Throwback Thursday: Big Bend

Check out my blog post from 2010 where you can clearly see my forecasted return to this beloved area. That last line! Also we were Vanlife before #vanlife was cool.

"The intriguing desert area of West Texas covering a massive amount of territory between the bookends of Big Bend and Guadalupe National Parks is a wonder to behold. What I had previously thought of as desolate land is actually dotted with thriving communities, each with its own identity. On the south end, between Big Bend National and State Parks, is the former ghost town of Terlingua, whose ambiance of music and adventure is solidly pioneered by the Starlight Theater. We camped at Las Ruinas in town which provides canvas tents, bathrooms, cooking facilities and a “lounge” in a former school bus.

Further north, spread along Hwy 90, the tri-villages of Marathon, Alpine and Marfa are the heart of the Big Bend area. The small and picturesque Marathon provides ample opportunity for quiet reflection and star-gazing among the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Alpine is the most practical of these municipalities, with grocery and hardware stores, yet boasting revelry and music at Railroad Blues and Harry’s Tinaja. We stayed at the Lost Alaskan RV Resort which has sparkling clean bathrooms, friendly guests and a fabulous staff. Marfa is known as the artsy and sophisticated town, with massive installations at Donald Judd’s Chinati Foundation, many replanted East Coasters and a thriving dining scene at Maiya’s, Alice’s Cafe and the Pizza Foundation, to simply name a few. For a taste of the rowdy underbelly, head over to Padre’s for live music and lots of bar games. We were lucky to have a private home to stay in, which fortunately off-set the pricey lifestyle favored in Marfa. Heading further north into the Davis Mountains, Fort Davis seems to be the most conservative and hearty village, backed by the Fort Davis National Historic Site, the McDonald Observatory and great hiking and camping in the Fort Davis State Park.

In addition to these five communities, small towns such as Valentine provide opportunities for ramshackle and/or fancy living, as well as huge tracts of Texas realty available for ranches or simple off-the-grid living. With the hot days and cold nights, the desert is fantastic this time of year, providing an excellent climate for hiking and exploring the seemingly endless desert and mountains. These recreation prospects, coupled with the fascinating and fun atmosphere of the varied towns make the Big Bend area of West Texas a great place to spend a vacation, season or a lifetime."