The Destination Guide Travel Log from Brewster County and Big Bend National Park

Aug. 30, 2011 - PRLog -- Tuesday August 9th - Day 1

Flew into El Paso Airport - It is approx. 3.5 hours from Alpine, Tx(county seat for Brewster). Midland/Odessa is actually closer - but flights are usually less direct and cost more.
Arrived in Alpine around 9PM and checked into The Maverick Inn, www.themaverickinn.com - clean and comfortable rooms, with a feel of the Southwest.
10PM - Met up with Mike Davidson, Executive Director of Visit Big Bend, at the Railroad Blues Club, www.railroadblues.com, to go over our weeks itinerary.

Wednesday August 10th - Day 2

Ate Breakfast at a "little hole in the wall" can't remember the name, but great Tex-Mex Breakfast.
Shot some introductory footage of Alpine and then departed for Big Bend National Park around 11AM
From Alpine traveled South on 118, which is about an 1.5 hour trip to the National Park.
2PM - Stopped for lunch at Chili Pepper Cafe( Makes great fajitas and guacamole) in Study Butte/Terlingua - 3 miles from National Park Entrance
Checked into The Chisos Mountain Lodge, www.chisosmountainlodge.com, great views, great rooms, try and get cabin 103 - Best sunset view ever!
Went to Boquillas Canyon - great views of US/Mexico border. The Rio Grande, Domesticated Cattle, and wild Burros.
Looked at the preliminary stages of the soon to be reopened crossing gate on the border.
Sunset at the Chisos Mountain Lodge - great view from Restaurant of the sun setting over the Chisos.

Thursday August 11th - Day 3

7AM - Breakfast at Chisos Mountain Lodge - Huge portions!
8:30AM - Birding Tour with Mark Flippo, Park Ranger, around the Chisos Lodge vicinity.
11AM - Hiked the Lost Mine Trail - Lots of Deer, Amazing scenery!
1PM - Back at the Chisos Lodge for Lunch.
3PM - Went up to Panther Junction Station - To look at Interpretive and History of Big Bend.
5PM - Followed amazing Thunder Storm and Fires that were created in Canyon, heard and saw pictures of Black bear sightings right on the road!
Another amazing sunset at the Chisos Lodge!

Friday August 12th - Day 4

Departed the National Park and headed over to Study Butte/Terlingua.
Met up with "Big Don" and Larry Staton of Big Bend Resort and Adventures, www.foreverlodging.com, who took us on a 4 wheel drive tour of the Moon Valley area - Great to see during the day, but even more spectacular at night.
Next - Desert Golf and then lunch at the Local Big Bend Resort Cafe - Don't be fooled that it is part of a Gas Station - the food is good!
Headed over to Lajitas Resort and Spa, www.lajitas.com. The Resort is beautiful. Golf Course, Pools, Great Rooms, and a full service restaurant.
Met up with O.K. Estes who took us on a horse riding tour that leads up to the Park.
Dinner and Music at The Starlight Theater in Terlingua Ghost Town.

Saturday August 13th - Day 5

Slept at Lajitas Resort and Spa - Great Stay!
Hooked up with Golf Pro, who took us through layout of their Championship Course.
Met up with Linda Walker, owner of Lajitas Stables, www.lajitasstables.com.
Back to Lajitas Resort with Chef Ray Lopez who taught us how to smoke a Prime Rib.
Met back up with O.K. Estes who took us though their Live Cowboy Action Shoot.
Hopped back on 118 heading North back to Alpine.
Went to the Alpine Big Bend Ranch Rodeo and Chuck Wagon Cook-Off - Great fun!
Caught some live music at Railroad Blues and then headed back to Terlingua! Stayed at Casa Terlingua, www.casaterlingua.com
Whew, late night!

Sunday August 14th - Day 6

Saw Big Bend from a different vantage point - Up in the Air - with Marcos Paredes owner of Rio Aviation Inc., rioaviation.com
Brunch at the Chili Pepper and hooked up with Steve Wick, owner of Big Bend Expeditions. Went with him to learn about the areas that dinosaurs roamed.
Hooked back up with Mike Davidson at the Terlingua Ghost Town, and watched as the Pinchy Gringos did an impromptu performance at the Starlight Theater.
Stayed the night on top of the hill at the Ghost Town at the majestic La Posada Milagro, www.laposadamilagro.net

Monday August 15th - Day 7

Saw sunrise over Terlingua
Got back on 118 North and met up with Jennifer Wick, owner of Ten Bits Ranch, www.tenbitsranch.com, Great B&B located approx. 15 miles from Study Butte/Terlingua.
Jennifer took me for a tour of their property and showed off their spacious cabins, displayed in an Old Western Town motif.
Next Stop - Marathon, TX!
Gage Hotel, www.gagehotel.com, truly a treat! Great rooms, gardens, pool, fitness center, restaurant/bar, and plenty of friendly downtown culture.

Tuesday August 16th - Day 8

Some early morning Birding at Post Pena Colorado Park
Spa services at The Gage Hotel
Downtown Marathon and back to Alpine
Lunch at La Trattoria
A visit to the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University and a drive back to El Paso

Some Notes -

This is my second filming trip out to Big Bend. I was originally out there last October, when the river was up. I would suggest looking into doing at least a 1 day river trip, if not more. Another great local outfitter is Far Flung Outdoor Center, www.bigbendfarflung.com. They specialize in all sorts of River Excursions, Jeep, ATV Tours, as well as recently have finished some Cabins for lodging in Terlingua.

Also on my last trip I was able to drive the route of 170 west, which is a Top 10 scenic drive of the US. I would highly recommend this, especially as the sun is setting.

A final thought, if you are in the Alpine- Marathon region. There are great day trips that can be accessed to Fort Davis Observatory and the Chic, Artsy community of Marfa.

LW Out

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