We headed for the Big Bend area after a series of thunderstorms in San Angelo on Thursday the 28th hoping to avoid rain. All went well until we were 30 miles outside Alpine when the rain started and the temperatures dropped to the low 40s. We were thankful the hotel had a nice warm hot tub.
We awoke on Friday morning to a light covering of snow and ice covered roads, but by 10:00 the ice had melted. On previous trips to Alpine we had missed the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University so that was our first stop.
Jerri’s has a unique family connection to the Big Bend area of Texas. Her great-great uncle is known as the father of the Big Bend National Park, her grandfather ranched in the Big Bend from 1917 until 1941 when the ranch became part of the park, and her father grew up in area.
By late morning it was a sunny Texas day as we headed south for the Big Bend National Park. We spent Friday afternoon riding to and from the Santa Elena Canyon area including a nice hike along the Rio Grande River into the canyon. After a few tries Jerri also managed to throw a rock across the river into Mexico.
On Saturday morning we headed for the park office and a ride through green gulch to the high elevation basin in the Chisos Mountains where her grandfather’s ranch was located. We also took a picture of the century plant that her grandfather had a habit of burning because he heard it was poison to cattle.
As we left the Big Bend National Park Jerri noticed a Javelina, a pig like animal that is actually a peccary, crossing the road. We turned the bike around to discover a large group traveling in the low brush. We were lucky because you normally only see them early morning and in the evening.
Our next stop was Fort Davis, where Jerri’s grandparents, owned the “Mile High Motor Court” from 1946 until 1961. It’s now a Humane Society Thrift Store, but looks much like it did originally. We headed to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory and rode the highest paved road in Texas at 6,778 feet. The “Wildlife” loop around the snow covered Davis Mountains was a nice 80 mile ride although the only wildlife was saw were some “Loose” cattle. As we headed back to Alpine for the night I wish Jerri had a lasso because there were plenty of deer along the road.
On Sunday morning we headed for the ghost town of Hovey where Jerri’s father was born. All that remains are a few buildings. The one room Hovey school her father attended was moved to Fort Stockton. We stopped for lunch in Fort Stockton and saw the Hovey school. Of course, we took a picture of the largest Roadrunner.
The temperature was in the low 40s by the time we arrived in San Angelo so a nice hot cup of tea hit the spot.
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