Texas Master Naturalists leading Peak Fitness Challenge hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Ruins of the Butterfield Stagecoach
stop on the Pinery Trail

Sunday, June 23rd, Texas Master Naturalist volunteers from around Far West Texas are leading interpretive hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park as part of the Peak Fitness Challenge.  Everyone is invited to choose the hike they'd like to do that day, and participate in the Challenge!  This is something just about ANYONE can do!  While you're responsible for the usual park admission fees, the hikes themselves are FREE!

You should carry your own water, wear sunscreen and clothing (including a hat!) that will protect you from the sun and desert plants.  Choose the hike that best suits your fitness level, and have fun!

Here's the schedule for that day, and they're also listed on our Texas Mountain Trail events calendar:

8 am Pinery Trail, meet at the Pine Springs Visitors Center.  This is a short paved trail of less than a mile to the historic stagecoach stop along the Butterfield Overland Trail. This trail is rated as EASY.

The cool, shady portion
of the Smith Spring trail

10 am  Smith Spring trail, meet at the parking lot just before historic Frijole Ranch.  This 2.6 miles loop trail takes you across desert and arroyos to a natural (shaded) spring.  You also hike by Manzanita Spring and the Frijole Ranch house. This trail is rated MODERATE.

McKittrick Canyon trail

10 am McKittrick Canyon trail to Pratt Cabin   This hike will take a few hours to hike the 5 mile roundtrip trail, but has a cool payoff (a rest on the porch of Pratt Cabin) at the endpoint before heading back to your car at the trailhead. What you'll see:  maple, walnut, oak, and madrone grow alongside desert plants like cactus and agave.  All are enclosed by steep walls that formed when the creek cut through the limestone of the Capitan Reef.   Meet at the McKittrick Canyon trailhead building at 10 am. This trail is rated MODERATE.

Devil's Hall trail

10 am Devils Hall trail  This is one of the prettiest hikes in the Guadalupes and is 2.2 miles one-way.  At the farthest point you reach Devils Hall, a narrow notch in the mountain, offering shade!  Meet at trailhead next to Pine Springs campground.  This trail is rated MODERATE.

10 am Pinery Trail, repeat of the 8 am hike.

In the afternoon, Texas Master Naturalists will be at Frijole Ranch and eager to visit with all of you, and answer your questions!

If you encounter Texas Master Naturalists along the trail that day, please say hello!

How to participate in the Challenge?  Start by creating a profile at the Peak Fitness Challenge website, here. You can choose any trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park or Franklin Mountains State Park (El Paso) to hike or even run.  

After you complete your hike, go back to the website to log your miles.  Your name (and address) is put into a file from which we choose prize winners every month!  The more you hike, the more chances you have to win prizes!

As an extra bonus, many of the hikes help us learn about our heritage.  Click HERE to read about Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes!

Big, big thanks to the three chapters of Texas Master Naturalists who are volunteering their time to lead hikes on Sunday, June 23!  They come from El Paso, Midland/Odessa, and the Davis Mtns/Big Bend.  Also we send thanks to our Peak Fitness Challenge partners, GeoBetty.com, PhiDev, Inc., Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Franklin Mountains State Park! Y'all are great! 

Yoga and Art Retreats in Marathon

Yoga in Casa La Vista Retreat
Center in Marathon

If you love yoga and art and the beautiful landscape in Far West Texas, there's a weekend retreat in Marathon for you.  Brought to you by Wilma Schindeler, former general manager of the Gage Hotel,  Wilma is a yoga instructor and owner of the Casa La Vista Retreat Center in Marathon and Massage Across Texas. There's a retreat coming up June 20-23, and one following July 18-21.  

For more information, contact Wilma at wilmaschindeler at mac dot com!

Click on the flyer for a closer view,
details on the June 20-23 workshop

Art projects

Information on the July 18-20 retreat,
Click on the flyer for a closer view!

Grilling at the Gage Hotel

The historic Gage Hotel is known for gracious accommodations, but also good food.  Coming up on June 15, there's an opportunity to have a special dinner, cocktails and grilling demonstration.  Click here for more info or click on the image above for a closer view.  Be sure to make reservations SOON for this one!

Click on the flyer for a closer view!

Visit our Texas Mountain Trail events calendar for more fun things to do in Far West Texas!

Go back to the 1940s at the Marfa Visitors Center!

Swing was King and soldiers
danced all over the world in USO Halls

Today, Marfa's Visitor Center is in the USO Hall
and it is remarkably unchanged from the 1940s
except for the heritage displays

A block south of the main Hwy 90/Hwy 67 intersection in Marfa is a place visitors ought to experience.  The town's visitor center is located in a relatively untouched 1942 USO Hall, which housed many events for the military and the community when Fort D.A. Russell and the Marfa Army Air Field were in full operation. 

As you enter the building, the Visitors Center information (and helpful, friendly staff!) is in the foyer, but if you walk a little further into the "hall," you'll walk into a nearly pristine 1942 room.  Still in place are the original speakers and stage, and the hall has been enhanced by hundreds of portraits of soldiers.

Only a handful of "Type A Standard USO Halls" were constructed soon after the United States entered World War II. Construction started on Marfa's USO Hall in February 1942, and work was swiftly completed, as the building was ready for events in June that year. 

Now you can visit it yourself, and enjoy the soldier portraits and displays.  And, pick up travel information about Marfa and the entire region, as well!

Cool Canyon Nights

There's GREAT summer fun every Thursday night in McKelligon Canyon...the live music of Cool Canyon Nights in El Paso! 

We've got Cool Canyon Nights on our Texas Mountain Trail event calendar through August 29.

From our friends at the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Every Thursday night, a full blown summer concert series will take place at the beautiful McKelligon Canyon. Come out for a relaxing night full of music and the cool canyon breeze. Cool Canyon Nights start at 6:15 p.m. through 9 p.m. A patio act takes the stage for the first 45 minutes of the evening, followed by the headliner in the amphitheatre.

Be a Cool Canyon Nights VIP and enjoy free snacks in the National Furniture Liquidators VIP Lounge. Free Cool Canyon VIP cards will be available in various locations around El Paso (locations to be announced), just stop in and ask for the cards. These cards will not only give you access to the VIP lounge every week, they will be good for discounts and freebies at our partners’ locations.

While you’re up at the canyon, be sure to check out everything that’s going on:

Stop by weekly at the BMW of El Paso display, plus register to win weekly prizes at the Price’s Creameries prize tent. Scuds and Suds Carwash is the proud sponsor of Townsquare Cares at Cool Canyon Nights and they will be taking in donations for our local troops, proceeds will benefit MWR on base. A different craft beer will be featured weekly for you to enjoy while you take in the music.

Join us every Thursday at Cool Canyon Nights! The series is still free, thanks to WestStar Bank.

The Main Stage Lineup:
June 13th: Dusty Low
June 20th: The Dunwells
June 27th: The Lusitania
July 11th: Prime
July 18th: Billy Townes
July 25th: The Trailer Band
August 1st: Matt Hires
August 8th: Brown Betty
August 15th: Ribo Flavin’
August 22nd: Team Havana
August 29th: Fungi Mungle

Hey, We're on Instagram too!

We take photos everywhere we go in the region, and on all our adventures, especially at all our visits to restaurants.  Our goal?  To share the best of what we find with all of you! 

So here's a way to keep in touch with all those images and travel ideas...follow us on Instagram!  www.instagram.com/texastrailgirl

Last night we went to one of our favorite places, Pizza Foundation in Marfa, and we took photos of our frozen mango limeades and our slices.  Through Instagram, we posted to Twitter (our account there is www.twitter.com/trailgirl) We'd been corresponding with a woman who's planning a trip to Marfa late this month and she liked those photos!  Now she's planning to stop by for some pie!

Escape to the Cool Green of Smith Spring!

Cool, shaded green at the middle of the Smith
Spring Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Yes, the summer is upon us and sometimes the heat keeps us indoors.  And that's too bad, because there are plenty of places to explore...cool spots in our desert.  One of these is Smith Spring in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, one of the trails in our Peak Fitness Challenge!   For a complete trail rundown, visit our blog for newcomers to fitness, "One Foot in Front of the Other."  Lots of pictures and trail info there!

Sign up for the Peak Fitness Challenge...and you may win prizes for heading out on the Trail!

Stay tuned right here, for next week we'll share information on some special guided hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park...offered by our Texas Mountain Trail and several chapters of Texas Master Naturalist volunteers on Sunday, June 23.

Billy the Kid Festival

Billy The Kid Festival 2013

San Elizario Historic District

San Elizario, Texas 79849

4^th Annual Billy the Kid Festival

June 7- 9, 2013.

Friday: 7p-11p

Saturday: 12p-11p

Sunday: 12p-10p

Wild West buffs will want to mosey on over to the historic town of San Elizario for the 4th annual Billy The Kid Festival. The Nationally recognized Historic District celebrates the notorious outlaw's visit to San Elizario in 1876. Enjoy reenactments of the historic breakout at the old County Jail & learn the historic truths of his visit to the old Texas town. See the original play, Midnight Rendezvous: Billy the Kid & The Mystery of 1876 at the Main Stage. Live Music at the local Restaurants and on the Main Stage. All events are FREE!! The event is Pet Friendly!  Enjoy Arts, Crafts, Entertainment, Food and more!!

From El Paso: Take I-10 East to Loop 375 South, Exit off of Loop 375 at Socorro Road, Turn left at Socorro Road and proceed approximately 7 miles to the San Elizario Historic District on the right. Look for the brown signs.

GPS: 1501 Main Street, 79849

www.BillyTheKidFestival.com

Information: 915-851-0093

Nine Seconds on Clayton's Overlook Trail, Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

One of the best places to go hiking in the Davis Mountains is Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens.  There are several great trails on the property, trails that will suit all hikers, from beginning to advanced.  Kids 12 and under can visit the Center for free; adult admission is just $6. 

The video above shows Clayton's Overlook Trail, which is a terrific hiking experience.  At the top of the trail is a viewing platform, offering a 360 degree vista and interpretive panels showing the history and geology of the entire Davis Mountains.

Want something easier?  How about a stroll through the botanical garden or a visit to the cactus greenhouse?

Hiking at CDRI, with thanks to Stonewear Designs
We're wearing their Liberty Skort and Echo Top
on the Modesta Canyon Trail

Heritage Hikes!

Porch of historic Pratt Cabin
on the McKittrick Canyon trail
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

As part of our Peak Fitness Challenge, we've identified special hiking trails that tell something about our history...our Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes!  The Challenge is centered in Franklin Mountains State Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park (though we're looking at adding new trails in other parts of the region in the future), and there's PLENTY to learn about Texas by experiencing these designated trails.

The Peak Fitness Challenge is a FREE, FUN program designed to introduce new parks and new trails to folks of all fitness levels.  The Challenge website has terrific information, including topo maps, of the trails, plus great information about the location of the trailheads, elevation change and trail length.

We send prizes out on a random basis to hikers...you never know when something neat might hit your mailbox!

The Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes take you to the site of a murder of a Texas Ranger, plane crashes, historic ranch houses, old tin mines, stagecoach stops, and other neat places! 

Want to learn more?  We also have a rundown of the Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes on our website:

Learn more about hiking opportunities in the Texas Mountains and the Peak Fitness Challenge, by visiting THIS page!

Posting Your Event!

Part of our mission as a non-profit supporting Far West Texas, is to promote worthy events in the region.  Many event organizers approach us about getting their events on our web calendar, on this Daily Photo blog, and on our many social media outlets.  We've produced this easy 2 step guide for qualifying heritage, cultural, and adventure events for organizers working in the six westernmost counties of the state, from Marathon and Big Bend all the way west to El Paso and the state line.

You can view the flyer by clicking on the image to the left, or following this link.

Be sure to start your publicity as soon as you can to attract the most visitors....six month ahead isn't too soon!  Please do complete both Step 1 and Step 2 at least two weeks before your event takes place.  Another tip?  Send us photos, according to instructions.  The .pdf of your flyer or poster is of limited value.  We may only be able to post it on Facebook or Twitter. 

These services are free, although we reserve additional services and exposure for our Texas Mountain Trail business members.  We want to provide information for a wide range of visitors, however some events may not be appropriate for our audience.  We reserve the right to post events as our staff or volunteer time will allow and as deemed suitable for our social media visitors.  We want our visitors (and residents of the region) to know about the VERY BEST events Far West Texas can offer!

Perfect place for a picnic--Post Park!

Just five miles south of Marathon (follow the signs to "County Park") is a great little place that's been a resting place for centuries, Post Park!  We know the Apache and Comanche used the spring here as an oasis from the desert heat.  The Buffalo Soliders used the area for their Camp Pena Colorado in the late 1800s.  The community of Marathon and visitors use the park for fishing, picnicking and birdwatching.  Read the history here. Consider yourself invited!

Pronghorn babies

The drought has been hard on wildlife in the region, and the pronghorn populations appear to be affected.  However, we DO see them out, and last night, we saw a mother and three babies along Hwy 17 between Fort Davis and Marfa!

Click on the photos for a closer view!

Firing a Civil War Ordnance--Fort Davis National Historic Site

Remingtons Coming to Alpine!

The Charge of the Rough Riders
by Frederic Remington
to be shown at the Museum of the Big Bend

Legendary Western artist Frederic Remington’s works – including an original painting on tour for the first time – will be featured in an upcoming exhibit at the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University.

                “Treasures from the Frederic Remington Art Museum,” including the original painting, “The Charge of the Rough Riders,” opens Sept. 19 as part of a gala weekend. Painted in 1899, “The Charge of the Rough Riders” commemorated the charge of Teddy Roosevelt’s troops up Cuba’s San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War. The epic original has been on display in the Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg, N.Y., and will be on tour for the first time.

                Opening events will include scholarly presentations and lectures, dinners, receptions and live and silent auctions at various locations, including the museum, Sul Ross, Fort Davis National Historic Site, the Gage Hotel, Marathon, and Alpine’s Holland Hotel.

                This historic exhibit, which will be open to the public from Sept. 21-Dec. 8, will display a large number of Frederic Remington’s best known works, including the iconic sculpture, Broncho Buster and The Charge of the Rough Riders.  In celebration of this exhibit, four of the nation’s leading Remington scholars will be presenting new scholarship and research during the course of the weekend’s events.  Presenters include Peter Hassrick, Dr. Ron Tyler, Dr. B. Byron Price and Michael Duty.

Horse Study

                “Remington is the biggest name in Western Art and this is the biggest art event in our history,” said Liz Jackson, Museum director. “We are not only bringing the never-before toured painting, The Charge of the Rough Riders to our museum but we will be bringing together the best in Remington scholars.  This event is significant for the museum, Sul Ross State University, and the Big Bend region as a whole.”

                Sul Ross President Dr. Ricardo Maestas said, “Frederic Remington is considered perhaps the most influential and important artist to portray the American West. The Sul Ross community is pleased to host this monumental exhibition in our award-winning museum facilities.”             

Ticketed events for opening weekend are as follows:

                Thursday, Sept. 19: Speakers and Sponsors dinner, 6 p.m.“Racism & Patronage,” presented by Peter Hassrick..Hosted by The Gage Hotel, Mary Jon & J.P. Bryan.

                Friday, Sept. 20:  3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Frederic Remington lectures,“Frederic Remington’s Vision of “The Man with the Bark On,” presented by Dr. Ron Tyler; “Remington as an Equine and Equestrian Artist,” presented by Dr. B. Byron Price; Vic and Mary Jane Morgan University Center, Sul Ross.

                6-8 p.m.: Exhibit opening and reception, “Treasures from The Frederic Remington Art Museum,” Museum of the Big Bend.            

Saturday, Sept. 21: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Private tour and BBQ lunch,  The Fort Davis National Historic Site, Fort Davis.                             

                6 p.m.: Frederic Remington Gala, cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, music, lecture, “Frederic Remington’s Legacy,” by Michael Duty; The Holland Hotel, Alpine.

                “Treasures from The Frederic Remington Art Museum” exhibit and event are being made possible through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mallory, The Holland Hotel, and West Texas National Bank.  Additional sponsors include The Gage Hotel, Mary Jon & J.P. Bryan and Carol and Pete Peterson and many others.  Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

                Museum hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission and parking are free. Enter through Entrance B off of Harrison Road.  Private tours may be scheduled in advance.  For more information, visit www.sulross.edu/museum or call (432) 837-8143.

Last night's sky

And moments later, around the corner:

In Marfa last night along Hwy 90 looking west.

National Trails Day Hike in Big Bend Ranch State Park, June 1

Cinco Tinajas, Big Bend Ranch State Park

A notice from our friends at Big Bend Ranch State Park: 

Take a guided hike at Big Bend Ranch State Park on June 1^st and join the Nation in celebration of “National Trails Day”. It will be good for your body, your mind, and your soul!

Come on out on Saturday, June 1^st and celebrate this year’s “National Trails Day” by hiking with us here at Big Bend Ranch State Park. “National Trails Day” is a nationwide celebration of trails and how they can help you more fully experience and enjoy Your Parks. We will hike about 1.5 miles round trip and take in the spectacular panoramic views from on the top of the ridge trail while hiking over to the Cinco Tinajas overlook and then back around and down to the head of the canyon and the first of the tinajas. If you do not know what these “Cinco Tinajas” are, then join us and find out.

The hike will take around 2.5 hours over terrain with loose rocks, so wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring at least 20 ounces of water, sunscreen, hat, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and of course your camera.

Meet at Sauceda Headquarters at 8:45 on that Saturday morning. Sauceda is located in the interior of BBRSP about 1.5 hours drive over a dirt/gravel road from Presidio. There is no charge for this guided hike, and the regular entry fee for 13 years and over is $3.00 per person. For more information and sign-up for the hike, please call the park directly at (432) 358-4444 by May 29^th. All are encouraged to stay over at Sauceda to have ample time to enjoy the park. Lodging can be reserved by calling (512) 389-8919.

We look forward to sharing our Park Trails with you! 

This event is posted on our Texas Mountain Trail web calendar, here. 

Wheels for Meals Princess Tour!

Click on the poster for an easier read!

One of our region's great cycling events is the Jeff Davis County Food Pantry's Wheels for Meals ride every October.  This is a fundraising ride for the good work of the Food Pantry,  and now there is a new, fun option for "easy" riders, their Princess Tour!  

Only 12 riders will be accepted into the Princess Tour, and they'll receive the ROYAL TREATMENT!

• Private van ride to the top of the mountain for an 18 mile DOWNHILL ride!
• Chocolate croissants, orange juice and espresso on the van!
• Princess worthy surprises!

All riders are required to register and raise at minimum of $250 in pledges for the Food
Pantry.  Where does the money go?  Read below from their website:

click on the poster for easier reading

"Since 1998, the Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County has been offering supplemental food to about 20% of the families in the county. Our distribution is twice a month in Fort Davis and Valentine.  These families have a total income below poverty line.  The food is purchased through USDA and Feeding America.  The Food Pantry also works with the West Texas Food Bank and local grocery stores to provide a variety of healthy meals. 

Each year, The Food Pantry distributes more than 40 tons of food to more than 155 households. The average number of people in each household is 2.6 with an income of $13,866.099 a year which is far below the US poverty guideline. 

The Food Pantry also supports a school lunch program for the students in Fort Davis since there is no program at the school."

To sign up as a rider, click HERE for the registration form!  Click HERE for more information!