There has been a subcommittee looking into the possibility of the HLMN going on a field trip to the Davis Mountains.
On Wednesday September 22nd or Wednesday October 20th there is a chance for us (HLMN) to tour the McDonald Observatory located in the Davis Mountains and observe their 107" telescope.
You should also know that regular star parties are held without reservations on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday evenings. There are also day time and twilight tours on other days. (Go to http://mcdonaldobservatory.org for more information.)
The Davis Mountains are obviously a long ways from here, so overnight accommodations would be required. Maybe 2 or 3 nights since while out in that area there are other things that we can arrange to do including hiking and birding in Davis Mountain State Park and/or going to Big Bend State or National Park.
I NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GOING AS A GROUP ON EITHER SEPTEMBER 22ND OR OCTOBER 20TH TO THE McDONALD OBSERVATORY. DEPENDING ON THE RESPONSE, THE HLMN DAY AND LONG TRIP COMMITTEE WILL LOOK AT COMMITING US TO GO THERE AND CONSIDER FURTHER OPTIONS (E.G., GOING HIKING AND BIRDING IN THE DAVIS MT. ST. PARK AND/OR GOING TO ONE OF THE BIG BEND PARKS).
ALTHOUGH SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER SEEM A LONG TIME AWAY, WE NEED TO MAKE RESERVATIONS (AT THE OBSERVATORY AND HOTELS SOON), AND TO DO THIS WE NEED TO HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT DATE TO GO AND HOW MANY ARE INTERESTED. It may turn out that most of you are not interested in doing any of this as a group, or you may want to try and make your own reservations when and where you want. BUT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE RESPOND TO ME BY THE TIME OF OUR NEXT HLMN MONTHLY MEETING. I NEED TO KNOW:
- IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SUCH A TRIP;
- YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ONLY THE OBSERVATORY;
- IN THE OBSERVATORY AND DAVIS MT. STATE PARK; AND
- IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THE TRIP AND ALSO GO TO ONE OF THE BIG BEND PARKS.
The Scenic Loop Drive
Fort Davis is the starting point for one of the most scenic and uncrowned drives in Texas and America. Seventy-five miles long, the drive leaves Fort Davis on Texas 118, proceeds up Limpia Canyon past Mts. Locke and Fowlkes and the McDonald Observatory and then into Madera Canyon and a quiet, pine shaded picnic area.
After a left turn on Texas 166, the road passes Mt. Livermore and Sawtooth Mountain, then gradually descends past a prominent ridge lined with wind generators toward the southeast side of the mountains, with broad views to the Sierra Viejo Mountains along the Rio Grande to the south. As you approach Fort Davis again on Texas 166, the Puertacita Mountains and Miter Peak are straight ahead.
Highest elevation on the Loop is about 6700 feet, making it the highest public highway in Texas. About 1.5 hours to drive
The following information about accommodations may help you make a decision. This is for the Davis Mountain portion of the trip only. If there is interest and depending on your comments, we will look into accommodations near, or in the Big Bend State Parks. (We could go to Big Bend before or after being in the Davis Mountains.)
Going back to the Davis Mountains.
The Prude Ranch is the most rustic of the ones checked. The Gage Hotel is the most expensive. Accommodations in Marfa and Alpine have not been looked at. They are further from the Observatory and Davis Mt. St. Park.
All room rates presented below are per night and do not include tax. Tax rate is 13%.
1. Prude Ranch at Ft. Davis. About 25 minutes to Observatory and 2 hours to Big Bend National Park. Can get info at http://www.prude-ranch.com
- Cabins that accommodate 2 - $92.50. Also have a bunkhouse, but not recommended by our scout.
- Walnut Room. Accommodate 8. $160 for the first 4 people, then $20 for each additional person up to 8. Has microwave and coffee pot. Fireplace in living room and 1 full bath plus ½ bath.
- Suite 7. Similar to the Walnut Room. $190 for the first 4 people, then $20 for each additional person. Has a full kitchen.
- The restaurant is open when at least 20 people are staying at the ranch. Buffet style meals. $8.55 for breakfast, $14.32 for lunch and $16.63 for dinner. All you can eat and includes drinks and dessert.
- Fall availability is good. For a group, they can give a package deal that includes room, meals, horseback riding, etc.
2. Gage Hotel in Marathon. 70 miles to Panther Junction in Big Bend and is 53 miles east of Ft. Davis. It is recommended to book 2 to 3 months ahead and there are no group rates. Can contact using http://www.gagehotel.com.
- In the older part of the hotel: $90 for double room with shared bath down the hall. [not very comfortable: Morelock] In newer part of hotel $198 for a double, $220 for a king. Rooms in newer portion of hotel have fireplace.
- Restaurant in the hotel, order from the menu.
3. Limpia Hotel, Main Street in Ft. Davis. Contact: http://hotellimpia.com.
- In the main hotel: 1 queen $99, 2 queen beds $115.
- In the hotel annex: 1 queen $89 or $95, 2 queen beds $99.
- Also have a few suites, 1 or 2 bedrooms, $105 to $189.
- Restaurant in hotel serves dinner only. Order from menu.
4. Indian Lodge in Davis Mountain State Park near town of Ft. Davis and on the road to Prude Ranch. Contact: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/indian_lodge
- Standard rooms 2 double beds $90.
- In historic part of lodge rooms are $95 to $135 d
- Camping available (including RV). $15 for water/electric and $20 for water/electric/cable
- Lodge has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from menu.
5. Stone Village near the courthouse in Ft. Davis. Contact: http://stonevillagetouristcamp.com/
- Total of 14 rooms. 1 queen $69, 2 queen beds $89. Has 3 suites $89 to $99 depending on size. Each suite accommodates 4 people.
- They do not have restaurant, but have a Market that sells coffee, breakfast items, deli sandwiches. Can go to Limpia Hotel for dinner.
- Can accommodate a group at certain times of the year, for example May or Novembers. Would definitely give a group rate.
Sproul Ranch
Visit the oldest family owned and operated ranch in Jeff Davis County. Located 7 miles from Fort Davis at 1900 Sproul Rd., this historic working cattle ranch also offers upscale guest accommodations, meeting facilities, custom pool, jeep tours, trap and skeet and hunting, all surrounded by spectacular scenery. Visit www.sproulranch.com or call 432-426-2500 for more information.