I have been on about 9 backpacking trips out to Big Bend Ranch State Park (3 on Rancherias Loop, 6 to Solitario). I sorta remember the couples story. For the tv show, it was probably easier to shoot footage closer to the California studios (assuming that is where it is) than to take a more expensive trip to a remote area of Texas just to show a desert. Good pick up on the cactus..lol