Howdy!

My 9 year old daughter, husband and dog are hoping to head to West Texas to relax before summer ends. We are planning on making as far west as Fort Davis. We know we want to do the McDonald Observatory, plus the scenic loop drive. For any of you who live or have been there, do you have any other recommendations? Thanks!

Tour the old fort,it is worth it. do the scenic drive. Go to Marfa one night and see the lights (they really are there). Eat at the Limpia hotel. and enjoy the cool mountain air. If you do a star party at the observatory be sure and take a nice jacket, it will be cold up that high.

Love that part of the state. Used to do Living History and would have events at Ft. Davis. Fun area!

for some night life, the railroad blues bar in Alpine may be worth checking out; it is very entertaining. Also a very wide selection of beers.

I have camped at the state park with my kids since 1997. Great camping area. They also have a great hotel in the park that I would highly recommend. The park is beautiful. The only thing I don't see mentioned is ice cream with the kids at the drug store restuarant in FD.

I recommend cooling off at Balmorhea state park when you are out here. Great spot to spend an afternoon in a giant spring fed pool that's right off I-10.
I also 2nd Railroad Blues and the Holland Hotel is a great place to stay in Alpine. If you don't mind spending a bit more the Gage Hotel in Marathon Tx is a desert oasis.

The loop is a great drive and Ft. Davis can easily be toured in an afternoon. Enjoy the trip!

Are the balmorhea pools open again? I heard they were closed for a bit. Maybe I'm misremembering.

They say Balmorea is open again

Eat in Marfa at Jett's Grill at the Paisano Hotel. Also go see the Marfa lights. Very interesting.

Thanks so much for the suggestions! We are planing on driving out on a Saturday EARLY to make good time to get out there. We are super excited about going

I'm out here for work in fort Stockton today, alpine tomorrow. heading back to Houston on friday.

I'll just miss you. I would have invited you to tour my funeral home in alpine. Kids love funeral homes right?

Eat at the Riatta in alpine. Get the carne asada.

Reading fail:
Thought you said THIS saturday

A little late here, I was in Alpine over last weekend, enjoyed the visit quite a bit. Went to the 06 Cowboys baseball game at Kokernot Field, and a childhood friend hosted a retirement party at her place west of town. About 100 people showed, two bands, good friends, heard it lasted till 5:45 am. We left for the hotel at 2:30.

Marfa lights
the Judd exhibit - Marfa (Chaniti?)
Hotel Paisano - Marfa
Mia's Resturant - Marfa

(we obviouly like Marfa)

In Marathon, the Gage Hotel, resturnat and their garden

If you've gone that far, you might as well go to Terilunga - Ghost Town and Lajitas. very cool

Starlight Resturant in Terilunga at dusk, the only place to watch a sunset looking East. Trust me, it is worth it.

Finally - Big Bend National Park - Chisos Mtn Lodge and hiking area. A big bowl in the Mountians with one heck of a view.

At 8,000 feet above sea level you are looking down in the valley at Terrilunga 20 miles away.



[This message has been edited by Steve Keathley 89 (edited 7/26/2012 6:53p).]