This Week in Alpine:

• February 7th – The Sul Ross Black Student Association invites you to the grand opening of the Civil Rights Exhibit in the Espino Conference Center from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• February 9th – The Lobo Basketball Teams will take on Shreiner in the Gallego Gym at 5:30 p.m.

• February 10th – The Alpine Country Club will host a Texas Hold’em Round Up Tournament from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reserve your spot as soon as possible because this event is limited to 70 participants. Prizes will be given to those that make it to the final table.

• February 11th – Grupo de la Paz will hit the stage at the Railroad Blues at 10 p.m. A $6 cover will get you in to see this electric Latin band.

• February 11th – Head out to the Big Bend Thrift Store on the corner of 5th Street and Avenue A for Alpine’s weekly Farmer’s Market. This quaint event features fresh veggies from local growers, baked goods and homemade crafts.

This Week in Big Bend:

• Who needs scheduled events when you have soaring mountains, a roaring river and an abundance of wildlife? Enjoy the natural beauty of Big Bend this week!

This Week Fort Davis:

• February 7th, 10th and 11th – The McDonald Observatory hosts Star Parties for visitors every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. These educational programs start at 6 p.m. and are considered a “can’t miss” attraction in West Texas!

This Week in Marfa:

• February 10th – The Tontons, Laura Gibson and the Young Girls will take the stage on Friday night at Padre’s Marfa. The Tontons are one of Houston’s hottest new acts and they are bringing their indie sound to West Texas for the first time. The show starts at 9 p.m. and there is a $6 cover at the door.

• February 11th – If you just can’t get enough of songstress Laura Gibson, you should stop by the Marfa Book Company on Saturday night! She will be performing tunes from her new album “La Grande.”  Trevor Reichman and Breathe Owl Breathe will open the show at 8 p.m.

• February 11th – Located along the railroad tracks on South Highland, Farm Stand Marfa features locally grown produce, food to-go and arts and crafts every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• February 11th – The final film in the AutoBody Film Collection presented at the Crowley Theater will be screened on Saturday night from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This heart-wrenching documentary from Asif Kapadia follows the life and death of legendary Brazilian motor racing champion, Ayrton Senna.

This Week in Terlingua:

• February 11th – The Terlingua Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ghost Town. Local produce, artisan cheeses and breads, handmade crafts and local art are all available for purchase.

• February 12th – Head to the Starlight Theater for their weekly Sunday Brunch. A bloody Mary bar and live music are just two reasons to get yourself out of bed and down to the Starlight. Brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Look at Next Week’s Events:

• February 13th – Big Bend Regional History Fair at Sul Ross State University

• February 16th – Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest in Big Bend National Park

• February 18th – Super Sully Saturday at Sul Ross State University

This Week in Alpine:

• February 3rd – The Railroad Blues will welcome The Texas Belairs to the stage this Friday night. This rocking Texas country band will start the show at 10 p.m.

• February 4th – Head out to the Big Bend Thrift Store on the corner of 5th Street and Avenue A for Alpine’s weekly Farmer’s Market. This quaint event features fresh veggies from local growers, baked goods and homemade crafts.

• February 5th – Head to the Railroad Blues and root for either the Patriots or the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. Jambalaya, garlic soup, bratwurst, fun and football are on the menu. Happy hour starts at 2 p.m. and there is no cover.

This Week in Big Bend:

• February 4th – The Big Bend Natural History Association’s 23rd Annual Pioneer Reunion will take place in the San Vicente School gym in Panther Junction from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Guest speakers at the event include: singer Craig Carter, author Diane Garner, artist Maisie Lee, Maggie Smith and Don Sholly. Tickets for this event are $15 and reservations are required. For more info or to get your ticket to the event call 432-477-2236.

This Week Fort Davis:

• February 4th – The Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce Annual Social & J.C. Duncan Scholarship Fundraiser will be held at the Hotel Limpia from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be hosted by the Blue Mountain Bistro. Money raised through this event benefits one or more graduating seniors from Fort Davis High School each year.

This Week in Marfa:

• February 4th – Located along the railroad tracks on South Highland, Farm Stand Marfa features locally grown produce, food to-go and arts and crafts every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• February 5th – Padre’s Marfa will host a Super Bowl party starting at 3 p.m. They will have the game projected onto the big screen indoors and on the TV out.

This Week in Terlingua:

• February 1st – Jobuk Johnson will entertain the patrons at the Starlight Theater and Restaurant with his smooth jazz sounds. Johnson refers to his unique mix of country and jazz guitar riffs as “Jackalope Jazz.” The show starts at around 7 p.m.

• February 4th – The Terlingua Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ghost Town. Local produce, artisan cheeses and breads, handmade crafts and local art are all available for purchase.

A Look at Next Week’s Events:

• February 11th – Grupo de la Paz at the Railroad Blues

• February 5th  – The Tontons and Laura Gibson at Padre’s Marfa

This Week in Alpine:

• January 26th – The Railroad Blues will welcome The Ataris to the stage for a very special Thursday night show! This alternative rock group has garnered national attention for their two radio hits and five albums. The fun starts at 10 p.m. and S.H.I.L.O. will open the show.

• January 26th – The Sul Ross State University Fine Arts and Communications Department will host San Antonio vocalists Shannon Marie Earle and Keith Earle. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Marshall Auditorium and will feature music by Mozart, Puccini, Lalo and Duke and other popular selections.

• January 28th – Head out to the Big Bend Thrift Store on the corner of 5th Street and Avenue A for Alpine’s weekly Farmer’s Market. This quaint event features fresh veggies from local growers, baked goods and homemade crafts.

This Week in Big Bend:

• January 28th – Big Bend National Park offers daily ranger-led events. Join Volunteer Jim Allen at 10 a.m. for a walk on the Lost Mine Trail this Saturday. Participants should meet at the Lost Mine Trailhead and bring water, a hat and good walking shoes. This breathtaking walk will take approximately two hours. For a list of other programs visit http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/interp-programs.htm.

This Week Fort Davis:

• January 28th – The Texas Master Naturalists Board of Directors invite members and interested citizens to the Indian Lodge Conference Room on Saturday at 10 a.m. for its “Pounding Party.” Attendees are asked to bring either a pound of lard or peanut butter, which will be used to make homemade bird food. Other activities include lunch, a nature hike and presentations by special guests. Attendees should RSVP to Ellen Weinacht at 432-375-2325 or ellen@rionet.coop.

This Week in Marfa:

• January 26th – Padre’s Marfa will host Grupo Fantasma on Thursday night. This Grammy award winning band will play their Latin Cumba hits starting at 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased at Padre’s.

• January 28th – Located along the railroad tracks on South Highland, Farm Stand Marfa features locally grown produce, food to-go and arts and crafts every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• January 29th – The Marfa Chamber of Commerce will celebrate their 100th Birthday with a party at Building 98 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event will also serve as the official launch of the 2012 Membership Drive. Cake and cocktails will be served and new levels of membership will be unveiled by Chamber leadership.

This Week in Terlingua:

• January 28th – The Terlingua Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ghost Town. Local produce, artisan cheeses and breads, handmade crafts and local art are all available for purchase.

• January 29th – The 11th Terlingua Area Home Tour will feature five unique homes that showcase a number of different construction techniques. A wine and cheese reception at Expresso y Poco Mas will follow each tour. Tour times are 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. This event benefits Last Minute Low Budget Production, a nonprofit group dedicated to the performing arts in South Brewster County.

A Look at Next Week’s Events:

• February 4th – Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce Annual Social & Scholarship Fundraiser

• February 5th  – Super Bowl Party at The Railroad Blues

The real estate market in West Texas continues to thrive while housing sales in other areas of the country are slow to recover from the national economic crisis. For purchasers ready to buy in 2012, West Texas offers a stable job market and a better long-term outlook than those regions harder hit by recent economic woes.

If current predictions of the mortgage industry hold true, mortgage interest rates should remain relatively low in 2012. The trick is to find an affordable home where settling in for the long term is both attractive and feasible.

Buying a vacation home in West Texas is a great option for those that love the area, but aren’t able to commit to living in the region year round. Home values suggest that this is a sound investment opportunity and can be a perfect way to generate rental income when not being used. Median home prices, as of January 2012, fit comfortably with the $150,000 to $200,000 range.

Positive Economic Indicators

According to a January 6, 2012 economic outlook report by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, growth in employment and an upturn in state sales tax revenue indicate that the Lone Star State is emerging from the recession. More people have moved to Texas during the first decade of the 21st century than to any other state — 4.3 million — indicating robust growth. Additionally, Texas industry has expanded its Gross State Product by 2.8 percent since 2010.

The state gained 226,000 new jobs between November 2010 and November 2011 and the unemployment rate dropped from 8.4 percent in October of 2011 to just 8.1 percent in November 2012, maintaining its 59 consecutive month record of meeting or beating the national unemployment rate.

With more jobs available, growth in state exports and strong purchasing indicators, Texas remains a popular choice for families wishing to purchase homes in a prosperous climate. West Texas, with all it has to offer growing families and retirees alike, represents fertile ground for planting the seeds of a secure economic future.

Texas Housing Market

Texas Comptroller Combs asserts that the state has been largely sheltered from the national real estate market collapse and subsequent home foreclosure crisis. Residential property values have not undergone the extreme ups and downs that they have in most other U.S. states over the past few years, indicating that homes in this state represent a more secure investment.

The number of Texas homes sold in November 2011 was greater by 8 percent than total home sales in November 2010, and the number of building permits issued for new construction statewide for the year ending in November 2011 was 50 percent greater than the total issued in the previous year.

The overall foreclosure rate for Lone Star State properties at the end of 2011 was one in every 961 mortgages, compared to one in 211 for California and one in 175 for Nevada. This comparatively low foreclosure ratio is due in part to a strong Texan economy and in part to a state law that prohibits homeowners from borrowing more than 80 percent of their property’s value.

So, whether you’re ready to take the plunge and move to West Texas or you just want a “home away from home,” buying a home in West Texas is a great choice for savvy home buyers in 2012.

About the Author: Over more than 15 years, MortgageLoan.com has built a reputation as the premier online publication for consumer-focused news and information for consumers who are looking to buy or refinance a home.

Fort Davis is a small town with a whole lot of personality! It may have fewer paved streets than the other major cities in the Tri-county area, but Fort Davis is a wonderful place to live and an even better place to visit. From the world-renowned McDonald Observatory to the National Historic Site, this friendly town will keep you busy.

Fort Davis is the highest town in Texas, but it seems to almost be nestled inside the Davis Mountains. This small town, population 1,050, is rich in history. The El Paso-San Antonio stretch of the Butterfield Company’s Overland Stagecoach Line road, or Overland Trail, ran through town in the 1800’s. In fact, the only existing unpaved portion of the original trail is still in use by residents today.

Hiking, biking, bird watching and other recreational opportunities are available from one end of Fort Davis to the other. The Davis Mountains State Park, H.E. Sproul Ranch and The Nature Conservancy of Texas all offer space for you to get out and play.

The following are the top five things that you shouldn’t miss out on in Fort Davis:

1. The McDonald Observatory

The McDonald Observatory brings visitors from around the world. Driving up the winding roads that lead to the observatory is almost as breathtaking as the views that guests are treated to when they peer into one of the huge telescopes that are on display. The observatory’s three largest instruments are the 362″ Hobby-Eberly telescope on 6,600-foot Mount Fowlkes and the 107″ Harlan J. Smith and 82″ Otto Struve telescopes on Mt. Locke. The observatory offers star parties every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night for thousands of visitors every week. The Frank N. Bash Visitor Center includes a gift shop, interactive displays and snacks at the StarDate Café.

Fort Davis National Historic Site

2. Fort Davis National Historic Site

3. The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens

Located on a 507-acre ranch, The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Center (CDRI) is home to a visitor’s center, an arboretum and a cactus and succulent greenhouse with over 200 species of cacti. There are also several hiking paths that keep visitors busy and offer an up close look at the natural beauty of the region. The CDRI is open Monday through Saturday from 9-5.

4. The Scenic Loop Drive

If you really want to see the natural beauty of West Texas, you shouldn’t miss out on the Scenic Loop Drive. This 75-mile drive leaves from Fort Davis and travels on Highway 118 through Limpia Canyon past Locke and Fowlkes Mountain and the McDonald Observatory and then into Madera Canyon. After a turn onto Texas 166, the road passes Mt. Livermore and Sawtooth Mountain. Other notable views include the Puertacita Mountains and Miter Peak. This winding drive will take about an hour and half and you should plan to stop at one of the numerous picnic areas along the way and enjoy a sack lunch in an amazing setting.

5. The Overland Trail Museum

Located on Fort Street, the Overland Trail Museum contains artifacts and other unique items that depict the early life in West Texas. Notable items include artifacts from the original Valentine Post Office, vintage photographs and a restored pioneer kitchen. The Fort Davis Historical Society owns and operates the Overland Trail Museum. The Museum is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

This Week in Alpine:

• December 31^st – The Railroad Blues will host The Lovelies on Saturday night. This rock powerhouse will provide the perfect soundtrack to take you into the New Year! The night will feature lots of party favors, champagne at midnight, a balloon drop & more! The fun starts at 10 p.m.
• December 31^st – The Sul Ross State University Lobo Basketball teams will take on Howard Payne this Saturday at the Gallego Gym. The women’s game starts at 1 p.m. and the men take the court at 3 p.m.
• December 31^st – Head out to the Big Bend Thrift Store on the corner of 5th Street and Avenue A for Alpine’s weekly Farmer’s Market. This quaint event features fresh veggies from local growers, baked goods and homemade crafts.

 This Week in Big Bend:

• December 31^st – The Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa will host their Annual New Year’s Eve Festival. This year, the Jon Hogan Band from Austin will be the featured performer. The fun will take place in the pavilion and good friends and good music are promised!  

This Week in Marfa:

• December 27^th-30^th – The Chinati Foundation will offer FREE children’s art classes this week. Dates and times are based on your child’s age and there are classes for ages 3 through 8^th grade. Don’t miss out on this fantastic philanthropic event hosted on the museum grounds! Sign up on the Chinati Foundation web site.  
• December 30^th – Ballroom Marfa is ringing in the New Year early with a film screening featuring a live score by multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily at the Crowley Theater. This year Ismaily has chosen Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid” as the featured movie. The doors open at 7 p.m.
• December 31^st – Padre’s Marfa will feature Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock on Saturday night. Colin Gilmore opens the show at 8 p.m. The bar will be open until 1 a.m. and tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance. The show is expected to sell out, so get them while they are hot!
• December 31^st – El Cosmico will host a New Year’s Eve party complete with champagne cocktails, xocolatl mole bitters, chocolate tamales and a mellophonic dj. There is no cover for this event and the fun starts at 5 p.m.
• December 31^st – Located along the railroad tracks on South Highland, Farm Stand Marfa features locally grown produce, food to-go and arts and crafts every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 This Week in Terlingua:

• December 31^st – The Starlight Theater and Restaurant will host Slim Richey and the Jitterbug Vipers on New Year’s Eve. The night will be full of swing dancing, champagne and party favors. There will be a $10 cover at the door.

• December 31^st – The Terlingua Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ghost Town. Local produce, artisan cheeses and breads, handmade crafts and local art are all available for purchase.
• January 1^st – In case you didn’t get enough at the Starlight the night before, they are hosting the First Annual Townes Van Zandt Wake on New Year’s Day. This event will feature music by Hank Woji, Ann Armstrong and Steve Hughes, The Rocky Top Alien Breeding Experiment, Stuart Burns, Emily Clepper, Kem Watts and more! Performances will start at 7 p.m.

A Look at Next Week’s Events:

• January 6^th – Maria Moss and Jon Hogan at Padre’s Marfa
• January 7^th – Josh Weathers and The True Endeavors at the Railroad Blues

This Week in Alpine:

• December 19th – 20th – Head to Kokernot Lodge and check out the 22nd Annual live Nativity Scene. Performances start at 7 p.m. and refreshments will be served. The scene will only be available Monday and Tuesday night, so don’t miss out!

• December 22nd – The Railroad Blues will feature two amazing bands on Thursday night! John Hogan and Maria Moss will showcase their original folk sound, followed by local favorites The Doodilin’ Hogwallops! The show starts at 10 p.m. and admission is only $5!

• December 23rd – Grupo de la Paz will host a Christmas Fiesta at the Railroad Blues on Friday night. Take a break before Christmas and head over for a good time! Bring your out of town guest too! The fun kicks off at 10 p.m.

• December 24th – Head out to the Big Bend Thrift Store on the corner of 5th Street and Avenue A for Alpine’s weekly Farmer’s Market. This quaint event features fresh veggies from local growers, baked goods and homemade crafts.

This Week in Big Bend:

• Who needs formal events when you are surrounded by the picturesque scenery of Big Bend National Park? Big Bend does host a multitude of events during the year, but this week you will have to just take a load off and enjoy the fresh mountain air!

This Week Fort Davis:

• December 20th and 23rd – The McDonald Observatory hosts Star Parties for visitors every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. These educational programs start at 6 p.m. and are considered a “can’t miss” attraction in West Texas! There will be no Star Party on Saturday this week in celebration of Christmas Eve.

This Week in Marfa:

• December 20th – The Marfa Book Company will host Augie Fernandes, Director of the West Texas Food Bank, at 6 p.m. Ultimately, the goal of the presentation is to familiarize the public with the food bank and work toward ending hunger in our area.

• December 24th – Located along the railroad tracks on South Highland, Farm Stand Marfa features locally grown produce, food to-go and arts and crafts every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This Week in Terlingua:

• December 23rd – Jobuk Johnson will entertain the patrons at the Starlight Theater and Restaurant with his smooth jazz sounds. Johnson refers to his unique mix of country and jazz guitar riffs as “Jackalope Jazz.” The show starts at around 7 p.m.

• December 24th – The Terlingua Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ghost Town. Local produce, artisan cheeses and breads, handmade crafts and local art are all available for purchase.

A Look at Next Week’s Events:

• December 27th – 30th – Chinati Art Classes for Children

• December 31st – New Year’s Eve at Padre’s Marfa

• December 31st – New Year’s Eve at El Cosmico

• December 31st – The Lovelies at The Railroad Blues

This Week in Alpine:

• December 12th – Pottery by Antonio Gonzalez will be on display in the Main Gallery of the Francois Fine Arts Building at Sul Ross State University beginning this Monday.
• December 14th – Hillside Baptist Church will host singer-songwriter Amy Shreve for a harp concert this Wednesday night. She will perform Christmas melodies and selections from her latest cd. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. and the concert is free to the public. As an added bonus, childcare and refreshments will be provided.
• December 15th – The Annual Chamber of Commerce 3rd Thursday Mixer and Christmas Party will be held at GSM Insurors of West Texas at 205 North Harrison Street. The event will also be a ribbon cutting for Alpine’s newest insurance office. The party starts at 6 p.m.
• December 16th – Alpine First Assembly of God Church will present a children’s theater production at 6:30 p.m. The play is called, “A Christmas to Believe In,” and guests will be delighted by the uplifting holiday sentiment.
• December 16th – The Zach Edwards Band will rock the stage at the Railroad Blues on Friday night. This edgy band mixes rock and county sounds to create a unique musical experience. The band will be on stage starting at 10 p.m.
• December 17th – Head out to the Big Bend Thrift Store on the corner of 5th Street and Avenue A for Alpine’s weekly Farmer’s Market. This quaint event features fresh veggies from local growers, baked goods and homemade crafts.
• December 18th – The 4th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes and Businesses will kick off at First Christian Church. The tour will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and tickets can be purchased for $10 in the fellowship of the church. For more information contact Carol Lewis at (432) 837-2284.

This Week in Big Bend:

• December 13th – Head to the Chisos Basin Amphitheater at 8:30 p.m. for, “Dinosaurs! Exciting, Entertaining and…Extinct?” This ranger-guided program will offer a look at the prehistoric creatures that roamed the Big Bend region long ago. Bring a flashlight for interactive fun!

This Week in Fort Davis:

• December 13th, 16th and 17th – The McDonald Observatory hosts Star Parties for visitors every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. These educational programs start at 6 p.m. and are considered a “can’t miss” attraction in West Texas!
• December 17th-18th – The Annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count will take place on Saturday in the Davis Mountains and Sunday in Balmorhea. Contact Marty Hansen at 432-426-3033 for more information on the Davis Mountains count and Mark Lockwood at mwlockwood@juno.com for the Balmorhea count.

This Week in Marfa:

• December 10th – Located along the railroad tracks on South Highland, Farm Stand Marfa features locally grown produce, food to-go and arts and crafts every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This Week in Terlingua:

• December 17th – THE Who Said Vaudeville, Was Dead? SHOW is Austin’s Vaudeville revival variety show, bringing vaudeville back from the dead and into the spotlight. The variety entertainment entails vintage music, vaudevillian comedy and circus aerial acts.  Join the charismatic cast at The Starlight Theatre for a night of side-splitting, jaw dropping and delightful vaudevillian entertainment.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and perhaps, you’ll die… wanting more.

Don't miss the Vaudeville Show at the Starlight Theater

• December 17th – The Terlingua Holiday Art Market will liven up Ghost Town from 10 a.m. until closing at the Boathouse. Local artists will have everything from oil paintings to jewelry for sale. Contact Ruth Jansyn at jansynr@gmail.com for more information.
• December 17th – The Terlingua Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ghost Town. Local produce, artisan cheeses and breads, handmade crafts and local art are all available for purchase.

A Look at Next Week’s Events:

• December 18th -20th – Live Nativity in Alpine
• December 22nd – The Doodlin’ Hogwallops at the Railroad Blues

Have you been to Big Bend National Park?

By: Robbie Robison

Big Bend National Park is the unpolished gem of the National Park Service.

It is a rare find with beauty lying in its rough and rugged contours and shape. Once seen the beholder recognizes there is no other like it in the world.

Big Bend National Park lies in the farthest point of Texas’ southwest border, the big bend of the Rio Grande River that makes up part of the iconic outline of the state. Due to its remote location no casual visits are made there. The park’s guests are almost all either diehard travelers or outdoor enthusiasts, and with the common denominator of park visitors being an appreciation for the sights, sounds and silence of nature it is not uncommon to leave having more friends than when you arrived.

It is impossible to enjoy everything offered in the park, or Big Bend as it is commonly called, in one trip. Made up of 800,000 acres of desert, mountains and river there is simply too much to do and see. The miles of paved roads in the park are in good condition and link together the four visitor centers operated by park rangers and also contains Big Bend camping through communal campsites and RV facilities. These roads provide stunning views of the Chisos Mountains and many interesting stops, such as Sam Nail Ranch. All that is left of the ranch is an old windmill that still works, pulling water from deep under the desert. The water has given birth to an oasis of trees that attracts a large variety of migrating birds, making it one of the top birding destinations in the country. Another short hike is through Santa Elena Canyon, often called the most scenic location in Big Bend. These beautiful scenes and short walks make a short stay at Big Bend National Park worth the trip.

Big Bend National Park

When visiting, be sure to pick up a Big Bend map. Big Bend has over 150 miles of desert and mountain hiking trails almost make the hiker’s dream of an endless trail come true. Approximately 130 miles of those trails are open to bicyclists who want to face the challenge of heat and hilly terrain.

Historic sites abound, including Castolon, where most of the buildings were erected as a cavalry camp to help protect against Pancho Villa’s raids. The many ruins in the park tell the stories of long gone, hardy inhabitants, and pictographs and petroglyphs from the areas earliest people are visible from the trail beside the Rio Grande that leads to the restful hot springs. Visitors should be sure to remember their cameras to capture their favorite Big Bend pictures.

Big Bend lodging offers creature comforts, too. The Chisos Basin Lodge has over 70 rooms and several modern cabins offering spectacular views for those who prefer to sleep in a bed rather than on the ground, and a restaurant is next door if cooking on a portable camping grill is not for you. A limited supply of groceries and camping supplies are available inside the park as is gasoline, diesel and LP gas. Showers are located at the Rio Grande Village Visitor Center for the hikers and bikers who want to wash off the sweat and grime proudly earned on the trail.

The stark beauty of Big Bend National Park will drift through your dreams, reminding you of the peaceful hours or exhilarating hikes you experienced. It is a unique ecosystem that has been thriving for years, and one that you can drive, hike or bike through. And once you do, you will be a part of it forever.

Photo by littlemoresunshine and by longhorndave.

This Week in Alpine:

• December 9th – The Cowboy Christmas Ball will be held this weekend at the Granada Theater. This annual event is regarded as one of the “events of the year” by many residents. Tickets can be purchased at Big Bend Saddlery and Johnson’s Feed & Western Store or through Chance Campbell, SRSU Rodeo Coach. The party starts at 7 p.m.
• December 9th – The Luke Olsen Band will bring their soulful country sounds to the Railroad Blues at 10 p.m.
• December 10th – “The Lost Colony: Texas Regionalist Paintings” art exhibit at the Museum of the Big Bend opens this Saturday. The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
• December 11th – The Alpine Community Band will put on a concert of Christmas music at the Marshall Auditorium at 3 p.m. This free event is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
• December 10th – Head out to the Big Bend Thrift Store on the corner of 5th Street and Avenue A for Alpine’s weekly Farmer’s Market. This quaint event features fresh veggies from local growers, baked goods and homemade crafts.

This Week in Big Bend:

• How about you head to the Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa for a massage at the Agave Spa? The holidays can be a stressful time of year and a facial or spa treatment is the perfect way to help you unwind!

This Week in Marfa:

• December 8th – The Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree will take place on Thursday night starting at 5 p.m. This family-friendly event will feature Christmas carols, a visit by Santa, refreshments and a couple of great holiday contests. Don’t forget to bring your canned goods as a donation to the West Texas Food Bank.
• December 9th-11th – LAND Presents “Nothing Beside Remains” weekend in Marfa. The Los Angeles Nomadic Division will host a weekend that includes performances and programming by exhibiting artists, selected screenings and guided tours of the exhibition. All events are free and open to the public.
• December 10th – Located along the railroad tracks on South Highland, Farm Stand Marfa features locally grown produce, food to-go and arts and crafts every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This Week in Terlingua:

• December 7th – Jobuk Johnson will entertain the patrons at the Starlight Theater and Restaurant with his smooth jazz sounds. Johnson refers to his unique mix of country and jazz guitar riffs as “Jackalope Jazz.”
• December 10th – The Starlight Theater presents a night of Lights in the Sky. This luminous art party will feature worldly photos, fantastic fire performances and other mixed media by local artists. The event starts at 8 p.m. and the art exhibit will hang thru the end of December.

A Look at Next Week’s Events:

• December 15th – The Annual Chamber of Commerce 3rd Thursday Mixer and Christmas Party
• December 17th – THE Who Said Vaudeville Was Dead? SHOW at the Starlight Theater