West Texas Road Food: Ft. Stockton

 

I-10 Scenery Near Ft. Stockton

The road from Austin to Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend National Parks is long and desolate in many places (such as in the photo above).  On the trip to the Guadalupe Mountains last week, one of my friends suggested stopping at Burrito Express in Ft. Stockton.  This turned out to be a fantastic suggestion and we'll be stopping at Burrito Express next time we're in the area.   The only downside to this place is that it closes at 3p and is closed on Sunday.

For dinner:  I haven't been to Dragon Buffet in Ft. Stockton, but a friend who has eaten at Chinese buffets all over the world recently gave it his stamp of approval.  If he likes it, then it's good.  

[Note: I haven't forgotten... I do have posts on the Grand Canyon and the Guadalupe Mountains in the pipeline.]

Hiking: Guadalupe Mountains National Park

On the Tejas Trail in the Guadalupe Mountains

Have you wondered where the highest point in Texas is located?  It's Guadalupe Peak, way out in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas.  You can see the backside of it in the above photo which I took while hiking in Guadalupe Mountains National Park (GUMO).  The park is located about 50 miles north of Van Horn (which is about 120 miles from El Paso on I-10) and is relatively close to Carlsbad (home of the eponymous caverns).  Why am I posting about this?  I'm going in  2022 (relatively early, before it's too hot).

I've hiked in the park twice.  The first time was to the top of Guadalupe Peak.  The second time, I did the Bowl Loop (short version) which included going to the top of Hunter Peak and this (pictured above) sunset hike down the Tejas Trail.  On the second trip I also hiked Devil's Hall and visited the sand dunes (on the other side of the park, near Dell City).  Not only do I recommend visiting GUMO, but I also recommend any of the above excursions.  

Here are a few thoughts, compressed into bullet points instead of flowing prose:

• You must now reserve a campsite in the Pine Springs campground.  The freewheeling days of first-come-first-serve are over.  
• See my previous post on hiking up Guadalupe Peak.   Obviously, the above bullet point supersedes the previous point on Pine Springs.  Also, if you camp on the peak trail (backpacking style) you must now pack out your own solid waste (like you might do for your dog at the dog park).
• I highly recommend taking hiking poles.  There are plenty of areas with loose rocks and an incline.  My poles kept me from doing a face-plant while walking down the Tejas Trail.
• Pack plenty of water.   On the trails I have hiked, there is none.   Also, it's the desert and you will lose more water than you think.  
• Another thing about the trails: the Guadalupe Peak trail is well-trafficked.   Not so much for the other trails I've been on.  When I hiked up to the Bowl, I ran into one person over the course of several hours.  Cell coverage is almost non-existent, so if you go alone then let someone know where you're going.  
• Visit the Salt Basin Dunes at sunset.  The sight of the twilight on the sides of the cliff walls below the peak is fantastic.  

These are my preliminary thoughts as I'm planning for the upcoming trip.  I'll post an update about the trip (should it reveal itself to be a post-worthy experience).  

Looking East, From Top of Hunter Peak

Backside of Guadalupe Peak, Seen From Tejas Trail

Travel: El Hotel Paisano in Marfa

[photo (by WDFloyd): courtyard at El Hotel Paisano. Videos (by WDFloyd): Room 205, and the hotel lobby]

by WDFloyd

If you are heading to Marfa, Texas, then you should reserve a room at El Hotel Paisano. Walking into this historic hotel feels like stepping back into a past era out of West Texas lore. Maybe it was the courtyard, the tiled lobby, or the animal heads mounted by the door which added to this vibe. I'm not sure; I just know it was cool. Furthermore, the hotel has a connection to American cinematic history. James Dean, Rock Hudson, and Elizabeth Taylor stayed here during the filming of Giant.

We found that much of Marfa was within easy walking distance of the hotel. This included plenty of shops, galleries, and restaurants. And, more importantly, Padre's Marfa bar was an easy walk from the hotel.

Rooms available at the hotel range from small (w/ a queen size bed) up to several spacious suites. My friend Dustin stayed in Room 205 (see video above), a large suite with a kitchen and a private rooftop patio overlooking the pool. What made the patio even more fun was the fact that is accessed via a secretive walkway attached to the wall above the pool. Once you reach the patio, you have the use of both a couch and a breakfast table. While this was a great set up, it appeared that the Rock Hudson suite's patio was even larger and was equipped with an outdoor fireplace.

Prices at El Hotel Paisano are very reasonable. Queen size rooms start at $99/night, while the highest price quoted to me was $220/ night (for the Rock Hudson suite). Room 205 was $169/night.