Home Sweet Home:
Well, we made it. You might think after all the wonders we have seen, being back in Texas is kind of a let down. It is not. From the moment we entered Texas we just knew we were home. That doesn't mean we are gonna stay, and our travels are over, but just that there is a sense of peace about being where we understand the people, and the government, and the weather and the traffic signs, etc. It is just home. Our roots are here, our people are here, our personal history is here. Can't wait to travel away again so we can come home again. We plan on being here about two months so we can love on all our kids and friends, do some things on the Fiver, and plan our next adventure. In two months we will most certainly get what RV'ers call "Hitch Itch" and we will be ready to roll.
Last time I posted we were leaving Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. It was a sight you need to see. From there we went to Alpine Tx. back in God's country. Alpine is in the Big Bend area, but still about 100 miles north of the Big Bend National park. We had planned to go further south to Terlingua Tx, (of chili cook off fame) but we wanted the extra time in Ruidosa so we dropped Terlingua from the travel plans. As it turned out that was a great happenstance. On our day trip to Big Bend NP and Terlingua we found it was not to our liking. Big Bend NP was interesting, and some parts were really pretty, but Terlingua was a huge disappointment.
It is barely a town, much less a tourist center. It was dry, almost barren, and depressing. A week stay there would have been almost impossible. As much as you need to see the caverns in Carlsbad, you don't need to visit Terlingua at all. Big Bend was okay, and I admit we only saw the western half, so maybe it ought to be on your list of places to see, but go there before going to New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, or Colorado.
Alpine was a neat little town, which actually has a college. Sul Ross College is there and it is a very nice looking institution. The town itself is clean, the people are nice, but unremarkable. The nicest part for us was the Lost Alaskan RV Park, and its central location for visiting the sights around the area. It is close to Marfa (Marfa lights), Ft Davis (the actual Fort Davis fort, McDonald Observatory, and Ft Davis State Park), and Marathon (smallest Target store in the world and the Gage Hotel). Marfa also has the smallest Prada store in the world, but we did not see it.
Ft Davis State Park was nice, and if there is a next time we will probably stay there. Mom and Mati took a hike with me at the park.
Ft Davis is an old US Army fort built in the mid 1800's, and restored so visitors can see what Army life on the western frontier was like. It was hard.
Of course the Army was there to quell the Indians causing trouble so you would think most fatalities were from arrows and scalping. Not so. Most deaths were from disease, poor conditions, poor nutrition, and horrible medical care. Going to the base hospital was almost a death sentence, so most did not go unless they were already deathly ill. Then they died from the treatment at the hospital. Nobody knew about viruses and germs at the time. By the way, the death rate was recorded as fairly low because if you were really in bad shape they discharged you from the army before you died so it would count against them. Sounds like VA today. Surprise.
Our next day trip was to Marathon Tx, about 30 miles east of Alpine. The only point of interest here was the Gage Hotel. It was originally a rich guys hunting retreat which was later turned into a hotel for rich guys to visit and hunt. It has been kept for the most part as it was originally. If you're going by, stop, if not don't make special trip. IMHO
Last day trip was to the McDonald Observatory.
We went to a Star Party. There was an interesting talk about the stars in our galaxy and they had a number of telescopes available to look into the very dark West Texas sky. We clearly saw Saturn and its rings along with a half dozen other star clusters. Star clusters looked like starry fuzz but Saturn was the big thrill. After we left the observatory about 10 pm we headed to the official viewing sight for the Marfa Lights. There was a crowd of people at 11 pm on a Friday night, so we were not alone. We saw the lights in the first 10 minutes we were there, and they continued to appear off and on until we left about an hour later. The marker on the front of the very elaborate viewing area (it even had bathrooms) said the lights were first reported by a cowboy in the late 1800's, (no random car lights then) and the Indians had been watching them long before that. We thought it would be kinda hokey, but they were really there and hard to explain.
Next stop was Seminole State Park. Biggest claim to fame here was we were only a few miles from the Rio Grande and the border with Mexico. We did not see any illegal aliens, but we did see a ton of border patrol. We even had to stop twice for border patrol inspection stations. No body cavities were checked at either station.
Second to last stop was Garner State Park near Leakey Tx.
Leakey was the town Jim and Judy Bennett called their second home for many years. It is a beautiful part of Texas (hill country) we really hadn't seen and we enjoyed very much. Garner SP is near the cities of Uvaldi, and Bandera, and not too far from Kerrville. The park was beautiful and the Rio Frio River runs through it. It is very well cared for, parking spots are widely spaced, and nearly empty during the week while we were there.
We liked the area so much we looked for a place to stay over the winter months before we head east. There are a number of parks nearby, but mostly filled already for the winter, so we are still hoping for a place in Gulf Shores Ala. I took several good hikes in the park (only got lost once). We took a short day trip to Lost Maples State Park about 25 miles away to see the fall colors in the lost maples. Did not see much color, but did enjoy the drive. The most fun was when Mom and I met up with Ed and Pat Silva, some people we met in Sante Fe the first week we were on our trip. They had been in the Kerrville area for a while, and they showed us a great place to eat (in Bandera) and some of the local sights. Oh yeah, Ed and Pat had lived at Hideaway Lake before they went full time, but we had to drive to Sante Fe to meet them.
Last stop was Inks Lake State Park just outside Burnett Tx. Again a beautiful setting with a beautiful lake just outside our back porch.
I hiked over to the Devils Watering Hole to see where the teenagers jump off the vertical rock cliffs into the water,
hoping there are no rocks below the surface, and enough water to stop their plunge. Lot of warning signs to that effect, with little to no effect on the kids I suspect. No one was jumping into the ice cold water that day.
From Inks Lake we parked for a few days in Liberty Hill Corp of Engineers camping area. We have been there before, as have most of you. They still have an infestation of Argentine Ants, and we got some for the road. (Boo) Russ and Karen on their way back from Houston happen to stop there the day before we arrived, so we had a chance to spend time with them while we were there. The best thing about LH is it is near Corsicana, so we got to start visiting our kids and grands whom we have not see in months.
Maiden voyage is now officially finished. We are back in Tyler parked in our private spot. I think we can say the voyage was a success, but think I'm gonna save my thoughts and summary of the trip for my next installment. I can say we learned a lot and saw a lot, and overall had a wonderful time. I also don't think Mom is ready to hang up our traveling shoes yet, and I know I am not. There is just too much more to see and do. So, until next time, these are just some ramblings from an old Rockin' RoVer rocking and roving on. Thanks.
Well, we made it. You might think after all the wonders we have seen, being back in Texas is kind of a let down. It is not. From the moment we entered Texas we just knew we were home. That doesn't mean we are gonna stay, and our travels are over, but just that there is a sense of peace about being where we understand the people, and the government, and the weather and the traffic signs, etc. It is just home. Our roots are here, our people are here, our personal history is here. Can't wait to travel away again so we can come home again. We plan on being here about two months so we can love on all our kids and friends, do some things on the Fiver, and plan our next adventure. In two months we will most certainly get what RV'ers call "Hitch Itch" and we will be ready to roll.
Last time I posted we were leaving Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. It was a sight you need to see. From there we went to Alpine Tx. back in God's country. Alpine is in the Big Bend area, but still about 100 miles north of the Big Bend National park. We had planned to go further south to Terlingua Tx, (of chili cook off fame) but we wanted the extra time in Ruidosa so we dropped Terlingua from the travel plans. As it turned out that was a great happenstance. On our day trip to Big Bend NP and Terlingua we found it was not to our liking. Big Bend NP was interesting, and some parts were really pretty, but Terlingua was a huge disappointment.
 |
| Excellent description. |
It is barely a town, much less a tourist center. It was dry, almost barren, and depressing. A week stay there would have been almost impossible. As much as you need to see the caverns in Carlsbad, you don't need to visit Terlingua at all. Big Bend was okay, and I admit we only saw the western half, so maybe it ought to be on your list of places to see, but go there before going to New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, or Colorado.
 |
| This is the Rincon Basin at Big Bend. The V is called the window, and you can see about 60 miles. |
Ft Davis State Park was nice, and if there is a next time we will probably stay there. Mom and Mati took a hike with me at the park.Ft Davis is an old US Army fort built in the mid 1800's, and restored so visitors can see what Army life on the western frontier was like. It was hard.
 |
| This doesn't look too bad, but it was a rough life. |
Of course the Army was there to quell the Indians causing trouble so you would think most fatalities were from arrows and scalping. Not so. Most deaths were from disease, poor conditions, poor nutrition, and horrible medical care. Going to the base hospital was almost a death sentence, so most did not go unless they were already deathly ill. Then they died from the treatment at the hospital. Nobody knew about viruses and germs at the time. By the way, the death rate was recorded as fairly low because if you were really in bad shape they discharged you from the army before you died so it would count against them. Sounds like VA today. Surprise.
Our next day trip was to Marathon Tx, about 30 miles east of Alpine. The only point of interest here was the Gage Hotel. It was originally a rich guys hunting retreat which was later turned into a hotel for rich guys to visit and hunt. It has been kept for the most part as it was originally. If you're going by, stop, if not don't make special trip. IMHO
Last day trip was to the McDonald Observatory.
We went to a Star Party. There was an interesting talk about the stars in our galaxy and they had a number of telescopes available to look into the very dark West Texas sky. We clearly saw Saturn and its rings along with a half dozen other star clusters. Star clusters looked like starry fuzz but Saturn was the big thrill. After we left the observatory about 10 pm we headed to the official viewing sight for the Marfa Lights. There was a crowd of people at 11 pm on a Friday night, so we were not alone. We saw the lights in the first 10 minutes we were there, and they continued to appear off and on until we left about an hour later. The marker on the front of the very elaborate viewing area (it even had bathrooms) said the lights were first reported by a cowboy in the late 1800's, (no random car lights then) and the Indians had been watching them long before that. We thought it would be kinda hokey, but they were really there and hard to explain.
Next stop was Seminole State Park. Biggest claim to fame here was we were only a few miles from the Rio Grande and the border with Mexico. We did not see any illegal aliens, but we did see a ton of border patrol. We even had to stop twice for border patrol inspection stations. No body cavities were checked at either station.
Second to last stop was Garner State Park near Leakey Tx.
Leakey was the town Jim and Judy Bennett called their second home for many years. It is a beautiful part of Texas (hill country) we really hadn't seen and we enjoyed very much. Garner SP is near the cities of Uvaldi, and Bandera, and not too far from Kerrville. The park was beautiful and the Rio Frio River runs through it. It is very well cared for, parking spots are widely spaced, and nearly empty during the week while we were there.
 |
| This is a pano of park during the week.. Nobody home 'cept us. |
 |
| These are wild turkeys. Saw dozens. Made me think of my fam. |
We liked the area so much we looked for a place to stay over the winter months before we head east. There are a number of parks nearby, but mostly filled already for the winter, so we are still hoping for a place in Gulf Shores Ala. I took several good hikes in the park (only got lost once). We took a short day trip to Lost Maples State Park about 25 miles away to see the fall colors in the lost maples. Did not see much color, but did enjoy the drive. The most fun was when Mom and I met up with Ed and Pat Silva, some people we met in Sante Fe the first week we were on our trip. They had been in the Kerrville area for a while, and they showed us a great place to eat (in Bandera) and some of the local sights. Oh yeah, Ed and Pat had lived at Hideaway Lake before they went full time, but we had to drive to Sante Fe to meet them.
Last stop was Inks Lake State Park just outside Burnett Tx. Again a beautiful setting with a beautiful lake just outside our back porch.
I hiked over to the Devils Watering Hole to see where the teenagers jump off the vertical rock cliffs into the water,
hoping there are no rocks below the surface, and enough water to stop their plunge. Lot of warning signs to that effect, with little to no effect on the kids I suspect. No one was jumping into the ice cold water that day.
From Inks Lake we parked for a few days in Liberty Hill Corp of Engineers camping area. We have been there before, as have most of you. They still have an infestation of Argentine Ants, and we got some for the road. (Boo) Russ and Karen on their way back from Houston happen to stop there the day before we arrived, so we had a chance to spend time with them while we were there. The best thing about LH is it is near Corsicana, so we got to start visiting our kids and grands whom we have not see in months.
Maiden voyage is now officially finished. We are back in Tyler parked in our private spot. I think we can say the voyage was a success, but think I'm gonna save my thoughts and summary of the trip for my next installment. I can say we learned a lot and saw a lot, and overall had a wonderful time. I also don't think Mom is ready to hang up our traveling shoes yet, and I know I am not. There is just too much more to see and do. So, until next time, these are just some ramblings from an old Rockin' RoVer rocking and roving on. Thanks.
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