Howdy Mr Rusty,
I'll check out the Big Bend ride and others. You'll like Utah with Moab and the Green River areas to roam. I took my 690 in May of '16 to Green River and rode with a pack of 30 something experts. Giant rock slabs, sand, creeks and lots of scenery. Moab is like being on the moon and great. Drop your counter sprocket a tooth or two first. I've been riding all the great back country roads around Travis Lake on my KTM 1190 and am ready to find some dirt for my 690 that is getting bored in the garage. Enjoy the desert and fill up your camel back.