Hot Springs in Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park's David Elkowitz
(and a member of our Texas Mountain Trail board!)
gives a tour of Hot Springs

Hot Springs motel structure

View of current day visitors paddling to the Hot Spring
to enjoy a soak

One of the neatest places to visit in Big Bend National Park is the Hot Springs Historic District, which has evidence of ancient human history (in the form of rock art) and more recent history in the remnants of a Hot Springs resort, started by J.O. Langford when he moved to the Big Bend in 1909.  Read Langford's story:   Langford, J.O., with Fred Gipson. Big Bend: A Homesteader’s Story. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1973.

Read more about the historic district on the park's website.
Learn about taking a soak on your next visit!

Read all about it!

We've been posting about the history of the Mexican Revolution the past couple of days, and wanted you to know about another great place to visit in the city, Cinco Puntos Press.  An independent publisher of wonderful books about the Southwest, this press has several great books on the history of the revolution.  You can visit them yourself to see their full selection of books for kids, young adults and adults--both fiction and non-fiction.  Catch them at 701 Texas Avenue in El Paso, just east of downtown.

We keep their Ringside Seat to a Revolution by David Dorado Romo in our car, so we can find historic sites related to the revolution as we travel through El Paso!

Don't Miss this Stop in Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park's Panther Junction Visitors Center has a great selection of books and gifts to explore.  The Big Bend Natural History Association (BBNHA) was established in 1956 as a private, non-profit organization. The Association's goal is to educate the public and increase their understanding and appreciation of the Big Bend Area and what it represents in terms of our historical and natural heritage.  You can learn more about the Association by visiting their website, or by checking out their online bookstore!

No Country for Old Men

Cormac McCarthy wrote about this place in Van Horn in his book, No Country for Old Men. The scene didn't make it into the movie, but you can see it yourself, by taking the second Van Horn exit and traveling south from I-10...just 1/2 block away from the interstate!

And no, you can't buy Diesel Fried Chicken in town, but there is a lovely hometown restaurant, Pappa's Pantry, just across the street!