
Can you call yourself a Texan without a trip to West Texas–Big Bend in particular? After living in Texas for 40 years, it’s time to check it out.
The carful of kids usually take a ski trip over the kids break but we couldn’t make a go of it this year. We didn’t have many vacation days left–trips to both sets of grandparents were promised and on the calendar.
Not to be discouraged, I pulled out my handy atlas that I have been toting around since 1994. Looking over the pages, nothing seemed to excite me until I flipped the page to West Texas. Taking a few minutes, I scanned it–Fort Davis, Marfa, Big Bend. Maybe.
Whipping out the laptop, I started checking around. Looked like enough to keep the carful of kids entertained for several days with wide-open spaces and plenty of sunshine. I’d pitch the idea to the kids at dinner.

Idea pitched and accepted. A little research, a few emails and a couple of phone calls, I had an itinerary pulled together.The carful of kids had driven through West Texas on our way to other places but this would be the first time we turn off Interstate 10 headed south.
Table of Contents
Day 1
Drive to West Texas Region from our home in Central Texas.
Grab a bite to eat at Storm’s in Burnet, TX
Stop at Fort Lancaster south of Sheffield, TX along I-10
Check out those Marfa Lights
Spend the night in Alpine, TX
Day 2
Drive on to Marfa and check out the art scene–Chinati in particular
Stop at Fort Davis National Historic Site earn a Junior Ranger Badge
Grab something to eat at Fort Davis Drug Store
Check out the night sky at McDonald Observatory for their star party
Spend the night at the Indian Lodge in Fort Davis State Park
Day 3
Drive to Big Bend National Park earn a Junior Ranger Badge
Spend the night in Terlingua, TX in a cozy cabin
Day 4
Another day in Big Bend to explore and hike
Spend the night in Del Rio, TX
Day 5
Head east through the Texas Hill Country stopping at Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Park
Spend the night in Kerrville, TX
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