West Texas Adventure: Stargazing, BBQ, and a Touch of the Unexplained
Mullethead and Hambone, the intrepid Texan adventurers, embark on a star-studded odyssey across the vast expanse of West Texas in their truck “Starshine Express”.
So buckle up, space cowboys (and cowgirls!), for a road trip filled with quirky towns, otherworldly encounters, and breathtaking night skies.
Kicking Off in Quirky Marathon
Their adventure kicked off in the charming town of Marathon. Mullethead, with his penchant for the unusual, found them lodging at the Marathon Motel, RV Park, & Skypark.
This astro haven, adorned with rustic West-Texas decor, was the perfect base for their quest for the unexplained.
Danny, the spunky owner, greeted them with a warm Texas welcome and a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Chasing our dark sky’s are we?” he chuckled, setting the tone for their adventure.
As dusk settled, casting long shadows across the dusty landscape, Danny pointed them toward the motel’s stargazing facilities.
Armed with star charts, enthusiasm (Mullethead), and skepticism (Hambone, the voice of reason), they spent the evening lost in the celestial dance above.
The Milky Way stretched across the inky black canvas, a breathtaking river of starlight.
They spotted constellations, marveled at distant planets, and even glimpsed a shooting star streak across the velvet sky.
Then, an eerie silence descended upon the desert, followed by a low hum, unlike anything they’d ever heard. The hairs on the backs of their necks stood on end.
Mullethead, ever the believer, declared it a message from beyond the stars.
Hambone, ever the logician, tried to explain it away as wind whistling through the cacti (but even he wasn’t entirely convinced).
Under a sky teeming with stars and a lingering sense of mystery, they drifted off to sleep, their heads filled with visions of spaceships and celestial wonders.
Courtesy of The Hotel Paisano
Marfa: Art, BBQ, and Mysterious Lights
The next morning, with the desert sun warming their faces, after greeting their truck with “good morning Starshine” they set off for Marfa, a town known for its artistic spirit and the elusive Marfa lights.
Here, their stomachs rumbled in unison, leading them to the legendary James Beard-nominated Convenience West BBQ.
The joint looked like it was squatting in an abandoned old-school gas station, where the windows still bore the previous owner’s name along with various oil and gas stickers, adding to the vibe.
Forget gas station grub—while listening to eclectic pop-rock covers, they devoured melt-in-your-mouth brisket, pork spare ribs, and sides that would make their grandma proud.
Mullethead, the carnivore, declared it the pinnacle of Texas barbecue (a bold claim, but hey, the man can eat!).
With satisfied bellies and a renewed sense of adventure, they explored Marfa. Their first stop was the Chinati Foundation, a contemporary art museum housed in a former military base.
Vast hangar-like spaces filled with thought-provoking installations and sculptures awaited.
Hambone, usually the history buff, found himself surprisingly engaged by the avant-garde art.
Mullethead, well, let’s just say he prefers the more “recognizable” forms (think cowboys and longhorns).
Marfa’s Mystery Calls
As the day wore on, they checked into the historic Hotel Paisano, a charming Spanish revival building that oozed with Marfa’s unique spirit.
With the anticipation of witnessing the Marfa lights buzzing in their minds, they grabbed a quick dinner and headed towards the designated viewing area just outside of town.
The desert night was an inky black canvas sprinkled with a million twinkling stars. The air crackled with a strange energy, a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement. And then they saw them: faint, flickering orbs dancing on the distant horizon.
Were they car headlights? Or something more? The mystery hung heavy in the air, leaving them with more questions than answers.
But one thing was certain: the Marfa lights lived up to their legend, igniting their imaginations and leaving them yearning for an explanation.
Santa Elena Canyon courtesy of visitbigbend.com
Big Bend National Park: Majesty and Delight
The next day, the call of the wild (or maybe just the desire to escape the lingering Marfa mystery) led them to the majestic Big Bend National Park.
As they drove through the vast Chihuahuan Desert landscape, the rugged beauty of the land took their breath away.
Their first stop was Santa Elena Canyon, a towering natural wonder carved by the Rio Grande River.
Towering limestone walls, sculpted by millions of years of water erosion, rose on either side, creating a narrow passage that felt almost cathedral-like.
Mullethead, ever the adventurer, couldn’t resist climbing the loose rock scree at the base of the canyon for a closer look, much to Hambone’s nervous disapproval.
Next, they ventured deeper into the park, arriving at the Chisos Basin Lodge area.
Here, amidst a forest of towering Ponderosa pines, they embarked on the Chisos Basin Window Trail.
The moderate hike offered breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, a feast for the eyes, and a welcome change from the arid desert landscape.
Chisos Mountain Devine Dining
After their hike, their growling stomachs led them to the Chisos Mountain Lodge restaurant.
Here, they enjoyed elevated, tried-and-true American food, with a few Mexican specialties and cactus pear margaritas (Mullethead’s personal favorite).
Refueled and relaxed, they checked into their Roosevelt Stone Cottage at the lodge, a cozy haven nestled amidst the pines.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, they sat on their cabin porch, mesmerized by the star-studded spectacle above.
The vastness of the sky and the profound silence of the mountains created a sense of awe and wonder.
Here, under the watchful gaze of the Milky Way, they recounted their adventures thus far, with the Marfa lights adding a touch of mystery to their journey.
Looking downstream into Boquillas Canyon
NPS/M. Schuler
Boquillas Canyon Overlook: A Glimpse into Mexico
The next morning, their Texas spirit led them to the Boquillas Canyon Overlook.
This scenic viewpoint offered stunning views of the Rio Grande snaking its way through the desert canyon and the colorful village of Boquillas del Carmen nestled on the Mexican side.
Here, a unique cultural exchange takes place: local vendors set out individually priced trinkets, artwork, and jewelry, which tourists can purchase using the honor system, depositing payment in a lock box.
Mullethead, never one to shy away from a good bargain (or a quirky experience), bought a brightly colored woven bracelet for Millie back home (his ever-patient wife).
Hambone decided on two elaborately carved wooden walking sticks (his wife Hillary is an avid hiker).
After soaking in the view and experiencing the unique border tradition, it was time to reluctantly say goodbye to Big Bend National Park.
The vastness and beauty of the park had left an indelible mark on them, a reminder of the power and majesty of nature.
Back to Marfa: Farewells and Reata’s Renowned Cuisine
Leaving the park behind, they retraced their steps back to Marfa.
Checking out of Hotel Paisano, they bid farewell to the charming town, its artistic spirit, and the lingering mystery of the Marfa lights, leaving them with a desire to return someday.
With rumbling stomachs, they set their sights on Alpine, a town known for its historic charm and delicious food scene.
Lunchtime found them at the renowned Reata restaurant, a local institution known for its upscale take on traditional Texas cuisine.
Here, they indulged in perfectly cooked steaks, melt-in-your-mouth Jalapeno Cheddar Grits, and decadent desserts.
Hambone, ever the history buff, relished the opportunity to peruse the restaurant’s walls, adorned with historic photographs and memorabilia of the region.
Mullethead, meanwhile, focused on the more important task—savoring every bite of his meal.
courtesy of visitalpinetx.com
Alpine’s Museum Of The Big Bend and a Chihuahuan Desert Encounter
With satisfied appetites, they ventured to the Sul Ross State Museum of the Big Bend.
This museum housed a treasure trove of local history, from dinosaur fossils unearthed in the Chihuahuan Desert to artifacts showcasing the lives of the indigenous peoples who once inhabited the region.
Hambone spent many happy hours engrossed in the exhibits, regaling Mullethead with fascinating facts about the area’s past.
Mullethead, however, found himself more captivated by the museum’s Andy Warhol: Cowboys and Indians portfolio and the Tom Lea: Western Beef Cattle collection, a series of rarely exhibited paintings by the late El Paso artist Tom Lea tracing the history of cattle in Texas.
As they left Alpine and headed towards Fort Davis, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the desert landscape.
Suddenly, Mullethead slammed on the brakes, his eyes wide with excitement.
A herd of pronghorn antelope, their graceful forms silhouetted against the golden light, stood grazing on the roadside.
Mullethead, ever the enthusiastic photographer, fumbled with his camera, capturing the fleeting beauty of these swift creatures.
Hambone, ever the trivia dispenser, regaled him with facts about these North American speedsters.
A few miles down the road, another unexpected encounter awaited them.
A herd of Aoudad sheep emerged from behind a rocky outcrop, their impressive horns curling majestically from their heads.
Mullethead, never one to miss a photo opportunity, screeched to a halt once more. T
This time, Hambone joined in the fun, snapping pictures with his phone as the sheep grazed unconcernedly nearby.
The desert, it seemed, was teeming with surprises.
courtesy of visitalpinetx.com
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens
Next, they stopped to explore the nearby Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens.
Here, amidst the sprawling desert landscape, they learned about the unique plants and animals that thrive in this harsh environment.
Hambone, always the knowledge sponge, soaked up information about the resilient cacti and the fascinating adaptations of desert creatures.
Mullethead meanwhile, initially skeptical of a “botanical garden” in the middle of nowhere, found himself surprisingly captivated by the beauty of the blooming desert wildflowers.
courtesy of tpwd.texas.gov
A Night at the Historic Indian Lodge
Seeing dusk would soon arrive, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape, they pulled into Fort Davis.
Their home for the night was the historic Indian Lodge nestled within the Davis Mountains State Park.
The lodge, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is modeled after southwestern Native Pueblos and has adobe walls more than 18 inches thick, exuding a rustic charm.
After checking in and unpacking their belongings, they ventured out to explore.
The area is bordered by the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop, a winding road that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
As they navigate the loop, the last rays of the sun paint the mountains in hues of orange, pink, and purple, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty.
Mullethead, with a childlike sense of wonder, kept pulling over for photographs, while Hambone, ever the romantic, simply marveled at the natural spectacle unfolding before them.
McDonald Observatory courtesy of mcdonaldobservatory.org
Stargazing Extravaganza at McDonald Observatory
That evening, their stargazing quest continued with a visit to the McDonald Observatory, a world-renowned astronomical research facility perched atop Mount Locke.
Here, they joined a star party, where a knowledgeable guide led them on a celestial exploration.
Through powerful telescopes, they peered into the depths of the universe, marveling at distant galaxies, swirling nebulas, and the breathtaking beauty of the cosmos.
Mullethead, usually a picture of bravado, found himself humbled by the vastness of space.
Hambone, on the other hand, was in his element, asking insightful questions about the universe’s origins and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
courtesy of tpwd.texas.gov
A Cool Dip at Balmorhea State Park
The next morning, with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of the night sky, they set off for the final leg of their journey, back to San Antonio.
However, one last stop awaited them: Balmorhea State Park.
Nestled amidst the desert landscape, this park boasts the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool, a perfect way to cool off after their long adventure.
Mullethead, never one to shy away from a refreshing dip, dove into the frigid, crystal-clear water with a loud whoop.
Hambone, the cautious one, waded in slowly, eventually succumbing to the allure of the cool water.
Refreshed and invigorated, they continued their journey.
Lunchtime found them at the family-owned La Cueva de Oso restaurant near Balmorhea.
Here, they feasted on delicious, authentic Tex-Mex cuisine, with Mullethead raving about the “best cheese enchiladas this side of the Mississippi” (a bold claim, but one he wholeheartedly believed).
Back in San Antonio: Memories Made
Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the familiar landscape, they rolled into San Antonio.
Their dusty truck, the “Starshine Express,” pulled into Mullethead’s driveway, marking the end of their West Texas odyssey.
Unpacking their gear and reminiscing about their adventures, they realized their trip had been much more than just a stargazing adventure.
They had encountered quirky towns, breathtaking landscapes, and a touch of the unexplained (the humming sound at the Marathon Motel, the elusive Marfa lights).
But most importantly, they had rediscovered a sense of wonder and appreciation for the vastness and beauty of the world around them.
Okay, Partners, That’s All Folks!
So, partners, if you’re ever hankerin’ for a stargazing adventure of your own, a road trip filled with history, quirky encounters, and a touch of the unexplained, then West Texas awaits!
Whether you’re a believer in extraterrestrial life or simply a curious soul seeking adventure under a vast night sky, this region has something to offer everyone.
Did you ever have a strange encounter you couldn’t explain? Share your stories in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your own West Texas adventures (UFO sightings or not!).
