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.

Davis Mountains

Davis Mountains State Park

Davis Mountains was our first stop after returning to Texas. It was a long drive day going 326 miles from Elephant Butte, New Mexico, to the Davis Mountains in far west Texas. The Davis Mountains are named after Jefferson Davis. We camped here years ago with our kids. It is a beautiful area with cooler temperatures due to the elevation of over 5,000 feet.

We reserved a full hookup; 50 amp pull through site for eight nights. It was a nice site, but quite unlevel. Even with our Smart Level System, we had to put two boards under each front tire.

The scene of the campground below from Lookout Drive.

Indian Lodge with 39 hotel rooms, is the large white adobe building.

CCC hiking trails begin at this shelter at the end of Lookout Drive.

Jefferson Davis County Courthouse in Fort Davis

Mc Donald Observatory

A short twelve-mile drive through the mountains to the McDonald Observatory. This facility is considered a campus of University of Texas at Austin.

The Visitor Center houses an extensive space museum. This had been added since our last visit in 1989.

This iron meteorite weights 1520 pounds and was found by a seven-year-old just 15 miles from the Observatory in 1903.

These two telescopes are behind the visitor center. We enjoyed viewing Saturn and a star cluster containing over a thousand stars using these scopes when we returned in the evening for a Star Party.

We took a self-guided tour of the facilities. The Otto Struve Telescope, with an 82-inch mirror, sits on top of Locke Summit. 

The Hobby-Eberly 433-inch telescope sits on the Mount Fowlkes Summit.

On the Valley floor is the Visitor Center and Museum along with the 82-foot diameter radio telescope. This is one of a series of radio telescopes that make up the National Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). Looking south toward Marfa, Alpine, Big Bend National Park and Mexico.

We arrived back at the Observatory in the evening to view the stars at one of the best star viewing site in the nation.

Fort Davis National Historic Site

Fort Davis was a key post in the defense system of West Texas. From 1854 to 1891 troops were stationed to protect the emigrants, mail and travelers along the 600-mile San Antonio to El Paso Road. 

We had to dig out our jackets, hadn't needed them in quite a while.

Enlisted Men's Barracks

The restoration and preservation of the fort is a continuing effort.

The Fort Commissary

It was well stocked.

Two Story Officers Quarters

Commanding Officer's Quarters

Post Hospital

Inside the Post Hospital more people were treated for common ailments than for battle wounds.