Our Own Lone Star Legacy Park!

Congratulations to our friends at Indian Lodge/Davis Mountains State Park for their recent honor award as a Lone Star Legacy Park!  We couldn't agree more....the state park complex in Fort Davis; with the CCC-built Indian Lodge; views of the entire Davis Mountains vistas; a place to understand, appreciate and enjoy our high mountain desert flora and fauna...is extraordinary!

From the honoring organization's website, the Texas Recreation and Park Society:

"A Lone Star Legacy Park is a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the state of Texas. These parks have endured the test of time and have become iconic to those who have visited, played and rested on their grounds.  A designation as a Lone Star Legacy is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a park. "

Photo: DMSP

Photo: Indian Lodge

Congratulations to ALL, including all of us, who get to experience all the park has to offer!  As Texans, we are indeed lucky to have Indian Lodge and Davis Mountains State Park as our very own!

Thursday's Regional Event Summit...plan to attend! 

Click on the flyer for a closer view!

FREE Tri-County Event Planning Summit: February 27, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Big Bend Telephone Company community room in Alpine, Texas!  Do work with an organization that is planning a large event, music festival or fundraiser?   Do you work with a business that caters to tourists?  THIS SUMMIT IS FOR YOU.

Bring a list of your planned events from March 2014 through the end of May 2015, so we can build a comprehensive regional events calendar together!  Let's find opportunities in the calendar for strategic scheduling to boost our local economy, as well as opportunities for cooperative marketing.

Includes:  "Publicity 101: How to Get Media Attention for your Event"
with  KTSM 9 El Paso's Andra Litton, CBS7 Midland/Odessa Tatum Guinn,  KRTS General Manager Tom Michael, and Alpine Avalanche Jonathan Wimp

Enjoy live music from Terlingua singer/songwriter Trevor Richman and food from Alpine's Saddle Club!

We are grateful to our generous sponsors:  City of Alpine and the  Museum of the Big Bend with Sierra la Rana, St. James Episcopal Church, Hotel Paisano, Holland Hotel, Blue Sky Productions, Big Bend Resorts and Adventures, Saddle Club, Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, Gage Hotel, Maverick Inn, Century Bar and Grill, Texas Mountain Realty, Senator Jose Rodriquez.

Locally grown veggies at the Black Bear~

Thursday's special, a veggie omelet at the Black Bear
Restaurant at Indian Lodge outside Fort Davis

Texas Parks and Wildlife historic Indian Lodge's Black Bear Restaurant is now serving locally grown veggies from a private garden in their dishes.  Their source provides up to five varieties of tomatoes for the kitchen! 

Currently, the restaurant and Indian Lodge remain OPEN, although Davis Mountains State Park is closed until March.  Consider yourself invited!

A portion of a mural showing the history
of the Davis Mountains in Black Bear restaurant

Indian Lodge is OPEN!

While Davis Mountains State Park just outside Fort Davis is closed until March for infrastructure work, we want you to know that both the Indian Lodge and its Black Bear restaurant will remain OPEN! 

The park's website says this about the closure--"The closure is due to major upgrades being done on the park’s utility systems; in addition the trail system in the Limpia Canyon Primitive Area will be improved and six miles of trail added. The park’s new bird viewing area will also be completed during this time."

We were at Indian Lodge and its Black Bear Restaurant yesterday, and it was great to see the effect of this summer's monsoon rains.  The area is relatively green, the views are still spectacular and the CCC-built Indian Lodge still has that roomy gracious feel to it. 

Big Bend Ranch Rodeo by Raymond Merrill

Big Bend Ranch Rodeo by Raymond Merrill

One of our Facebook and Twitter friends, Raymond Merrill, made us very happy when he shared a group of photos with us of his trips to the region.  Though he lives in Virginia, his family has roots in the Texas Mountains. His great-grandfather, Jessie Merrill, donated land to make way for the development of Indian Lodge and Davis Mountains State Park.  Look for more of his photos in the coming days!

We love his shot of the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo, which takes place in early August every year in Alpine.  VisitAlpineTX  lists the rodeo this way on their website:

"Sanctioned by the Working Ranch Cowboy Association, the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo provides an opportunity for working cowboys to show real cowboy skills and at the same time celebrate our ranching heritage and create exposure for a unique American lifestyle."

To learn more about the Ranch rodeo, check out this article by Big Bend Now.com

Davis Mountains State Park's Indian Lodge

One of the most sought after reservations in our region is a night's stay at Fort Davis' Indian Lodge, in the center of Davis Mountains State Park.  The Indian Lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s continues to charm visitors with its quiet and scenic mountain location.

From the Lodge's website:

"Indian Lodge is a full-service, historic hotel with 39 rooms, a restaurant, a meeting room, and a swimming pool. Rest, relaxation, good food, swimming, mountain biking and hiking are among the activities the Lodge has to offer. The Lodge is located within the boundaries of Davis Mountains State Park and guest have full use of the recreation & educational activities available at the park. There are foot trails into the mountains that cross Davis Mountains State Park and a scenic trail to the Fort Davis National Historic Site.

Indian Lodge in Davis Mountains State Park

A favorite of the region is Indian Lodge in Davis Mountains State Park. Built in the 1930s, it was opened to the public in 1939.

The historic section of the lodge was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and features the original interiors and furnishings. In 1967, a major construction project was completed, including renovation of the original structure, which has 18-inch adobe walls, hand-carved cedar furniture, and ceilings of pine viga and latilla. It resembles a Southwestern Native-American-style, multilevel pueblo village. 

Beating the Heat on the Porches of Fort Davis

On hot summer days, porches beckon.  What better place to rest, and take in the soft desert mountain breezes?  Enjoy the shade, and some history at Fort Davis National Historic Site.
As you sit, you'll hear the bugle calls which signal the time of day and the work taking place at the Fort.  Visit our "Day at the Fort" pages to hear them! 

Other great Fort Davis area porches include the CCC-built Indian Lodge, of Southwestern Native-American-style adobe construction in the manner of a multi-level pueblo village.

Great porchsitting and hummingbird watching can be yours at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, just steps away from desert gardens and hiking trails.

Indian Lodge has a new website!

An old (and much beloved) favorite lodging option--Davis Mountains State Park's Indian Lodge--in our region just got a new website!  Click here! 

From the website:

"The historic section of the lodge was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and features the original interiors and furnishings. In 1967, a major construction project was completed, including renovation of the original structure, which has 18-inch adobe walls, hand-carved cedar furniture, and ceilings of pine viga and latilla. It resembles a Southwestern Native-American-style, multilevel pueblo village. Indian Lodge was voted the #1 accommodation in Texas by readers of Texas Highways magazine in 1992."

Want to stay there?  (You'll love it!)  This popular lodge enjoys full or nearly full occupancy much of the time...make your reservations well ahead of time!

Here's a park map!
Click here to learn more about the Civilian Conservation Corps' work at Davis Mountains State Park!

Beautiful Indian Lodge

A perennial favorite in our region is the historic Indian Lodge in Davis Mountains State Park!  A quiet place to relax during a trip to the mountains, travelers enjoy this beautiful adobe structure, which was built by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930s.

From the Lodge's website:

"Indian Lodge is a unique inn located in Jeff Davis County northwest of Fort Davis within the bounds of Davis Mountains State Park. Built in the 1930s, it was opened to the public in 1939. The historic section of the lodge was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and features the original interiors and furnishings. In 1967, a major construction project was completed, including renovation of the original structure, which has eighteen-inch adobe walls, hand-carved cedar furniture, and ceilings of pine viga and latilla. It resembles a Southwestern Native-American-style, multilevel pueblo village." 

The Indian Lodge is one of our region's best historic hotels, as you plan your next visit to the Texas Mountain Trail region, consider staying in one of them!  

12 Days of Christmas: Many Days of Adventure and Fun with the Texas State Parks Pass

Want room all to yourself?  View from a campsite at Big Bend Ranch State Park

The lovely interior of Fort Davis State Park's Indian Lodge, a CCC-built facility

Spring bloom of poppies at Franklin Mountains State Park

Another TERRIFIC buy for your holiday shopping that reaps benefit all year long...a Texas State Parks Pass, so you can enjoy visiting our wonderful Texas Mountain Trail region state parks!

Here's a link to information and instructions for purchasing your pass!

Our Texas Mountain Trail regional state parks!  Visit one soon!
Franklin Mountains State Park
Wyler Aerial Tramway
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site
Fort Leaton State Historic Site
Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Davis Mountain State Park (with Indian Lodge)
and just outside our region, but we'll claim it!  Balmorhea State Park

Give the gift of adventure and fun this holiday season with a state parks pass!

Views of Indian Lodge

One of the most beloved places in our region, Indian Lodge in Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis.  It is in fine shape, having survived area wildfires due to the work of park officials and fire fighters this spring. 

Open for business and ready for your visit, the historic section of the lodge was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and features the original interiors and furnishings. In 1967, a major construction project was completed, including renovation of the original structure, which has eighteen-inch adobe walls, hand-carved cedar furniture, and ceilings of pine viga and latilla. It resembles a Southwestern Native-American-style, multilevel pueblo village. Indian Lodge was voted the #1 accommodation in Texas by readers of Texas Highways magazine in 1992.

Enjoy relaxing in this lovely spot after hiking in the park, or take a dip in the mountainside pool!  Make your reservations in advance, for the Lodge is often full! 

Scenes from our Far West Texas Wildlife Trail Map launch parties!



Getting ready for the ribbon cutting behind Indian Lodge at Fort Davis' Davis Mountains State Park, June 2



Friends gather around information tables at Indian Lodge, June 2



El Paso's Channel 7 comes to the June 4 launch party at Keystone Heritage Park

Getting ready for the ribbon cutting at El Paso's Keystone Heritage Park!

We want to thank everyone who came out this week to celebrate the launch of our Far West Texas Wildlife Trail map in Fort Davis and El Paso! 

A special thanks to everyone who worked hard to bring this project to fruition--the members of our map committee (volunteers from all over the region); site nominees, managers and landowners; map sponsors and donors, friends who came to the events and hosted information tables (Friends of Big Bend National Park, McDonald Observatory, Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, Tierra Grande Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, The Nature Conservancy).  Also HUGE thanks to those who worked on the events themselves--Carol Edwards, the Tierra Grande Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists and Friends of Davis Mountains State Park, Linda Hedges, David Bischofhausen, Bernie Sargent, Rebecca Diaz, Hyatt Place El Paso Airport, Keystone Heritage Park, Scott Jordan and our friends of the Texas Pecos Trail, Mercer Black, Rob McCorkle, and especially Shelly Plante and the folks at TPWD.  Y'all are great!!  Thank you!

You can view the map online here. 

Because of state budget cuts, we need to revise our distribution of the map to the public.  Please check our main website early next month for a list of regional vendors who will be offering the map for sale! 

Today's Map Launch: Monahans Sandhills State Park in the Texas Pecos Trail region!

Yesterday we had a great launch party at Fort Davis' Indian Lodge.

This morning, head on over to Monahans Sandhills State Park in the Texas Pecos Trail region for the launch of the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail map! 

And then tomorrow, to El Paso's Keystone Heritage Park!  Join us!!

Join us this morning!

We're launching the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail Map this morning, followed by two more events this week!  Come join in the fun, receive your own map, and lots of free giveaways!

Thursday, June 2, we'll have an 8 am bird walk, starting from Fort Davis' Indian Lodge in Davis Mountains State Park, followed by a 10 am party.

Friday, June 3, there will be an event at Monahans Sandhills State Park.

Saturday (National Trails Day!), June 4, we'll hold a party at Keystone Heritage Park in El Paso, starting at 9:45 am

Celebrating the launch of the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail this week!

Collard lizard, photo courtesy of TPWD!

Starting tomorrow, we're celebrating the launch of the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail map, your guide to great places to go birding and wildlife viewing in the Texas Mountain Trail and the western portion of the Texas Pecos Trail region. 

Thursday, June 2, we'll have an 8 am bird walk, starting from Fort Davis' Indian Lodge in Davis Mountains State Park, followed by a 10 am party.

Friday, June 3, there will be an event at Monahans Sandhills State Park.

Saturday (National Trails Day!), June 4, we'll hold a party at Keystone Heritage Park in El Paso, starting at 9:45 am

Come join us!  There will be lots of fun giveaways and snacks at each event, and time to explore each location! 

What you could take home!!!

The back of the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail t-shirt

National Trails Day t-shirt

Next week, we'll be launching the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail at three parties...and you're invited to each of them!  At each party, we'll have drawings for lots of neat giveaways; including t-shirts, hats and lens cloths for the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail, as well as t-shirts for National Trails Day! 

Thursday, June 2, we'll have an 8 am bird walk, starting from Fort Davis' Indian Lodge in Davis Mountains State Park, followed by a 10 am party.

Friday, June 3, there will be an event at Monahans Sandhills State Park.

Saturday (National Trails Day!), June 4, we'll hold a party at Keystone Heritage Park in El Paso, starting at 9:45 am