Escapee Coop Park - Hondo, Texas

After leaving Seminole Canyon we made a month long stop at Lone Star Corral Escapee Coop Park. It is located about 40 miles straight west from San Antonio.

San Antonio Museum of Art

One day we visited the SA Art Museum which is located in the original site of the Lone Star Brewery in the downtown area. The Brewery opened its doors in 1884 and in 1921 it was transformed into cotton mills and later sold to the city of San Antonio in 1977 to become its new Museum of Art. A diverse collection of oil paintings, artifacts and ancient sculptures were on display. In 2009 the San Antonio River Walk expanded to include this Art Museum.

Artwork from New Britain, Melanesia.

The Miraflores Estate Arch was relocated one mile to the museum courtyard from the estate of Dr. Aureliano Urrutia.

18th Century Maria Altar Screen from Bolivia

A glass ceiling composed of blown glass created by Dale Chihuly, Tacoma, Washington. This had special meaning to us, because we visited Dale Chihuly Glassworks in Tacoma in 2016.

SAS Factory Tour

We took a tour of the SAS Factory (San Antonio Shoe Factory). We enjoyed the tour, but they didn't allow photographs. We learned that every shoe is handmade and inspected for quality before distribution. We also saw them making special shoes for a military contract. After seeing how well these shoes are made, we appreciate the high price tag on them.

The original SAS Factory is now an outlet store and gift shop. Buying them factory direct provided a discount. 

The owners had an outdoor classic car collection.

Virginia's new "Blue Suede Shoes". 

Trip to Baltimore

Since our motorhome was safe at a Coop Park, we decided to fly out of San Antonio Airport to visit with family.

Flying Southwest got us a direct flight to Baltimore to visit with our daughter's family. The fall colors were at their peak. It has been many years since we have seen that beauty.

Our grandsons got Grandpa to join them in a game.

Hannah has learned a new skill, crocheting. 

Then on to Michigan

We flew Southwest again, direct from Baltimore to Detroit to visit with Virginia's sister and her husband. 

We were welcomed with a beautiful and delicious cookie bouquet.

Seminole Canyon

Seminole Canyon State Park

After leaving the Davis Mountains we drove about 200 miles east to Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site. We had a 50 amp pull through site in this quiet, arid, desert park.

The Visitor Center, located on the rim of Seminole Canyon, houses a very modern and professional museum. 

We signed up for a two-hour ranger led hike into the canyon to view the prehistoric rock art.

The only way to view these protected paintings is with a guide.

There are numerous, water carved, rock shelters throughout the canyon.

Carbon dating placed these pictographs at 4,000 years old and some as old as 9,000 years.

The paint was made from red, yellow, white and black rocks ground and mixed with animal oils.

The end of the trail marked by this very old Mesquite tree. Time to head back up.

Judge Roy Bean

We drove 20 miles west to Langtry, Texas, population 30. Judge Bean was known in the late 1880s as the "Law West of the Pecos."

He conducted his "judging" business on the porch of his saloon called The Jersey Lilly.

The Judge figured when court adjourned, and sometimes even during court, everyone would step inside for drinks.

Judge Bean residence behind the saloon which he called the Opera House.

He lived very modestly.

Behind the Texas Department of Transportation Visitor Center and Museum is a very well-maintained desert botanical garden.

Pecos River Gorge and Bridge

At 273 feet above the river, it is the highest highway bridge in Texas.

Built in 1957, the bridge is 1310 feet long.

Having been to the Pecos River headwaters near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in July, it was interesting to see its confluence at the Rio Grande River. Just beyond this point, the Rio Grande flows into the Amistad Reservoir west of Del Rio.

Davis Mountains Side Trips

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

Four miles east of Fort Davis is the CDNC. This desert botanical garden is in the foothills of the Davis Mountains at an elevation of 5100 feet.

Hiking trails, a mining exhibit, pollinator garden and a bird blind are also available.

Mitre Peak

This is where the young cacti are grown for the Cactus Museum Collection.

The large greenhouse is home to many varieties of cacti. Some of the non-native plants require protection from winter weather.

Mining Exhibit displays the history of mining in the area.

Marfa, Texas

Presidio County Courthouse in Marfa, Texas was built in 1886.

We climbed the rotunda stairs to the top.

The cupola has a 360-degree view of Marfa and the surrounding area.

Davis Mountains off in the distance.

The Hotel Paisano is where the cast and crew of Giant stayed during the filming of the movie in 1955.

This is considered one of the nicest hotels in west Texas. Rock Hudson, Liz Taylor and James Dean stared in the movie.

Paisano Hotel Lobby

The newest observation center to view the Marfa Lights. The Marfa (Ghost) Lights along US 90 just east of Marfa have intrigued observers for centuries. We did not return to see them at night.

Roadside mural scene along US 90 at Wyatt Ranch reminds us of where Giant was filmed.

Alpine, Texas

We walked the streets and enjoyed the colorful murals painted on the sides of Alpine buildings.

The Brewster County Courthouse was built in 1877.

This mural depicts famous Texas musicians and vocal artists.

We enjoyed a nice lunch at the renowned Reata Restaurant in downtown Alpine.