Gage Hotel Marathon

We went to Fort Davis, established in 1854. It is one of the nations best preseved frontier forts. We stopped at a snake place to see snakes. Mamaw did not come in. We went shopping. After that, we went to Marfia again and we saw more lights this time. The nights are darker here so I can see a lot more stars then back in Zanesville. I even saw the Milky Way!

... and craggy, forming unique formations. This combination of habitat allows large animals like Black Bear, Mountain Lion, White Tail Deer, and Javelina to exist here. The camp ground here actually has a nice lodge, restaurant, and store so travelers can visit without camping. I spent two days here and met some great people. On one side was Gary from Chicago, ridding a BMW Adventure Bike. He was a real talker and regaled ...

2009 02 12 As we were watching the weather on CCN, they advised "For those of you in Las Cruces, NM, the cold front will be going through your area in 5 minutes." It DID! The temperature dropped and the wind started just as we were departing. Thankfully it was a 60 mph tailwind that propelled us towards our next destination - Alpine, TX. Traveling with the cruise control set at 65mph, there were times that tumbleweeds were passing us. And the dust - WOW! - restricted ...

... obviously been aptly named. It is also described as "the gateway to Big Bend", which is much more of a stretch, since the National Park is still over 100 miles away. We spent the night in the fabulous Holland Hotel, right in the middle of town. It is fabulous for several reasons. Firstly, because of its name, of course. Secondly, because it is a very friendly and trusting place. The reception was already closed when we arrived but we were told by a patron of the ...

... Texas before making it to Marathon, Texas the next day. According to the tour books, Marathon is the last chance for gas before continuing down to Big Bend Nat. Park. Marathon looks more like a ghost town than a last chance for anything but the campground was very nice. They had a beautiful outdoor stone patio area with a water fountain, and chairs. There was also a covered area of the patio with rocking chairs and a huge ...

... Isaacks. As we entered, I counted nine deer heads, two mountain goats, and a javelina mounted on the walls. Nice. The restaurant was hoppin', and we were clearly the only out-of-towners in the joint. Every single person in the place from babies to grandma was dressed in camo. Most of the women were wearing high-fashion camo, but the men and children had clearly come straight from the field and were decked out head to toe. For dinner ...

... being lost numerous times (normally just overnight) including in Vanuatu. She has come through scarred but still alive after catching fire on the wood heater. Shaken but not broken after being attacked by wild dogs, aka Muntu and Pedro, but always recovering to smell like roses after a dip in the washing tub to be held close and essentially help Emily off to sleep every night. So we had to ...

... Antonio - the closest 'civilization'. One's reward for driving to such a remote destination? Incredible hikes & views in this park combining the Rio Grande River set amidst mid-sized mountains overlooking Mexico. These pictures from the Windows (about 5 miles with 2000 ...

OK this place makes the last place look like Vegas. I am sitting in back of a grocery mart on a milk carton, plugged into an outlet that I share with the ice machine as the cats walk by looking at me with a puzzled stare. Now this is NOWHERE! But we're doing great and having lots of fun. We actually took a short excursion yesterday and went to Big Bend National Park, absolutely ...