Houston to Big Bend

[mrkane1952]

How much time do you plan to take?

A suggested route is SA to Uvalde to Del Rio to Amistad to
Seminole Canyon SP to Langtry to Marathon via US90. Then
south on US385 to the federal park, but plan to stay just
outside at the Stillwell Ranch, using your toad to see the
park. Then over to Terlingua/Study Butte to Bid Bend Ranch
SP to Lajitas to Presidio on the river road FM170. (Del Rio
and Presidio are the only legal crossings into Mexico on this
route.) Then go north on US67 to Marfa. See the Lights,
then go back on 90 to Alpine, or continue north on FM17 to
Fort Davis NP, Davis Mtn SP and the McDonald Observatory,
then on up FM17 to Balmorhea SP.

Diesel can be high along this route. Remember the distances:
From Marathon the closest fuel may be the store at Panther
Junction in Big Bend NP, which is about 70 miles. From there
it is about 30 miles to the next fuel in Study Butte to the
west. Alpine is usually cheapest and best for supplies generally,
but it is 80 miles north. Gasoline is more widely available.

In Marfa, see the museum about the film "Giant", the Chinati
Foundation galleries, and the lights.

See the restored fort in Fort Davis, stay in the Davis Mtn SP,
and visit the McDonald Observatory.

Camping for coaches is limited in Big Bend NP but the TX state
parks will fit my PT40.

Dine at the lodge in the Chisos Basin in BBNP, the lodge in
Davis Mtn SP, the steakhouse down the road from the Lost Alaskan
in Alpine.

Some links:

Amistad Reservoir National Park
<http://www.nps.gov/amis/>

Seminole Canyon SP (rock paintings)
<http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/finda...le_canyon/>

Judge Roy Bean
<http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Texas_...Texas\
.htm>

Marathon, TX (has campgrounds)
<http://www.marathontexas.com/>

Gage Hotel and restaurant, Marathon
<http://www.gagehotel.com/>

Stillwell Ranch store, museum and RV campground
<http://stillwellstore.com/>

US Big Bend National Park
<http://www.nps.gov/bibe/>

TX Big Bend Ranch SP
<http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/finda...end_ranch/>

Terlingua/Study Butte
<http://www.historic-terlingua.com/histor...wn_001.htm>

Chinati Foundation
<http://www.chinati.org/>

Favorite CG in Alpine
<http://www.lostalaskan.com/>

Museum of Big Bend at Sul Ross U, Alpine
<http://www.sulross.edu/pages/6395.asp>

Cactus Garden at Sul Ross, Alpine
<http://www.sulross.edu/pages/3503.asp>

McDonald Observatory
<http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/>

Fort Davis National Historic Park
<http://www.nps.gov/archive/foda/Fort_Dav...E/HOME.htm>

Davis Mountains SP
<http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/finda...mountains/>

Balmorhea SP
<http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/finda...balmorhea/>



--M.R.Kane
1987 PT40
currently Terrell, TX


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davisgr" wrote:
>
> While in this area we are considering going over to Big Bend National Park,
TX. We like avoiding interstates when possible, so does anyone have a reason
not to take the Hwy. 90 west route from San Antonio through Del Rio along the
border?
>
> And, any suggested must-see/must-eat/must-dos for this trip?
>
> Rick and Marilyn Davis
> 1993 WLWB, side aisle
> Freenezi
> Tellico Village, TN
> Currently in Houston
>