Trip to Fort Davis --- Day Two

On Tuesday we went for a drive! There's so much to do and see in this part of Texas, and if you enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Texas desert, this is the place for you. It's still, it's quiet. I dare you to stand on the hillside anywhere here, take a few deep breaths and feel the rush, worry, stress and all outside influences melt right off.

First stop was Marfa, where we walked through downtown and through the historic Paisano Hotel. Here's another place I'd like to stay some day -- they are famous for housing the actors during the making of the movie Giant, the greats such as Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean.

A shoe-shine stand - a sign of times past, for sure!

We drove around to see how much the town has changed since we were here last. (it appears that the Thunderbird where we stayed last time we were in Marfa has closed down. It looked deserted and their website is wonky.) Then we went looking for the newest hotel in Marfa, the Hotel St. George. It's a blocky, grey building -- very modern looking -- and the Marfa Book Company is in one corner of the building. 

Our next stop was Presidio where we visited the Fort Leaton State Historic Site. This was not a military fort, rather a border trading post established by Benjamin Leaton.  The structure was built in a fort like manner to protect the inhabitants from Indian raids. The high ceilings and thick wall made the interior very nice a cool. 

There was a good exhibit about the types of medicine practiced back in the day -- many of the items were examples of herbs and plants used by curanderas of the area. This is a fascinating subject -- so many of our herbs and plants are the basis of modern medicine.   

 The outside couryard held a huge wagon

 They used the local ocatillo cactus as covering over shade areas. Yikes! Pity the very tall man!

 There were examples of the types of items that were offered in the trading post, from the practical to the fancy!

 Baby bed with a woven rope bottom

 A window overlooking the desert in one of the main sitting rooms used for social occasions. I loved how the sun was coming through this window.

 We continued on to LaJitas, and stopped to see the balancing rocks at Big Bend Ranch State Park.  This park runs for miles and miles and miles through the desert, coming very close to the Rio Grande river all the while.  

 Texas on our side, Mexico on the other!

 We stopped in Terlingua for a very late lunch.  We were looking for the Starlight Theater where we had eaten on our last visit out to this area, but they weren't open for lunch.  We ended up at the High Sierra Bar & Grill. Very delicious Mexican and American food, and they have plenty of options on their menu. 

We got back to Fort Davis fairly late and ended up with a cheese and cold cut platter for dinner with some box wine, cause that's how we roll! ha!  Day three will be dedicated to the Fort Davis area.