In the center of a Whirlwind! Two Dust Devils (and the "greening up" after fire)

Two dust devils form in land regrowing from the fires.  Ribbons of green are showing up on ranch land affected by wildfire this spring.



In the center of a dust devil ash and plant matter flies all around us, click on photo for a closer view!



With the little bit of rain we've been receiving here and there, we've noticed the land is beginning to green up nicely around the region.  Long swaths of burned ranch land are turning into ribbons of green that will only intensify as the summer moves forward.

As you drive through our region, it is fun to spot dust devils--small, well-formed whirlwinds that develop when the surface of the air is much warmer than the air above it.  As the hot air rises, "much of the surrounding air rushes in and intensifies the upward motion," according to Glendale Community College's (AZ) website.  Read more on their excellent webpage here.

We know from experience that a car driving through a dust devil might get a gentle nudge..or perhaps even a strong nudge, but nothing like the force of a tornado.  Dust devils rarely cause any damage.  We'd never actually been that close to one, and never without the protection of a car.  So when we saw several of them yesterday, we decided to try to get close to one crossing the road. 

Well, we misjudged the direction of one dust devil and before we could get out of our seats, it blew through the only open window (drivers seat) of the car.  It felt like someone threw a bucket of sand and burned debris right at us with tremendous velocity!   Afterwards we were covered with bits of plant material and ash as was the entire interior of the car!  When we got home, showers were required as we'd found debris under our clothes!  It was a fun, but dirty adventure...

We only had the drivers window open as the dust devil passed.  This is what the back seat looked like afterwards!

Hike to the highest peak in Texas!

You're not to the top yet!  Just one of the neat views along the Guadalupe Peak hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.  Peak elevation is 8,749 feet.and the trail is 8 1/2 miles round trip.  Here's the national park system's trail guide for this quintessential hke along the Texas Mountain Trail!

Regional hiking information is here!

Beautiful evening light in Fort Davis

A glorious evening sky dwarfs the buildings at Fort Davis National Historic Site 
(double-click the photo for a closer view!)

Last night we had a special opportunity to enjoy a barbecue dinner at the Fort Davis National Historic Site, an event for the participants at the West Texas Rural Philanthropy Days organized by the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation.  The dinner capped a full day of meetings between rural West Texas non-profit organizations and funders from the private and public sector, aimed at building relationships and understanding the grants-making process.

But tonight, it was all about a good meal and good conversation, with a soft breeze and a glowing evening sky....benefits of spending time out here in Far West Texas! 

Rodeo Dreams In Van Horn

Head on over to Van Horn for their Frontier Days Celebration and Ranch Rodeo, June 17 and 18!  Details are here; the rodeo's facebook page is here!

Click here for a slideshow of a previous Van Horn rodeo...lots of great kids competing!

One of the best scenic drives anywhere, and a darn good bike ride too!

The River Road between Presidio and Terlingua is one of Texas' and the nation's best scenic drives.  Mountain, desert, and river views at every turn, this route is one to savor.  You can stop at several locations to stretch your legs at Big Bend Ranch State Park trailheads, Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center, Fort Leaton, or Lajitas.  FM170 is one of the best!

Marfa Public Radio, Hospitality Heroes!

The staff of Marfa Public Radio receives their Texas Mountain Trail Hospitality Heroes Award on June 2; presented by TMT Board Member Mercer Black and Executive Director Beth Nobles (photo by DJ Sanders)

Texas Mountain Trail is in the business of supporting and promoting travel to Far West Texas, with an eye to creating lasting experiences for visitors.  We also want to recognize folks in the region who do more than is expected, so earlier this year, we began our "Hospitality Heroes" recognition program.

This spring, our region was hit by high winds and fire, and the folks at Marfa Public Radio provided timely and accurate coverage allowing residents and visitors to get out of danger.  So at our June 2 launch party of the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail map, we were more than happy to recognize their work as "Hospitality Heroes."

Remarks by Texas Mountain Trail board member, Mercer Black:     

"On April 9th, a fire started just a couple miles west of Marfa in an abandoned rock shop along Hwy 90 a stone’s throw from the home of Rachel Lindley, one of the two full-time employees of Marfa Public Radio. And so, just like that, West Texas and the world was made aware of a spark made fire made wildfire in dang near real time.

Rachel’s husband phoned in from the house with a direct visual of the happenings. Marfa Public Radio General Manager Tom Michael made the necessary contacts with officials, Tom and Rachel went on the air, their crack shot team of vigilant volunteers mobilized, and we sat glued to our radios as the fire raced across northern Presidio county and entered Jeff Davis county, headed straight for our neighbors.

It was during this time that I think that I, not a crier, broke down the first time. Tom reported eyewitnesses watching AEP trucks driving up and down Hwy 17 cutting fences, trying to save cattle and wildlife. I was so thankful to know that someone was doing something, anything. And I was so thankful for Marfa Public Radio. When you sit a mere 25 miles away from your family knowing that there home and everything they have worked for is in such imminent and extreme danger, there really no explanation for the feeling of powerlessness. Marfa Public Radio gave me just a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of power. And that went a long way.

And then, in some cruel twist of fate, the radio went out. KRTS Marfa Public Radio FM 93.5 broadcasted dead air, as the fire reached the area around the station’s broadcast tower.
I think all of us had a moment of a panic, as our only source of reliable information had been ripped from us. And then, there was the collective AHA as we remembered KRTS’s streaming online feed. So many people flooded the “Listen Now” feature of the website, that Tom and team had to pull off a miracle on a Saturday afternoon – increasing the allowable streaming bandwidth so that all the eager people could tap back in to the news.

They did it. After a short period marfapublicradio.org was streaming live. Letting us know what roads were closed. Which areas were being evacuated. If we could get to our families and friends to help. For which of our friends and families’ homes it was too late. And, most importantly urging us all to use precaution, to remember that lives are more important than property.

A member of the Texas Mountain Trail board stated at our April meeting with much passion that it is her absolute belief that Marfa Public Radio saved lives during those first couple days of the Rock House Fire. There was unanimous agreement amongst our board.

Mind you that all of this was going on during the station’s Spring pledge drive, the main source of funding for this PUBLIC radio station. There was no mention of this. The KRTS team plugged on as journalists and as members of this community, saving lives, and giving us a little bit of power in a seemingly powerless situation.

It is for that reason that it is my great pleasure to present Tom Michael, Rachel Lindley and the many, many dedicated volunteers at Marfa Public Radio with the Texas Mountain Trail Hospitality Heroes Award.

Thank you, all. From the bottom of my heart and those of the Texas Mountain Trail board."

You can listen to Marfa Public Radio (93.5 FM) whereever you are--online at http://www.marfapublicradio.org/

Many of our cholla are blooming now!

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! 

Far West Texas Wildlife Trail Map Launch Party, this morning at El Paso's Keystone Heritage Park/Botanical Garden!

We're very proud of the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail map, and we want to invite all of you to come on down to Keystone Heritage Park, in El Paso to join us at the launch party!  LOTS of folks helped make the map a reality and now it is time to celebrate.  If you attend the party, you'll get your own free copy, and there will be lots of giveaways...and free viewing of birds at the park's viewing stand! 

Festivities begin at 9:45 am, at Keystone Heritage Park/El Paso Botanical Garden, 4200 Doniphan!

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! 

Marfa's Miniature Rooster

In the town known as "delightfully quirky," Marfa offers yet another surprise.  Out here in Far West Texas--in the land of chicken fried steak and tacos--Marfa's Miniature Rooster restaurant serves the head-turning combination of Indian and Southern food.  We're talking chickpea curry and pakoras and fried chicken and waffles at the same meal, if you want it. 

Can we pause a moment and talk about the fried chicken and waffles?  At first, this combo seems an extreme indulgence to our non-Southern palates--yet, when it arrived at our table we fell instantly in love with its spicy, sweet, soft, crunchy, perfectly prepared juiciness.

The folks at the Rooster perform similar magic on simple vegetables.  We've swooned over their acorn squash (with lime and Hawaiian black sea salt), their beets (braised in balsamic vinegar and served with boiled egg and arugula) and roasted cauliflower (in vinaigrette with capers and tarragon).  In fact, we've been inspired to order all-vegetable, and thoroughly satisfying meals of their small plates and starters.

Those small plates, sides and starters run $3-8.  Entrees include Pork, Beans and Greens; Shrimp and Grits; and Steak and Eggs; cost $14-20.  And the "Low Country Miniature Rooster," a whole roasted game hen with asparagus vinaigrette, potato puree and gravy is $18.

Save room for the desserts.  Our favorite?  The Gateaux de Isle, a rum soaked cake with pineapple and coconut, and a generous dollop of real whipped cream on the side.

Miniature Rooster--1300 W. San Antonio (Hwy 90) is open Tuesdays-Saturdays for dinner starting at 5:30 pm.

Honoring all soldiers past and present

Soldier reenactors at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis

Green IS here!

Though we are still under a region-wide burn ban, there are no fires in the region today!

And lots of places offer green respites from the road, including Post Park south of Marathon

From Davis Mountains State Park's garden outside the Interpretive Center

Along the road from Fort Davis to Alpine

Some folks are saying we're all burnt up out here in Far West Texas...and we say, yes, we're still under a burn ban here, but GREEN is here!  There are plants popping out on the roadsides, including one of our favorites...chocolate daisies!!  The photos here were all taken since the wildlfires left our region...

Everything is still here and waiting for your visit...the charming hotels, restaurants, hiking trails....if you need help planning your visit, just let us know!!!

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

Burned? Brown? West Texas has green places!

Panorama view of Post Park, south of Marathon in Brewster County





Water fowl and song birds!  (click on the photo for a closer view!)

 Some folks think all of Far West Texas is horribly dry or burned, and we say NO!  One off-the-beaten-path oasis, is 5 miles south of Marathon.  Post Park is a lovely quiet, peaceful place to spend a hot afternoon.  This place was used as a watering area by the Comanche, was the site of a military outpost, and in the Depression, the WPA worked here to create the modern day park.

This is one of the sites on the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail map, as you can see birds and wildlife here every day.  We've seen 50 wild turkey, and a herd of javelina, turtles, fish in the pond, and lots and lots of birds.

Post Park is also the destination of the heritage bike ride, "Ride to the Post," an easy 10 mile out-and-back route.

Vermilion Flycatcher!

A species found at several sites on our new Far West Texas Wildlife Trail map.  We're launching the map at several public parties next week:

June 2, Indian Lodge, Davis Mountains State Park, Fort Davis
June 3, Monahans Sandhills State Park, Monahans
June 4, Keystone Heritage Park, El Paso

Attend one of the events above to get your free copy!

Thanks to TWPD for this great photo!

Blooming in the region right now!

A May Moon

Taken near Van Horn!