Guadalupe Mountains National Park, originally uploaded by NationalParkLover.
If you are planning a trip to West Texas, be sure to put the Guadalupe Mountains National Park on your itinerary. In addition to being stunningly beautiful, it boasts one of the finest examples of fossilized reef in the world. It is fascinating to behold.
There is solitude here, and silence. Hikers will revel in over 80 miles of trails traversing woodland canyons and riparian springs. (more…)
One More Cast – Sunset On Lake Amistad Jan 06, originally uploaded by Charles & Clint.
Lake Amistad is a beautiful lake just north of Del Rio, in the southeastern corner of West Texas; it straddles the border with Mexico. The 540 miles of Texas coastline include the Amistad National Recreation Area. There is so much to do and see here that it makes sense to get comfortable in a West Texas Bed and Breakfast for a while, and take your time exploring the region. (more…)
Sunset Odessa Texas, originally uploaded by chasqui01.
Odessa, in the northern section of West Texas, has a lot going for it -including spectacular sunsets like the one pictured above. Read on to learn a little more about this city on the western edge of the state. (more…)
The next time you happen to be in West Texas, consider spending a few days at Fort Davis Texas bed and breakfasts. There are several good reasons to visit Fort Davis, such as its incredible Desert Nature Center Botanical Gardens and Fort Davis National Historic Site.
Fort Davis National Historic Site sits at the foot of Sleeping Lion Mountain and Hospital Canyon. It is one of the best-preserved 19th Century frontier forts in the country. In addition to the well-maintained buildings, there are interpretive and historical displays throughout that help bring the history of Fort Davis alive. Anyone who is interested in the early military history of the United States simply must make time to stop at the fort. Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy the hiking trails that lead from the fort up into the Davis Mountains.
The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens is four miles south of Fort Davis. It spread over 500 acres of beautiful West Texas land, with Mt. Livermore visible to the north and Blue Mountain to the southwest. Visitors will appreciate the informative Visitor’s Center, the Leapin’ Lizard Gift Shop, the arboretum, and the large greenhouse that houses over 200 species of Chihuahuan Desert cacti. Hikers may either head down to Modesta Canyon Springs or up to Clayton’s Overlook. If time allows, bring a picnic and do both.
These are just two of the attractions that Fort Davis Texas has to offer. Many more experiences await the traveler, from glider rides to wine tastings. If you are thinking about visiting, look into a Fort Davis bed and breakfast now.
Ah…West Texas. Open sky, clear nights.
While in West Texas, take advantage of your proximity to the world-famous McDonald Observatory and visit it. Located just 16 miles north west of Fort Davis, Texas, the astronomical facilities at McDonald Observatory are perched atop Mt. Locke, 6,791 feet above sea level. Tour the research facilities during daylight hours, and partake in the solar viewing parties. Dine on healthful, delicious food in the beautifully situated StarDate Cafe, which overlooks the mountains
Plan to stay the in a Fort Davis Bed and Breakfast, and join one of the Star Parties that the Observatory puts on every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, after dark. Make sure to arrive early enough to catch the Twilight Program, which starts some time between 6pm and 8pm, depending on the season. Periodic Special Viewing nights allow visitors the chance to look through either a 36″ telescope, 82″ telescope, or 107″ telescope. According to the McDonald Observatory website, visitors will “explore the spiral arms of our galaxy to find nebulae and star clusters. Nebulae are the birthplace of new stars, but are also formed in the violent throes of stellar death and are quite beautiful. Young clusters of stars shine with the brilliant light of young, hot stars, while the oldest denizens of the Milky Way, the globular star clusters, contain hundreds of thousands of stars as old as the galaxy itself. We’ll take a look at galaxies beyond the Milky Way to put our stellar city in perspective.” The website goes on to warn that participants may never again be satisfied with their personal telescopes.
Travel to West Texas, and visit the McDonald Observatory. It will rock your world.
Texas Bed and Breakfast Association (TBBA)
P.O. Box 301596 | Austin, Texas 78703
Phone: 512-371-9884 | Toll Free: 800-HAT-0368
Fax: 512-407-8058 | E-mail: info@texasbb.org
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