So despite being sick as a dog, it looks like I'm headed to Marfa, TX to visit Big Bend.....in 20 degree weather! Have any of you ever been here? On Google Earth, it looks like a small town with not much goin on. Can anyone make any recommendations on things to do besides Big Bend, places to eat, bars, etc....any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks.
Big Bend is actually a pretty neat place. Marfa, not too much although if you see the lights, its pretty neat. They actually have a tourist place to stop at and see the lights now off the highway. Marathon and Alpine are actually neat little towns close by, a lot of folks have started retiring there and the area is attracting a lot of writers and artists. In Marathon you could stay or eat at the famous Gage Hotel. http://www.gagehotel.com/ A quick drive up to Fort Davis will allow you to visit the McDonald observatory, that is also a neat part of the state in those mountains. A note about Big Bend: Its huge and empty. If you don't have a satellite phone, stop by the park rangers stations and check in, let them give you a way to go through the park that fits the vehicle you are in. Also check back in with them when you are leaving. Car trouble in the middle of Big Bend is a little dangerous, letting the rangers know where you are going is a good idea.
I actually believe were hittin up the observatory in Ft Davis. IIRC, 67 rolls through Alpine, so I guess I'll check that town out before I roll into Marfa. Gonna google this "Marfa Lights" thing since Ive never heard of it.... Thanks for the info!
Play golf at the nearly mile-high golf course, or at least hit some balls so that you can claim that you added 50 yards to your drives? http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/usa/texas/marfa/marfa-municipal-golf-course-public.html You should go to Fort Davis, to the observatory, to the Fort, and to some of the historical sites in town. There's a lot of Old West history there. I'm going back out to Big Bend in the Spring, I love it out there.
After a quick google search.....ghost lights? WTF? This works out pretty well as I'll be rollin into town via 67 tonight....heck I might see these "ghost lights" driving in!
That whole area is great. Marathon has the Gage Hotel which has awesome food. Best Blueberry Cobbler I've ever had. Terlingua has the the Starlight lounge as far bar/entertainment goes. The part itself is huge, and there is a ton to do. Don't miss the hot springs.
The observatory outside of Fort Davis is great, try and make time for it if you can. We spent Spring Break a couple of years ago in the area. Alpine was a nice little waystation, with not much to do. We did drive over to catch the Marfa lights. Pretty interesting, my husbands theory was that it was ranchers with colored flashlights. There is a rest stop on the highway (can't miss it) set up to watch the lights.
It could be a long cold night, but if you see the Marfa lights you will be amazed -- they are really weird. My dad saw them years ago -- it's definitely some sort of natural phenomena (not car headlights or aliens).
Its definitely NOT headlights or flashlights because the reports of these lights go back to before there were cars.
My grandmother lives in Sanderson, TX, which is basically dead center in the middle of nowhere (and the setting for No Country for Old Men). That part of Texas is so empty its amazing. On a clear, cold night I love driving outside of town about 10 miles away from all the man made lights, parking, and checking out the stars, its amazing. Also, outside Marfa, there is a freaky looking DEA blimp that can apparently watch a huge chunk of the desert looking for drug smugglers.
