Daylight Savings Time goes into effect on March 13, 2011 (sunrise 7:10am/sunset 7:40pm)
Thursday March 18
Total miles to be driven today: 340 Miles Mile Marker
7:30 – Breakfast @ Flying J 277
8:30 – Leave
10:00 – Break @ Big Spring 100 Miles 177
- Speed Limit goes to 80 89
12:15 – Lunch @ Pecos Flying J 135 Miles 42
1:30 - Leave for Balmorhea - Hwy 17
2:15 – Break @ Balmorhea 45 Miles
State Park, Pool
3:00 – Leave for Fort Davis
4:00 – Arrive Fort Davis, Indian Lodge 60 Miles
Things to do in Fort Davis
Clean Cars, Swim, Walking Tour, Shop
Visit Fort, Chocolate Store
Scenic Loop map (71 miles) Hwys 118 and 166
McDonald Observatory (15 miles) Hwy 118
Visitors Center Open from 10:00am to 5:30pm (additional hours on Star Party nights)
Special Hours for Spring Break (March 13-20, 2010)
Guided Tours (Day Pass): 10:30, 11:15, 12:00, 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, 3:00, 3:45, 4:30 ($8)
Self-guided Tours of Hobby-Eberly telescope: 10:00 - 5:00 (free)
Solar Viewings (Day Pass): 11:00, 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00 ($8)
Star Party: Friday and Saturday nights at 9pm ($10)
Combo Pass includes Guided Tour (Day Pass) and Star Party ($15)
Twilight Program: Friday/Saturday nights at 6:15, 6:55, 7:35 ($5)
Plan your visit
Viewing schedule
Public Programs
7:00 – Dinner @ Limpia Hotel – The bar has been reserved for BCC.
Note: It will be necessary to email your menu selection to Dale/Dudley.
The menu is available online....all the choices are GREAT !!!
Dale's recommendation: skip the main course...make a meal of the biscuits !!!
Friday March 19
Total miles to be driven today: 265 Miles
Check Out Of Indian Lodge
8:00 – Breakfast @ Black Bear Restaurant at the Indian Lodge (opens at 7am)
9:00 - Leave for Marfa 25 Miles Hwy 17
GIANT was filmed in Marfa in 1956
Chinati Art Foundation
9:30 - Marfa - break at Hotel Paisano
10:00 - Leave for Presidio (oldest town in US) 60 Miles Hwy 67
10:30 - River Road to Lajitas 50 Miles FM 170
- stop at Rio Bravo movie site
11:00 - stop at Lajitas Resort if desired
12:00 - Lunch @ Starlight Theatre in Terlinqua
- Fajita buffet - $17/person includes food, drink and tip.
- Local musician will provide entertainment
2:00 - Terlinqua - La Kiva Cave Restaurant/Bar
2:30 - Leave For Alpine Hwy 118
Note: We looked at spending the night at the Chisos Mtn Lodge in the Big Bend.
It was already sold out in Oct 09.
3:45 - Arrive Alpine, Maverick Inn 95 Miles
Shop, Relax, Swim
4:45 - Dinner @ Longhorn Restaurant
- Will provide a special menu for us
7:00 - Marfa Lights Observation Area East of Alpine
- Bring your lawn chairs and wait for the lights (BYOB)
Other dinner choices:
Gage Hotel in Marathon $$$
Famous Burro in Marathon $$
Hotel Paisano in Marfa $$$
Alpine City Limits $$
Reata Restaurants in Alpine $$$ 20% discount per Maverick
Evening Tours/Options:
WINERY CLOSED !!
- Lux de Estrella Winery 22 Miles (West of Alpine)
Optional: McDonald Observatory Star Viewing 40 Miles (Ft Davis, Northwest of Alpine)
Optional: Gage Hotel 23 Miles (Marathon, East of Alpine) Eat and tour this upscale hotel
Reservations required a day in advance
Saturday March 20
Total miles to be driven today: 400+
7:00 – Breakfast - Magoos Place - Alpine
8:00 - Leave for Big Bend Park 90 Miles Hwy 118
(Entry to the Park has gone up to $20 per vehicle. Those over 62 can get a pass for $10.)
(Park speed limit 40mph - radar enforced) 200 Miles
Big Bend National Park Map
12:00 – Lunch @ Chisos Mountain Lodge
3:00 – Depart Park for Marathon 70 Miles Hwy 385
4:00 - Eat at the Famous Burro
5:30 – Depart Marathon for Alpine 30 Miles Hwy 90
6:00 – Arrive Alpine
7:00 - Depart for McDonald Observatory 40 Miles (Ft Davis, Northwest of Alpine)
Sunday March 21
Total miles to be driven today: 334 Miles
8:00 - Breakfast at Maverick Inn by Rebecca.
9:00 - Depart Alpine for Ft. Stockton, Big Lake, Hwy 67
then Sterling City. 231 Miles Hwy 163
12:00 - Lunch @ Sterling City
1:00 - Leave for Bronte, Hwy 158
Abilene 103 Miles Hwy 277
Contacts:
· Indian Lodge – Stephanie Rubio
512-389-8982 (reservations)
432-426-3254 x – 338
432-426-2022 Fax
stephanie.rubio@tpwd.state.tx.us
· Maverick Inn – Rebecca
432-837-0628
432-837-0825 Fax
· Limpia Restaurant - Cara
432-426-3241
· Gage Hotel – Carol Peterson
432-386-4205