Angi English Snaps Sauceda

Flickr found these amazing shots by Photographer Angi English of Big Bend Ranch State Park and the Sauceda Ranch House that you can rent out for the night. Awesome photos, Angi!

The nearly lost community of Alamito

Every so often, a new road beckons...and while you never know what you'll see, sometimes you'll get a glimpse into an area's past. 

This was the case with our recent drive down FM169 south of Marfa, to the (nearly) lost community of Alamito.

We drove through the grasslands and Chihuahuan Desert ranchland, across arroyos and by green shady areas, made possible by Alamito Creek.

Soon, we arrived...at one of those green areas, blessed with trees, to find this adobe building, minus a roof, but protected by a shade structure.

The marker reads:

"Alamito Creek has been a passageway and the scene of human activity since prehistoric times. Spanish explorers began traveling through the region in 1535. Mexican families began to settle in the area about 1715 and established rancheros despite an Apache presence. Beginning in the 1850s, the infamous Chihuahua Trail, a route for heavy freight wagons from San Antonio to Chihuahua, Mexico, passed near Alamito.

By 1870 Alamito was a community with several families farming and working on nearby ranches. John Davis, a pioneer from North Carolina, was a strong community leader. He married Francisca Herrera, the daughter of Carlos Herrera, one of the first Spanish settlers of Alamito, in 1875. They built a home with a chapel, one-room school, and a canal for crop irrigation. Davis was known for serving peach brandy to weary travelers who came through on the Chihuahua Trail. Francisca died in 1892 and was buried near the chapel in Alamito. The grief-stricken Davis went back to North Carolina and never returned to this area.

The legendary railroad known as the "Road to Topolabampo" was the result of a longtime dream of A. E. Stilwell, railroad builder and urban promoter, for a rail line from Kansas City to Mexico's west coast. It passed through Alamito in 1930. The Railroad dug a deep well, constructed a tank to water the steam engines, built a section house for workers, and renamed the site Plata. At the end of the 20th century, only ruins of the Davis-Herrera home, school, cemetery and canal remain. Ruts of the Chihuahua Trail can still be seen in the bedrock north of Alamito. "
How to get there?   Drive 7 mi. south of Marfa on US 67, then left at FM169 and  24 mi. south to Alamito Creek.

Have you found a Cactus Wren nest?

If you're a first-time visitor to our Chihuahuan Desert, you will likely be delighted by your first sighting of a cactus wren nest.  We recently spotted this one on private land in Presidio County, south of Marfa, on Cibolo Creek Ranch, but really, you can find them almost anywhere in the Texas Mountain Trail region.

Here's a link to more information about the Cactus Wren.

It is the largest wren found in the U.S., and is less shy than  other species.  It is able to survive without freestanding water, so it is a perfect species for our desert ecosystem.

Did you listen to the distinctive sound of this species at the link above?

The cactus wren feeds primarily on insects, including grasshoppers (they are in abundance these days), ants, beetles and wasps.  They nest in cactus plants, where they can be protected by the prickly spines.  Have you found the nest yet? Once you see one, you'll recognize them anywhere! 

December photos around the region!

Photos from around the region in December.....warm, cold, cozy, adventurous!

Magoffin Home Historic Site in El Paso

Run on Hwy 54 north of Van Horn

Santa at the Presidio County Courthouse, Marfa

South Rim, Big Bend National Park

A Trip to Candelaria, in Two Parts by Monte Riggs

Candelaria Texas, November 8, 2012

Knowing that there is no place to stop and eat or buy gas, I pack a sandwich, some carrots and trail mix, fill up the truck and head for Ranch Road 2810 which heads south at the Rock Shop on highway 90 west of downtown Marfa. Neither food nor fuel will be available until I get back to Marfa unless I head over to Presidio, but that’s 35 miles out of the way.

It’s a good day to be on the road in Presidio County Texas, the lovegrass, goosegrass, burrograss and grammagrasses, their families and friends are abundant and glowing in their best fall golden yellows and rust. A slight breeze blows out of the south arching their long stems to face me as roll by at 55 miles an hour. I pass a border patrolman parked on the side of the road and wave because I’m probably the first car he’s seen in a while and continue on. A solitary raven sits precariously atop a small fence post, it’s feet dwarfing the tiny perch of weathered wood. I see no other traffic on the road for the 32 miles to Pinto Canyon, this is why you learn to always consider the “what ifs” when you travel some of these back roads.

If you’re in no hurry, this drive is as beautiful as any in the country. Endless rolling pastures bearing scars from numerous geologic disturbances softened only by erosion and a healthy savannah which segue into the ruggedness of the Chinati Mountain range further south.
Thirty two miles south of Marfa the pavement stops and from here on to the Rio Grande the trip is over a gravel road that gets increasingly rough and challenging to the abilities of both car and driver. I shift into four wheel drive and slow down to keep the wake of dust behind me to a minimum. Besides, this road has enough blind corners where the unexpected can tear up your car in a heartbeat. Even in a high clearance four wheel drive truck a slow crawl is sometimes necessary.

Continued tomorrow!

Last night's light at the Jeff Davis/Presidio County line

 

Subtle colors near sunset by Monte Riggs of Marfa
(click on photo for a closer look!)

Up to the TOP, a little Marfa Mini-Break

Eighty-six steps take you to the top of Marfa’s beautiful courthouse and a 360 degree view of the town and surrounding countryside.  In fact, this is one of our Top Ten 15-Minute Rest Breaks from the Road!

Built in 1886 by San Antonio architect Alfred Giles in the Second Empire style, the courthouse cost $60,000.  Designed of brick and stone quarried in Marfa, the exterior is of pink stucco with Lady Justice sitting atop the central dome.  The courthouse is one of the lucky ones to receive support by the Texas Historical Commission's Courthouse Preservation Program.

Next time you're in Marfa and looking for something fun to do, see if they courthouse is open and then start on your aerobic climb.  The view and a close-up view of one of the very finest county courthouses is your reward! 

Beautiful Presidio County Courthouse at Dawn

In Marfa!

Beautiful Presidio County Courthouse

Texas is blessed with beautiful county courthouses, and with the efforts of many people who've worked hard on their restoration.  The Texas Historical Commission leads a restoration program for qualifying courthouses.  One of the recipients of support from the THC's program is the lovely Presidio County Courthouse in Marfa.

One of our favorite things to do when the courthouse is open, is to climb the 80 or so steps to the top of the building for a 360 degree view of Marfa and the grassland surrounding the town.  It is a perfect "mini-break" to appreciate the beautiful building's architecture and the local community and landscape.

"Good for the Soul" Mini-Break: Presidio County Courthouse

Eighty-six steps take you to the top of Marfa’s beautiful Presidio County courthouse and a 360 degree view of the town and surrounding countryside.  Built in 1886 in the Second Empire Style, the courthouse was restored and rededicated in 2002.  Inside, the building is as beautiful as the outside, and if you're game to make the climb to the very top, you'll be rewarded with an incredible view of the Marfa Plain!

Today's Feature: Tacos del Norte
A delicious trio of tacos (pollo, nopales, picadillo), beans, rice, chips and salsa from Tacos del Norte on Hwy 90 in Marfa. Relaxed outdoor dining, menu in Spanish.  Delicious!



Santa Arrives at the Presidio County Courthouse

Yesterday evening, the Marfa Chamber of Commerce hosted a charming event on the grounds of the Presidio County Courthouse in Marfa.  A tree from The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountains Preserve was brought in by a volunteer, and decorated with ornaments made by the town's elementary schoolchildren.  The children sang, and then Santa arrived on a firetruck!  Later, all the stores in town were open for evening holiday shopping, and Santa heard all the children's Christmas wishes in the Hotel Paisano, one of our most distinguished historic hotels!  What a great evening in one of our great little small towns in Far West Texas!

Presidio County Courthouse In Marfa

Pinto Canyon Road

One of the great adventures in the region is reserved for drivers with sturdy high-clearance, all wheel drive vehicles.  Pinto Canyon in Presidio County (leaving sw Marfa towards Ruidosa) is an ADVENTURE with rugged surfaces and terrific views.  Because the road cuts through privately owned land, be respectful of landowners by sticking to the road...and have a great time!

Next Summer, Plan on Attending....

....the Marfa Lights Festival, centered around the lovely, restored Presidio County Courthouse in Marfa!

Hot? There's a place waiting for you at Chinati Hot Springs!

After a long day of hiking, this warm pool at Chinati Hot Springs soothes the sore muscles. Laidback and relaxed, the Hot Springs is a favorite place for visitors who really want to get off the beaten path. In Presidio County, just north of Ruidosa...you can learn more, here.

Watching the sun rise on the mountains

Getting away from the city--really away--and relaxing is one of the great benefits to visitors. There's nothing like getting up early, hot mug of coffee in hand, and watching the sun rise on the mountains. This was taken at Chinati Hot Springs, a thoroughly relaxing place to spend the night, in Presidio County.

The cool pool at Chinati Hot Springs

Off Pinto Canyon Road, not far from Ruidosa in Presidio County is a wonderful oasis. Cool off after a day of hiking or mountain biking or sightseeing by soaking in the cool pool, or the hot tubs at Chinati Hot Springs. They have comfortable cabins, campsites and a communal kitchen for visitors to use. For more information, click here.

Shafter Ghost Town Church

Head down Hwy 67 from Marfa to Presidio and you'll see a small sign for "Shafter Ghost Town." Do yourself a favor, and turn off the highway here. The first building you'll see is this church. Behind the church is an actively maintained garden and grotto. Travel slowly on the dirt road past the small stream to the cemetery and the Shafter museum, which chronicles the history of this small mining community

Three Tops of Marfa

Another view of Marfa's skyline and the top of the Presidio County Courthouse. Visitors can climb to the top...and experience that is one of our region's Top Ten 15 Minute Rest Breaks from the Road, check it out here!

This photo was taken by Clara Riggs of Houston. Thanks, Clara!

Views from Pinto Canyon

A great drive awaits travelers with high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles--Pinto Canyon in Presidio County.

This is a great shot by Mark Donet of Alpine, as he drove south from Marfa to Ruidosa.