Monday, May 31, 2010

View of the Sierra Diablos, Hwy 54

Between Van Horn and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, there's a terrific scenic and historic route for travelers (in automobiles, on motorcycles and bicycles!) to behold...Hwy 54.  For a complete description, visit our El Cap to El Cap Heritage Bike Ride page!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Cycling Big Bend National Park

Cycling is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of Big Bend National Park, especially the paved roads in the lower elevations. 

We have two cycle-friendly accommodations in the Big Bend area, the Chisos Mountain Lodge in the center of the Park and Big Bend Resorts and Adventures in nearby Terlingua.  For a list of cycling adventures and cycle-friendly hotels, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/bike

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Evening Light on Sierra Blanca, I-10 heading east

Just west of Sierra Blanca, there's a parking area on east-bound I-10; in the evening light, Sierra Blanca mountain seems to glow and provides the traveler with a beautiful sight!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Fishing at Post Park

Five miles south of Marathon, there's a county park built in the WPA era of the 1930s, Post Park.  Because of the presence of water, the spot had been a stopping-over point for early native Americans, the military (where it became a defense garrison against the Comanches), and travelers heading west.  Today it is a great spot for picnics, birdwatching and fishing. 

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Gunfighter John Wesley Hardin Grave in El Paso's Concordia Cemetery

El Paso’s Boot Hill


"Concordia Cemetery a Texas State Historical Site"
Winner of the 2010 True West Magazine "Best of the West"
Winner of the 2008 "Preservation Texas" "Clara Driscoll Award" for Preservation

Known as Concordia during the 1840s, this area was the home of Chihuahua trader Hugh Stephenson. In 1856 his wife, Juana (Ascarate), was buried in what is now part of Concordia Cemetery. The graveyard gained widespread use in the 1880s when El Pasoans drove three miles to Concordia to bury their dead.
By 1890 various sections had been purchased by different groups and were designated Catholic, Masonic, Jewish, Black, Chinese, Military, Jesuit, city, and county. Buried here are over 60,000 people including gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, Buffalo Soldiers, Texas Rangers, Civil War Veterans, early Mormon pioneers, Florida (Lady Flo) Wolf, Lawman John Selman and was formerly the first burial site for Mexican Revolution President Victoriano Huerta.and numerous other civic leaders, pioneers, and war veterans.

The cemetery is open 365 days a year. Fall -Winter: November to March 8:00AM to 5:00PM. Spring - Summer: April to October. 8:00AM to 8:00PM
Cemetery website.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Spent blossoms


One species of flowers ends its reign on the season, with more species to bloom!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Clark Hotel Museum in Van Horn

One of the earliest hotels in Van Horn was the Clark Hotel, now the site of the county's historical museum.  This shows the "street side" which was the back end of the building prior to 1930, when visitors would enter the hotel from the railroad station just north of the building.  In 1930, the highway was built in the back alley, and the entrance of the building was then moved to the south.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Friday, May 14, 2010

Evening Light on Hwy 54

Taken between Van Horn and Guadalupe Mountains National Park on Hwy 54 in the waning light of the evening.  This route is our "El Capitan to El Capitan Heritage Bike Ride" but it is also a great road for motorists and motorcyclists!

Thursday, May 13, 2010