We're going to Big Bend in August and I'm thinking about adding a night in one of these places on the way out there. We would like to just go over to have dinner and a few drinks, not looking for the Donkey Show or tequila shots. I feel these are much safer than Nuevo Laredo, which I really miss. Any recs?

Spend an extra night in Big Bend or go check out the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis.

We love, love, love Acuna. It's been a few years since I've been.

My favorite bar is La Macarena which is a block or two east of the main strip and several blocks south. It is really nice and has excellent food and drinks. It's decorated with a bullfighting theme (I've heard the owners also own the bullfighting arena in Acuna) and if you ask the bartender, he will play bullfighting tapes for you.

I also like Crosbys--very good food.

We stay at "Hotel Crystal" which is a block east of the main strip and about half a block north of Crosbys. The hotel itself sucks, but it is quite an experience. There are several other hotels that are nicer, but I've never stayed in them. Crystal is super-cheap. We've parked our car in the parking lot on the American side and walked over carrying our bags. I have, twice, driven my car across and parked in the parking court of the hotel and the car has been fine.

I'm jealous. I want to go! I love Big Bend and I love Acuna.

I second the McDonald Observatory but if I had to pick I would choose Acuna.

Either way, enjoy Big Bend! We loved it. Also, if you like horseback riding, there is a good place right outside the park in Study Butte, before you get to Terlingua.

dont go to piedras, but if you do, eat at Moderno's, its the only decent place over there

how can you consider mexico and not consider the donkey show?

i'd go to acuna. but i've never been to piedra negras.

Thanks for the info. I have eaten at the Restaurante Moderno once, it reminded me alot of El Dorado in Nuevo Laredo. This will be my wifes first trip to Big Bend, I've been twice for work. We are going in August and staying the first night at The Gage (Marathon), two nights in a stone cottage at the Basin, 1 night at The Hotel Paisano (Marfa), and the final night at The Indian Lodge (Fort Davis). We are going to try to go over to Ojinaga for a couple hours on the way to Marfa. Anyone been there? I wish to hell I could have gone to Boquillas del Carmen before 9/11. can't wait to eat at the Starlight Theatre, mmmmm.

quote:

---

My wife is in Hell where I sent her. She could make good biscuits but her behavior was terrible - Po Campo

quote:

---

If they are letting you cross into Mexico from Big Bend, check out Boquillas or Santa Elena.

After 911 the govt would not let you cross the river anymore. I am not sure if that is still the case.

They are small towns but interesting to go and see.

Take some beer and do the hot springs in Big Bend while you are there.

Ojinaga across from Presidio is really nice for a small border town.

I've heard that they aren't letting you cross into Boquillas or Santa Elena. We went in April 2003 and crossed into both. Spent a fabulous drunken day in Boquillas. It was just like "Gringo Honeymoon" only we opted for a truck ride into town instead of the donkey. We were in Santa Elena on Easter Sunday, so not much going on. We simply waded across the river and walked around. We did eat at a little restaurant there.

I love Indian Lodge--I have very fond memories of staying there when I was a kid. Sounds like a great trip!

Try to check out Langtry, Texas if you haven't before: http://www.americansouthwest.net/texas/langtry/index.html

Seminole Canyon State Park is also nice: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/seminole_canyon/

[This message has been edited by aggiegal99 (edited 6/14/2007 9:59a).]

Go to Acuna and stay at the Hotel San Antone. It’s on the main strip and is a very nice hotel by border town Mexico standards. If you get there during the day, nothing beats sitting at Ma Crosby’s and drinking margaritas or corona’s and munching on good food. The Corona Club is right across the street and is a fun time and so is La Macarena which was mentioned earlier.

As far as crossing in Big Bend to Boquillas, you still aren’t allowed to do it. I still go over there but we have land that borders the southern side of the park and we saddle our own horses and cross over and wind our way through the mountains.

If you have time, I highly recommend hiking out to the South Rim in Big Bend. I think it’s about a 12 mile round trip hike from Chisos Basin. You can also hike out to Emory Peak which is about a 8 or 9 mile round trip hike. While Big Bend is beautiful from a vehicle, you simply cannot see the most beautiful places without getting out and walking.

Agree that the South Rim hike is wonderful. I first hiked it with my dad when I was about 12. There are a few other Chisos Basin hikes that are shorter and get you up into the mountains, but the South Rim is the grandaddy of them all.

If your wife totally isn't into hiking, at least do the very, very short hikes into Boquillas canyon, Santa Elena Canyon and the "nature trail" at Rio Grande Village. And the hot springs.

Crosby's in Acuna


Used to hunt in Alta Loma, about 30 miles north of Del Rio, and every year we took a trip into Acuna for margaritas and so the womenfolk could buy all the turquoise and pewter shiit they could carry.

quote:

---

I still go over there but we have land that borders the southern side of the park and we saddle our own horses and cross over and wind our way through the mountains.

---

Can I marry you?

Have you read Cormac McCarthy's border trilogy?

I was thinking the same thing aggiegal99.

Damn.....two proposals in the same thread? Today is a good day!

McCarthy's books are wonderful books and describe life in the decollate area extremely well. What most people fail to realize when reading his books is that the way of life described in the books was alive and well all the way through the 90’s in that part of the State. I spent every summer of my childhood and teen years working in the area and I promise you that stories from the books and scenes from Lonesome Dove are not stretching the truth at all. I’ve seen and done some crazy things along the Rio Grande.

Hotel San Antone is the only place I'd stay in Acuna. Crosby's or Lando's for food.

Country-
I think we're talking about two different books.
Larry McMurtry wrote Lonesome Dove.

Cormac McCarthy wrote All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, and Cities of The Plain (his border trilogy). I've only read the first two, but they are beautiful depictions of the border area

I was just using Lonesome Dove as a visual example for anyone that hasn't read McCarthy's books. We had an experience very similar to the scene in Lonesome Dove when they rode over into Mexico to steal their horses back (minus the drunk Irishmen of course )

You really need to read the 3rd one. I thought the 1st and 3rd were the best and the 2nd was good.

Okay. I'm still interested in marrying you! (just don't tell my husband)

Y'all get a room, you're jacking my thread.

Sorry. I thought you had already gotten your answer! Go to Acuna, stay at Hotel San Antone. Spend the afternoon at Macarena drinking margaritas, shop a bit, dinner at Crosby's, nightcap at Corona Club, and go to bed. Then breakfast at Crosby's again and a final shopping splurge.

Or maybe that is what I would do if I had 18 hours in Acuna.

I'm sorry but you started talking about Mexico and all that and I just couldn't help myself.

If my wife ok's it maybe we could have the ceremony in Acuna and have a hell of a party following. Wimberly can be the best man. What'd you say aggiegal?

Sounds great...anything to get me out of Oklahoma!

I wanted to do the trip Wimberly is planning for my honeymoon. My husband said no. We spent a week skiing and eating in Taos instead (which was very awesome).

Looks like the consensus here is for Del Rio/Acuna. I had heard that the crossing restrictions had really hurt Boquillas and people were leaving. I want to go see Ernst Tenaja and take Old Maverick Road to see Luna's Jacal. I hear there has been quite a bit of rain out there so hopefully it's pretty green, by desert standards. Thanks for all the suggestions and any more you may have.

I found this interesting link on Boquillas. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976730086
I have one of these sticks that I bought by the Boquillas Canyon trail.

[This message has been edited by WimberleyAg (edited 6/15/2007 7:02a).]