A new friend recommended a drive to Fort Leaton State Historic Site in Presidio Texas, and they were right – the site is magnificent. It is a fortified trading post at the US and Mexico Border with thick walls made of adobe bricks and plastered exterior and interior walls. I was amazed as I walked through the first part of the exhibit in the interior living spaces.
If you are driving in West Texas between Alpine and Marfa, chances are that you will find yourself racing one of the Amtrak trains.
I left the McDonald Observatory with a camera full of photos and a nice serene feeling of a day well spent. I highly recommend that you visit this place if you find yourself in this beautiful area of Texas. It made me think about maybe having selected the career of Astronomer when I first started my studies in college. These guys and gals certainly have a gorgeous campus to work from.
I was looking for the perfect spot to capture this magnificent sunset. I think this random field worked out quite well. 🙂
More lovely views from McDonald Observatory as the sun begins to head behind the nearby peaks.
This Telescope lays claim to be the third largest in the world. The reflecting surface is composed of 91 hexagonal mirror segments, it has a total reflective surface of 11 meters in diameter, and it weighs 13 tons. It is most impressive to see up close and in person.
The summit of Mount Locke sits at an elevation of 6,791 feet. This spot was chosen for a few reasons – it was donated by a local rancher, the weather is nice year round, this area of the state has dark skies, and the elevation. The views from the base of the telescope are outstanding.
This Telescope is one of the first you will see on the scenic drive up Highway 118. Completed in 1968 with the help of NASA for a cost of $5 million, it was then the third largest in the world. One of the interesting projects it was involved in was using a laser to measure the distance to the moon by reflecting light off of mirrors left on the moon by Apollo Astronauts. The tour takes you up the mountain and provides a walk through of the telescope, and a display of its history and powers.
Prepare yourself for tons of photos from McDonald Observatory. It all begins at the Visitor Center just off of Highway 118 and north of a beautiful drive through Davis Mountains State Park. If nothing else, this is a wonderful pit stop with awesome views and even a nice cafe to grab a bite to eat and a refreshing beverage. From here you can get all the information you need and sign up for a tour of the facilities.
Another Art Installation from Donald Judd. Take a walk along the border of the property at The Chinati Foundation to admire these concrete shapes and the surrounding scenery. If you look closely in the next to the last photo, you can see the Marfa Water Tower and the dome of the Presidio County Courthouse. 🙂
earthrobert 