Rescheduled!  Due to the federal government shutdown, the tours--originally scheduled for Saturday, October 12, have been resecheduled for Saturday, November 16! 

A not-to-miss event!  On Saturday, November 16, 2013 the public is invited to participate in guided tours at Fort Davis National Historic Site after hours and by lantern light.

 The twenty-person tours begin at 6:00 pm and start every half hour.  The last tour begins at 8:20 pm.   Each tour lasts an hour.  On a tour, encounter living history characters from the past in scenes based on historical events at the fort.  Visitors step back in time to when Fort Davis was an active 1880’s military post.

Reservations are highly recommended and are currently being accepted.  Call 432-426-3224, ext. 226.  Tours are free, but donations will be accepted for the park’s living history programs.  Wear comfortable shoes to walk about a mile.  Visitors needing assistance maneuvering around the Fort are encouraged to join us for the first 3 tour times while there is still some daylight.  More information is available at the website: www.nps.gov/foda

Travel Spotlight - Rocking Chairs of the Limpia Hotel

All this week, we're going to feature a truly relaxing place to sit and unwind...on the rocking chairs on the porches of the historic Limpia Hotel in Fort Davis.  If you're heading to Fort Davis for the lantern light tours at Fort Davis National Historic Site, consider a stay at the Limpia...and enjoy those rocking chairs!

Be a Part of the Texas Camel Corp Expedition in the Davis Mountains

We're adding events all the time to our Texas Mountain Trail web calendar, but this weekend a new event came in that made us sit up and take notice.  How would you like to go back to the 1850s and participate in a military experiment....walk and ride through the Davis Mountains with the Texas Camel Corps, November 10-11?

Sounds like a very special once-in-a-lifetime experience to us...and steeped in history, to boot.

Here's the event information:

"These treks, over the very ground trod by the US Army Camel Experiment of the 1850s, are overnight camel-assisted walking treks (some riding time is possible) on private land within the Scenic Fort Davis Loop. Led by Texas Camel Corps owner Doug Baum, participants must be able to walk 5-7 miles per day and provide their own sleeping bag, water container, small duffel bag or backpack and change of clothes. Camels, all other camping gear, and meals are provided.  Trek fee is $750 per person."

These treks, over the very ground trod by the US Army Camel Experiment of the 1850s, are overnight camel-assisted walking treks (some riding time is possible) on private land within the Scenic Fort Davis Loop. Led by Texas Camel Corps owner Doug Baum, participants must be able to walk 5-7 miles per day and provide their own sleeping bag, water container, small duffel bag or backpack and change of clothes. Camels, all other camping gear, and meals are provided.
Trek fee is $750 per person.
- See more at: http://texasmountaintrail.com/events/fort-davis-texas-camel-treks#sthash.oMbwf8Yh.dpuf

Here's the link to our calendar listing with contact information, for your questions and to sign up!

Still have questions?  Here's a link to the Texas Camel Corps' FAQ page.  Our partner, the Texas Brazos Trail has a page on their website for the Texas Camel Corp, here.

Are you up for the (fascinating) history of the camels on the Texas Frontier?  Check out this YouTube video!

If you are an event planner working on something fun for travelers and residents of our six-county Texas Mountain Trail region, please add your event to our calendar!  Go to www.texasmountaintrail.com and select "Suggest an Event" from the Partners dropdown menu.  Thanks!

Your Sneak Peak: 1940 USO Hall in Marfa, now the city's Tourism Office and Visitors Center

Marfa's 1940 USO Hall, now a visitors center and tourism office for the city
(Photo: Tex Toler)

Marfa's new (and first) city tourism office and visitor center is in a very special place, a 1940 USO Hall.  Once the place for dances and celebrations for soldiers at Fort D.A. Russell, the town renovated the building in recent years, while maintaining the character of the original hall.  Walk inside and it doesn't take much imagination to picture the dance floor full of soldiers and their dates swinging to Big Bands!  There are plans for more photos and an interpretive exhibit to tell the history of the building.

The town's building a new tourism website at http://www.visitmarfa.com/, and right now most of their activity is on the facebook page here.  Step into the visitor center just a block south of the intersection (the flashing light at the four way stop) of Hwys 90 and 67.  Stop in for brochures, friendly conversation and travel advice!

Or, if you're planning a special event in Marfa, consider booking the hall for a unique setting for your group!