January 26th-29th
Marfa to The Guadalupe Mountains National Park
West Texas
Back to our time in Texas, sorry for jumping around. After leaving the Eco Ranch we had to head out and run some errands.
On our way out we passed a border control station. This one was closed but they have these all over, 50 miles from our border with Mexico. We grew up in Wisconsin so the idea that you get stopped and searched by armed Federal workers completely blew our minds. These checkpoints are supposed to be immigration checkpoints and to keep people with specific work visas from leaving the 50-mile zone within the border, but they run drug dogs around your car and ask you a bunch of questions. It’s not like this on the Canadian border and from what we’ve learned we definitely got treated differently than others.
Closed border patrol station.
Off we went to Alpine, Texas to do some grocery shopping and prepare for more camping.
We had never seen flamin’ hot puffs before so of course, we (Camrin) had to purchase them for road snacks.
Thank you for this small gift, Texas.
There is nothing more exciting than laundry day… Okay, there are tons of more exciting things.
After finishing our errands in Alpine we pointed the jeep towards Marfa, Texas. Our friend Brandy in Austin said that it was a cool art town, and we found some free camping at the Marfa Lights viewing station.
At the Marfa Lights Viewing Station making dinner while the sun goes down.
Goofing off while we wait for the sun to set.
Yucca seed pods lit by the setting sun.
Not a terrible roadside stop, and we had a Westie-driving friend to talk to.
Well… This is the best we could do. They mostly look like car lights. The round red light in the middle (and it’s reflection off of something) is supposed to orient you to where they show up. The lights above it are the Marfa lights but I think we just captured cars.
Marfa only has about 2,000 people but it is home to lots of modern art like this Prada installation in the middle of nowhere on I-90. There is nothing but desert around it!
Now to head off to the Guadalupe mountains. We didn’t know there was a National park in this corner of Texas until Laura spotted it in the Atlas as we were mapping our route up to Carlsbad Caverns.
Here’s El Capitan from Highway 62. Not the tallest peak in the park but one of the most impressive. A great introduction into the mountains as you drive up to the park.
Us with the sign of this beautiful and relatively unknown park.
And look who we spotted in the parking lot! I’d recognize that New York 4runner and dirtbike combo anywhere! It’s our friend Jeff that we met in the Grand Tetons!
This wasn’t completely random, Jeff happened to be in the area to hike up Guadalupe Peak, the tallest mountain in Texas.
With an elevation of 8,751 feet, Guadalupe Peak is a tall climb!
With some smiles and hugs for our friend who had just bagged another peak by completing the 7.5 miles and nearly 3,000 ft elevation gain of the Texas Highpoint Trail, Jeff joined us for a little cooldown stroll on the Pinery trail. Then it was off to our campsite.
Parks Ranch BLM campground. No bathrooms but it’s free!
Camrin and Jeff read the warning signs around the gypsum caves in the campgrounds. Yep, caves near our campsite that are free to explore, but at your own risk.
Well, that sounds scary.
But not scary enough to keep us out.
The gypsum was so white that it felt like we were walking through a cave of snow only much warmer.
Us walking through the cave talking about the lava tube we hiked in Bend, OR.
Oh, look, gypsum!
We gathered some firewood and had ourselves a Grand Teton Adventure Club mini-reunion.
Staking out our space we made chicken tacos together for dinner. Then the next day our adventures took us in different directions. It was awesome to meet up with Jeff again after so many months. You should check his Instagram out to see where his adventures take him!
Of course, it isn’t BLM camping without some curious cows. We couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t stop mooing all night then we noticed a bunch of brand new baby calves who had just been born the next day.
Calf party! These ones are a few days old. We gave the newborns more space.
Sunrise in the desert. Time to explore Guadalupe National Park!
Look at the amazing colors of this cane cholla cactus!
The numerous springs in this area made it much easier for homesteaders to live here.
Laura in the desert.
The Guadalupe Mountains.
This is the Frijole Ranch Cultural Center and Museum.
Camrin takes in the history.
Posing with a mountain.
Smith Spring keeps the birds happy. You don’t often hear many birds singing in the desert, but this tiny oasis was a great stop to listen to them.
A prickly pear cactus that turned reddish purple from the cold.
Manzanita Spring.
Peaky!
Back home for the night. Up next, Carlsbad Caverns!
