography, sorting through different settings, and experimenting with how to capture the shot came with the realization that this was going to be an incredibly fulfilling week. Seeing that first image pop up on my camera and getting a glimpse of what is possible to capture felt like opening a gift on Christmas morning. Childlike enthusiasm overcame any aversion to the 3:00 a.m. wakeup call the next morning. Unfortunately, news of cloud cover moving in between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. meant the first planned shoot had to be canceled. Naively, I thought this would grant us a few extra hours of sleep—but the wind had other plans. Instead, it treated me to a sleepless night and a charming layer of sand and silt absolutely everywhere.
Balancing Rock
Day one on the trail kicked off with our group hopping into the Lexus GX550 Overtrail and the Lexus LX 700h for the day’s adventure. We were spoiled right out of the gate—massaging seats on the way to the trailhead had us questioning whether we were headed for a hike or a spa day. Mentally, we were bracing for a grueling trek reminiscent of our Montana home. Instead, we got a scenic nature walk with a mild rock scramble at the end—pleasantly surprising, especially with the low elevation tricking us into thinking we could scale boulders all day.
Reaching Balancing Rock was well worth it as the view stretched out endlessly below us, and, true to form, the tourist photo ops commenced. After a quick descent, we made the obligatory stop at the visitor’s center, where matching souvenir mugs were non-negotiable.
Then, it was back to the dirt to really put these machines through their paces. As we navigated the off-road trails, it became immediately clear that both of these new Lexus platforms are not only incredibly comfortable, but purpose-built for adventure. From the refined interiors and intuitive tech to the impressive suspension and traction systems, every detail is engineered to deliver both luxury and capability in equal measure. These are hands down the most capable luxury SUVs out there.
Everyone agreed that the Lexus LX 700h was the vehicle to beat, and to be fair, it provides an insanely smooth ride. However, I found myself drawn to the GX550. Its rugged yet refined aesthetic officially earned it a spot on my vehicle wishlist.
The Stars
Night two brought more relentless wind and not much in the way of sleep—but finally, a break in the clouds gave us the opportunity we’d been waiting for: a chance to shoot beneath the legendary Big Bend sky. Armed with hot coffee and protein bars, we met our photography guides, Matthew Littlewood and Benjamin Hutton, two wildly talented photographers who had the scene set and our cameras ready. Three hours flew by, and we all seemed to want to stay longer. Matt and Ben somehow managed to balance infectious enthusiasm with calm, clear instruction. Their ability to keep the vibes high while walking us through long-exposure settings in the dark was no small feat. True artists through and through, their passion was not only evident but also contagious.
As we wrapped up shooting and the sun started to peek up over the horizon, I couldn’t help but sit in the dirt and start to think about the last few days. The gratitude for what we had experienced up to this point started to settle in, and I found myself moving into a place of introspection for the remainder of the trip. I couldn’t yet name the shift happening within me, but something about this land and these people stirred feelings I thought I’d long lost.
Later that morning, our group loaded up in the Tacoma TRD Pro and 4Runner Trailhunter for another “hike” as well as trail time in the Toyotas. We strolled along the banks of the Río Grande and waved at Mexico on the other side.
However, the real shining moment for me was putting the Tacoma TRDPro through its paces on some back roads. While I wouldn’t exactly consider this your everyday commuter, this truck is built for fun, and it is a blast on the trail. It handles the whoops and rollers like a champ, and because the seats have a built-in dampening system, the ride is surprisingly smooth. I enjoy being in the driver’s seat at times, but riding shotgun with someone who has the level of driving skill that Rachelle does is so much fun. I’ll proudly wear the “passenger princess” title whenever she’s behind the wheel.
Lessons Learned
So, how did three days in the desert change my life? As I returned home and started to process the last few days, it all started to make sense. I read a quote not too long ago that said, “She spent the first half of life becoming who she needed to be. Now, she’s unraveling it all to become who she was born to be.” I certainly wasn’t lost. I had knowingly and willingly made sacrifices to build a life that I felt was important. I had just buried parts of me that didn’t fit society’s adult/wife/mom narrative: the wild and adventurous girl, the one who wasn’t afraid to take risks, and always approached new opportunities with an emphatic yes. Big Bend, in all its wild ways, brought the realization that I was already in the midst of this shift towards unraveling. It found a way to spark a renewed sense of energy and lit a fire for more adventure, bringing much-needed joy that only comes from hours of belly laughs and honest, soul-deep conversations. It gave me the courage to make hard decisions and remove the things in my life that were no longer serving me. It encouraged me to start seeking out more ways to push myself, to find pleasure in the little things, and to learn new skills. It also, admittedly, cost me a small fortune—I bought a new camera within a week of getting home.
If we’re honest with ourselves, that’s exactly what adventure does, though, right? It splits you open and reveals the most beautiful parts of your soul to yourself, creating a craving for more: more beauty, more risk, more awe. Allowing even the smallest of adventures to have access to those parts of you is what changes your life, and the micro-adjustments made afterward sometimes have the largest impact. To know yourself more, to experience the magic that this world has to offer, and to do it with people who bring out the best in you—that is truly living.
Images: Niki Olsen, Rachelle Croft, Ben Hutton, Matt Littlewood
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