Texas Vacation 2022 - Day Four (Second Half) - McDonald Observatory, TX to Alpine, TX

 We left off with the Hobby-Eberle Telescope at the end of the last post and we are now starting down Mount Fawkes, where it is located.  Across the way, we can see McDonald Observatory, which was our first stop.

Zoom - 

The view as we head down once again.

On the valley floor lies the 82'-diameter radio telescope operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.  It looks like a giant satellite dish.  As we pass by, we are leaving the science behind us for a bit and moving back into the realm of untouched nature, in a sense, another branch of science.

I've gotten out the hummus and chips for a snack and my hands are covered in salt/oil when Mister says, "Javelina!! Get the camera."  By the time fingers are clean enough to do anything at all, most of the family is already across the road, but I do catch one straggler.  Look close.

They start up the hill beside us and I'm able to  follow for a short period before they are gone from view at all.  They are not the best pictures, I know, but there are javelina there, ya just gotta look for them.

A cholla cactus standing alone.  For some reason I want to call these "churro", which I guess makes sense as they sound similar and in some ways, look similar as well.  My sweetie just laughs.

We've opted to take the "scenic drive" back to Fort Davis - the total distance of the loop is about 75 miles, but we have about 25 of them already behind us.  Here we go.  Hope the scenery gets better, but I will admit that those first 25 miles were incredible and I regret not taking more pictures.

Sawtooth Mountain lies ahead.

More open spaces.

Part of "The Rock Pile"

The final section has us close to humans, once again, and we are finding calves in the fields.  It seems early, but there they are.  Mama is watching me --- cute.

Just outside Fort Davis, we pass these huge greenhouses run by Village Farms.  I am unable to get pictures but they show up again near Marfa and this time I'm ready.  Apparently, a TON of tomatoes are grown in both of these locations.

Ahhhh, Marfa, round two and this time we are here for a bit.  It's time to kick back and enjoy the rest of the day.

Remember that it is Mister's birthday and he is ready for a beer.  Planet Marfa seems to fit the bill.  This place is fun and funky all rolled into one.  It has a HUGE patio area with an outdoor bar and even offers some food on the menu.  It's PERFECT!  After ordering, a quick walk around so that y'all can see how quirky this place really is.  EVERY area has seating upstairs and down.

There are a group of local gents at the other side of the bar and they strike up conversation with us as we enjoy the moment.  It is also Astrid's, the bartender, birthday so lots of well wishes going on.

After a bit, we have asked each person for a recommendation on dinner for a nice birthday treat.  They were unanimous in their choice of The Marfa Spirit Co., a local distillery that does amazing food.  Locals always know so we follow their advice and hunt the place down.  Taking seats at the bar, we are oh so sad to discover that they are out of food for today.  Crap.  We still order one of their drinks enjoy some time.  Again, I'm wandering around trying to learn a bit about the place.  Outside, I spot a big bin of used sotol (the product they distill here) and meet Johnny, the distiller all at the same time.  He is waiting for a pickup of his waste to be used in an experimental project.  I know what it is, but won't break the confidence until they are ready to announce.  It's cool though.

Joining my sweetie, the drinks have arrived.  Choices are the Marfa Mule (mine) and a Chihuahuan Old Fashioned (Mister).  Soooooo good, but I really could use some food.  We also get a chance to sample the rum that Johnny told me was his pride and joy.  It's awesome!!!  Check out the bottom of the sample glass.  Never know what you'll find at the bottom of a drink.

We say out good-byes and head to the place that received the second highest rating with the locals and also approved by Marfa Spirits - The Waterstop.  Food at last.  We've decided to start the meal with Ginger Shots and they were yummy.  I'm craving some protein and opt for the Steak Frites, while Mister goes for the Pasta Rosso.  Both are simply delicious and we enjoy them out on the patio.  Nice.

It's a birthday and one needs dessert.  Mister chooses an Apple Brown Butter Crisp a la mode and OMG, there is easily enough for both of us, and I'm already stuffed.  Happy Birthday Sweetheart.

The day is passing us by and it's time to head to our final destination.  With the sun setting, it won't be long until the fun begins.

"What fun?," you might ask.  Well --- have you heard about The Marfa Lights?  The Marfa Mystery Lights are visible on many clear nights between Marfa and Paisano Pass as one looks towards the Chinari Mountains.  The lights may appear in various colors as they move about, split apart, meld together, disappear and reappear.  Sound crazy?  Well, it's true.  Here is the history:  "Robert Redd Ellison, a young cowboy, reported sighting the lights in 1883.  He spotted them wile tending a herd of cattle and wondered if they were Apache Indian camp fires.  Apache Indians believe these eerie lights to be stars dropping to the earth.  Many viewers have theories ranching from scientific to science fiction as they describe their ideas of aliens in UFO's, ranch house lights, St. Elmo's fire, or headlights from vehicles on US 67, the Presidio highway.  Some believe the lights are an electrostatic discharge, swamp gasses, moonlight shining on veins of mica, or ghosts of Conquistadors searching for gold.  An explanation as to why the lights cannot be located is an unusual phenomenon similar to a miracle, where atmospheric conditions produced by the interaction of cold and warm layers of air bend light so that it can be seen from afar, but not up close.  The mystery of these lights still remains unsolved."

Are you curious?  We sure are.  Arriving at a viewing location east of Marfa, we settle with others who are also curious.  I WISH I had pictures of what transpired, but suffice to say --- we did see the lights and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  It's fascinating fun to be a part of something we just can't quite understand.  Beam me up, Scotty.  This is NOT our picture, but very similar to what we saw.

Wow --- now it's time to head back to the cabin for the night and the first thing I do is make for the shower and warmth.  It's not as cold as last night, but we've been out a bit and I'm chilled.  While I'm showering and preparing for bed, Mister has set up his camera outside to enjoy the sky full of stars.  I decide to take him a quilt so he won't be so cold and don't quite realize where he is sitting.  I have flip flops on and step onto a sticker/thorn/whatever bush.  Ugh.  I give him the quilt and gingerly make my way back to the light so that I can relieve my poor feet, misjudging the distance to the step and fall right over another sticker/thorn/devil from hell bush.  NOW, I'm truly in pain and it takes a bit to get me inside, remove all the stickers and clean up the blood running down my legs.  I have scratches ALL OVER my entire body as all I had on was a thin pair of pajamas.  My arm is the ONLY spot I'll share, but, believe me, it's bad.  ARGH.

At any rate, I get settled into bed and Mister returns to the sky.  I'll share a few of the pics he took.  I'm not sure how he did it, but it was a LOT darker out than this looks, trust me.  Aren't these just amazing?  The stars at night are big and bright ---- deep in the heart of Texas.  Truth.

Well, that's the end of day four and it's been grand.  Tomorrow we are going back down to Big Bend and the hiking boots are going on.  I'll see ya in that post.  (Today's map)