The Davis Mountains State Park is a pretty park located just outside Fort Davis, Texas. There are some scenic hikes to take and camping spots if you wish to camp. There is a hotel in the park called Indian Lodge that has 39 rooms, a restaurant, and a swimming pool. As you can see, it has some nice views of the valley in the park.
Stand in the middle of the desert and take as many sunset photos as you can. 🙂 The colors are changing by the moment.
A great spot for a picnic! It is located near the Rio Grande River and you can locate it on this map from the Texas Parks & Wildlife. Just don’t cross the border between Texas and Mexico.
Some stunning views along Farm to Market Road 170 are found just over the next hilltop.
This hike through a slot canyon was a great experience. It was wonderful to feel enclosed with high canyon walls on either side. At times, I had to scramble down rock formations to continue onward. There was only the sound of the crunching of sand and gravel beneath my hiking boots. The sun was getting close to setting, the temperature was cooler in the shadows, and around each new corner was a surprise. Every few steps was a grand photo opportunity. 🙂
Closed Canyon is a slot canyon located in the Big Bend Ranch State Park. The trailhead is just off of Farm to Market Road 170, and the hike is about 1.4 miles long round trip. It is a beautiful place. According to the brochure, “Mountain lion, javelina, rock squirrels and a variety of lizard and snake species including the greater earless lizard, desert spiny lizards and the western diamondback rattlesnake may be seen in or near the canyon.” Lucky for me, I had the Canyon all to myself.
If you want a beautiful drive in Texas, you should try the Farm to Market Road 170. It is now one of my absolute favorites! There are wonderful views of the Rio Grande River, the Border of Texas and Mexico, the mountains of Big Bend Ranch State Park, the desert, and incredible sunsets. For the majority of my drive, I had this road all to myself, which is both scary and awesome. I kept wondering what would happen if my car broke down, then I would turn a corner or rise over a hill and be mesmerized by some new scenery that would help me forget my concerns. Trust me, it is one drive you should enjoy if you find yourself in this part of Texas. 🙂
The warm, sunny skies at Fort Leaton were wonderful. It was a little chilly in the desert of Presidio, but the sunshine and wispy clouds made it most pleasant.
The courtyard, corral, and blacksmith shop at Fort Leaton State Historic Site were all full of history. The one item you find most people remarking about is the carreta, or ox cart. It has two six foot high wheels and when fully loaded, it would require several oxen to pull it. They were typically used to haul freight from San Antonio to cities in Mexico. Marvelous!
This historic place provides a great opportunity to observe the doors, windows, and the associated light patterns. 🙂
earthrobert 