EP55 & 56 : Exploring West Texas - Big Bend/Marfa/Terlingua Please Subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRV5yTrv-zzVgSOlEk9BOLg?sub_confirmation=1 If you haven't been to West Texas, grab a Shiner and join us on our adventure! This area has a desert charm all of its own. You're really out there. Researching this trip was a little challenging - since the park is so remote. Located at the very border of Texas and Mexico, divided by the Rio Grande River, Big Bend National Park is a land all of its own. Once called the "uninhabitable" land it previously belonged to Mexico, the landscape is big, bold and beautiful - but harsh as a desert can be. This summer many areas are closed in the park, so we will definitely have to come back. Even with things closed, there is still a lot to see. Our day in Big Bend was so long that we split this video into two parts. We stayed in the town of Alpine and drove in over 60 miles to the north entrance. Driving into the area we explored the artsy town of Marfa, Texas. Marfa has a really cool artsy vibe, we stopped at the Al Campo Wine Bar and enjoyed cold beers and chips and pico. They have cool AirBnBs and unusual stays that include tee-pees, rv campers, glowing orbs and even a VW Bug. In livelier times I imagine this town is very vibrant. Marfa is also known for mysterious lights that show up at night that are unexplained. We had to check that out. They have an observatory that we headed back to after the park to see just what the fuss was about. Aliens? No one knows! I am still thinking it could be some lady that just likes to dance with a lantern at night. (just kidding you guys) Being out in the desert, you just run into some weird things. Two more on this trip were remote art installations - one outside of Marfa, the Prada Marfa - and the other the Marathon Target. Are they a statement on consumerism? An art installation? Apparently in the Prada they only have right shoes and no lefts. It's up to you to decide- all I know is that they have become an iconic part of pop culture as you drive to the ends of the earth. If Beyonce has been there, we figured it was definitely worth a stop. Inside Big Bend National Park, the land changes and is unworldly. We saw the Rio Grande River, waved at Mexico and saw the most beautiful sunset I can remember seeing. The Santa Elena Canyon, planned hikes, hot springs, river boat ride to Mexico for margaritas will all have to wait. If you drive to the far West of the park you exit and we recommend a stop into the tiny town of Terlingua. They're certainly keeping it weird over there - it's so remote there are a handful of establishments to stay and/or get food and drinks. When we were there the only establishment open during the day was the High Sierra Bar and Grill. We made friends with the bartender Calhoon and heard some stories about the locals. Wandering towards the ends of the States as we know it in Terlingua we explore the ruins of the ghost town and cemetery. Staying in the park until dark you get stopped by border control and you're honestly the only ones out there. For the three cars we saw all day, at the very end of the day we were so shocked to run into one of the cars at the Rio Grande River, of all people in the world to be in this one place at this one time, they were also from St. Petersburg, FL. Even had a hat from Green Bench Brewing and the guys took a picture together wearing their matching hats. What a small world. After a full day at the park, followed by looking for Marfa lights, we took our tired selves back to Penny's 24/7 diner for their Pick 3 breakfast. Eating the same meal twice in one day. West Texas we'll be back! Big Bend National Park https://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm Fossil Exhibit https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/fossil-discovery-exhibit.htm Desert Grave https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMV058_A_Desert_Grave_Big_Bend_NP_TX Boquillas Crossing https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60733-d12017235-Reviews-Boquillas_Crossing_Port_of_Entry-Big_Bend_National_Park_Texas.html Marfa https://www.visitmarfa.com/plan-your-trip/ Al Campo Wine Bar https://www.alcampomarfa.com/ Marfa Prada https://www.vogue.com/article/prada-marfa-visit-texas-elmgreen-dragset-art-vandalism Marfa Lights https://www.visitmarfa.com/marfa-lights/ Marathon Target https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/target-marathon Terlingua Ghost Town https://visitbigbend.com/terlingua/ High Sierra Bar & Grill - Terlingua, TX https://visitbigbend.com/vendors/high-sierra-bar-grill/ Penny's Diner - Apline, TX Pick 3 Breakfast is where it's at! https://visitalpinetx.com/places/pennys-diner/

• published: 21 Sep 2020
• views: 7129