The town of Fort Davis TX with a population of just over 1000 people is a charming small town, but surprisingly short on services for the number of tourists that must come through. For example, we had trouble locating the town's only diesel pump at one of the two filling stations in town.
This place looks like a trip
Texas windmill
Texas hospitality
The main attraction in town is old Fort Davis which is a National Historic Site. It survives as one of the best examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post. From 1854 to 1891 Fort Davis protected travelers on the Trans-Pecos section of the San Antonio/El Paso Road.
Entrance to Fort Davis
Exercise yard
Some of the original adobe buildings still stand
The other main attraction close to Davis is the McDonald Observatory operated by the University of Texas at Austin. This part of Texas is known for its lack of light pollution and clear skies making for excellent viewing of the stars at night. The Visitors Center holds popular Star Gazing parties for the public. Unfortunately, we missed one of these. Below is a Texas Bucket List presentation about the observatory and its programs.
Since we have miles to make, we don't really stay as long in the Davis Mountains as we would have liked. After spending the night at the Prude Ranch, we again take Texas Hwy 17, but this time we are driving north to Pecos TX. Despite its notoriety as a wild Texas town, there doesn't seem to be much happening the morning we drove through.
Long lonesome road in West Texas going to Pecos
Parts of Pecos have seen better days
The museum looks fun, but it doesn't appear to be open
About the only activity we see around Pecos is fracking for oil.
From Pecos, we take Hwy 285 towards the New Mexico state line. Finally after several hours of driving we cross the border into New Mexico.
Looks like this sign's been used for target practice
We drive up and over the Sacramento Mountains descending into Alamogordo NM where we plan to spend the night. We arrive in town a little before sunset.
Retro space theme
The County Fair must be happening
Ahh - here's where we're staying
We chosen the Boot Hill RV Park for the night. It looks like a fun place and we're happy to stop here.
Oh to be at the McDonald Observatory where the stars are the biggest and brightest in the state of Texas.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the Observatory video. Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.
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