re: Guadalupe Mountains/Carlsbad vs. Big Bend

I'll throw my vote in for Big Bend. Its hard to believe you are in Texas when you look at all the mountains around you. Driving River road, especially Terlingua to Presdio is spectacular. You can go miles without seeing another car. There is a little slot canyon along river road called "Closed Canyon" that only takes about an hour to hike roundtrip that makes for a good stop. There is a great hole-n-the-wall mexican food place in Presidio called The Oasis which had some abuela's in the back cooking. I had a religious experience eating the enchiladas there. El Patio is a nicer place with good food too.