New Year's in the Big Bend Country

Decorated agave or century plant in Marfa, Texas

When David and I were newlyweds living in Odessa, we used to spend a week or more after Christmas in the Big Bend Country.  Then as now the weather was unpredictable.  Some years were so warm we got sunburned and a few years I remember getting snow.  But every time was filled with the beauty of the high desert and ‘sky islands’ in winter.  There are not too many things as wonderful as winter light on stark mountains – such a contrast to the Appalachian Mountains’ lush summer greens and autumn reds and golds.

View from the CCC Trail in Davis Mountain State Park
 

Mountains of the Big Bend

The Davis Mountain State Park had been closed for repairs but re-opened earlier than planned so we were able to make it our ‘base camp’ for a week of adventure and meeting up with friends.  When we arrived at the park we recognized a shiny Airstream trailer and bicycles that had to be Dustin and Melissa’s.  We set up camp across from them and in no time Melissa and her Australian Sheppard, Rocky, came over to see us.  Maya was excited to see Rocky again and the feeling was mutual.  The dogs greeted each other and were ready to play.

'Making friends...'

What followed were several days of hiking, talking, good eats and lots of dog romping.  The weather was really cold at nights – 18 degrees for two of them!  But the days were sunny and we had to shed coats as we climbed the mountains on our hikes.

 

Mountain hiking

 

Dustin, Melissa, Rocky, David and Maya

 

One night we went to the McDonald Observatory for a ‘Star Party.’  The skies were so clear and the stars so bright that it was worth the getting cold. Looking through the telescopes at Jupiter and the Orion and Crab nebulae was pretty cool too.  It was a fabulous night and we thanked the stars for the hot chocolate (or the observatory snack bar anyway).  

Hanging out on the porch, Limpia Hotel in Ft. Davis

Dustin and Melissa were joining other friends in Big Bend National Park and left us before New Year’s.  But we had plans to see a long-time friend who teaches at Texas A&M Commerce.  Chad was one of our best camping buddies from our newlywed days.  We all used to camp together in the Big Bend and like us, he still loves the area. 

 

Tower built by the CCC in Davis Mountain State Park

 

Burned cactus from a recent 'prescribed' burn

 

Burned yucca heart

 

Chad arrived on New Year’s Eve and we had our own little ‘party’ in our warm RV with chocolates and some great coffee from Big Bend Coffee Roasters.  Even with all that caffeine we didn’t stay up until mid-night!  In the ‘old days’ we would party on New Year’s Eve in the Big Bend hot springs (clothing optional).  I guess we really are getting old.  Still, it was a fine way to celebrate.

New Year's Day hike with Chad

The next day we all went into Marfa and had a New Year’s Day lunch at Future Shark.  For years there has been a ‘food truck’ called Food Shark in Marfa that served excellent food.  Now they have a non-mobile location in a storefront in downtown Marfa.  We had chicken mole, green chili potatoes Au-gratin, rice, beans and black-eyed peas were available for those so inclined. 

 

 

Downtown Marfa

  

 

Marfa is such an interesting mixture of a conservative small town ranching community and Donald Judd’s Chianti Institute and artist community.  Throw in the illusive ‘Marfa Lights’ and a little ‘local color’ and it makes for an intriguing place to visit.   We enjoyed roaming around Marfa checking out the art, the stores and enjoying the unique ambiance. 

 

Broken windmill

  

Bare cottonwood tree

The rest of our time was spent taking more hikes, hanging out with Chad and making one more trip to Marfa to eat at the Pizza Foundation, another great food choice.  David and I hardly cooked on this excursion.  Even with all the hiking, I’m pretty sure some weight was gained.  Oh well, one of our New Year’s resolutions was to eat more local food.  We’ve made a good start.

One of my favorite grasses, 'eyelash' grass or Bouteloua gracilis

 

David’s Stats:

Days Hiked     7

Total Miles Hiked   31.67

Ave. Miles per Day     4.52
Total Elevation Gain       5,263
Ave. Elevation Gain per day   752

 

 

 

 

 

All I want for Christmas...

Maya having her Christmas cookie

We arrived in Odessa in time to do a little Christmas baking, last minute shopping and for me to come down with hives.  Yikes!  It’s official.  I am allergic to Christmas.  My face, hands and lower legs were about the only thing spared, the rest of me looked like a strawberry.  And let’s not talk about how bad it itched.  But Santa sent a cure and by Christmas Eve I was all better.  What a relief!  That was my Christmas present.

I wasn’t the only person with ailments.  Both my parents were sick with colds and feeling terrible the day we got to Odessa.  With some rest and a little chicken soup they too recovered before Christmas.  And none of the rest of us caught their colds.

 

A wonderful Christmas Dinner!

 

My brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Linda, had all the Christmas festivities at their house this year which was such a fantastic thing.  David and I helped some with the cooking, but they did all the hard stuff.  Linda’s aunt, Ramona, was a huge help in the kitchen.  The food was amazing – turkey, two kinds of dressing, two kinds of green beans, asparagus, sweet potatoes, cranberry-orange salad, homemade bread, and three homemade desserts - pecan pie, buttermilk chess pie and German chocolate cake.  Needless to say we were all stuffed.

The aftermath...

 

The next day we took down the lights, the tree and all the Christmas decorations at my mom and dad’s house and finished most of the leftovers.  Then with my parents all well and tucked in under their new heated throws that David and I gave them for Christmas, we took off for the Big Bend Country to ring in the New Year.