In the News

We've added a page on the Texas Mountain Trail website to share news coverage about fun things to do in the area. Since our mission includes marketing to the traveler and assisting with economic development in our communities, we're happy to help media writers as they write about the Texas Mountain Trail.

Two articles are up now, one on Van Horn-based chef and her plans for a new restaurant in that town, the Sunflower Cafe; and a travel itinerary published in the El Paso Visitors Guide.

Take a look here!

Almost ready

In about a month, the Museum of the Big Bend will reopen in its new location on the Sul Ross State University campus in Alpine! If you're planning to visit the region this fall, consider including the museum in your itinerary...you'll love the new space.

A Main Street Success Story

A new place has opened up on Broadway in the center of Van Horn, welcoming tourists and locals for light meals, snacks, and a beautiful restful place off the highway.

There's a sign up that says, "Elevation, 4010. Blue Quail Coffee Shop. In the Land of the Conquistador, You Be the Explorer, Come Find Your Treasure." Paul Blankenburg, with the help of Van Horn's Economic Development Council and the Main Street program, bought this small adobe building, added a patio and completely renovated the space to give Van Horn a new oasis from the road.

Just as with the Heritage Trails Program, communities in the Main Street program participate in the Texas Historical Commission's statewide program, but the local communities organize their own revitalization programs. Successful ventures take an enormous amount of energy, work, and creativity to make a difference in small towns. Van Horn is centering its activity in the historic district--the Blue Quail Coffee Shop is across the street from the Clark Hotel Museum, down the block from the town's bank (a beautiful adobe building that was once the El Capitan Hotel), and near the intersection of highways 54 and 90--the true crossroads of the Texas Mountain Trail.

Sit in the front of Paul's place and you have a lovely view of Turtleback Mountain. Take a seat under the shade umbrellas on the patio, and enjoy a banana split or a wine produced near Marfa, or a broiled spam sandwich, and let your hours on the road melt away!