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News Release - March 2008
A Taste of Big Bend Texas Travelcade
Opens for Registration April 21, 2008 (link to registration form)
One important thing you need to know, if you are bothered by height, we will be in heights of 5000' to 7000' feet both in Big Bend Park Basin and all of Fort Davis. As much as we would like to have you, if you have a height medical problem this is not the travelcade for you.
We will stay at the Rendezvous site in San Antonio, TX for two nights. On the October 13th we will drive to Castroville where Henri Castro brought a group of settlers from Alsaise in 1844. The French-German architecture is still very evident. The Steinbach House was built in the 1600's in Wahlbach and was shipped to Castroville in 1999. The complete restoration was completed in 2002. This 2 ½ story house has authentic Alsatian furniture. That is one of the things we will tour. Another is the first church built by the settlers as the first community project. There are also other sites we will tour after we have had a taco breakfast at the R V Park, but you may want to stop at the bakery for a treat.
On the October 14th we will begin our journey. There will be a stop in Uvalde to visit First State Bank. It is almost an art museum. Other groups we have taken there were truly impressed and we are sure you will be also. There is a good place to park our rigs across the street from the bank. Del Rio is our destination that day. While in Del Rio, we will tour Val Verde Winery and Whitehead Museum, where we will have a soup, sandwich and dessert lunch. After lunch we will have a free afternoon. You could go to Mexico if you have the proper identification. As of February, 2008, no passport was required, only a certified birth certificate and a picture ID. Of course, that may change at any time.
On the way to Sanderson there will be a stop at the Pecos River Overlook and Seminole Canyon. This is optional because of the strenuous hike into and out of the canyon. Coming out is really the strenuous part. Then we will stop at Judge Roy Bean Visitors Center in Langtry. There is a good cacti garden there.
We will visit Sanderson to Study (Pronounced Stewdy) Butte. From there we show you the high spots of Big Bend; Santa Elaina Canyon, the Road to Presidio, Boqullias Canyon and the Basin and Lajitas.
Our last stop will be Prude Ranch just out of Fort Davis. The evening we arrive there will be a wagon ride to a Chuck Wagon dinner. Old Fort Davis is a worthwhile tour. Buffalo Soldiers manned the fort. There is a movie, and then you can stroll the grounds to some of the restored buildings. There are loud speaker sounds throughout the day that make them seem almost real.
Mc Donald Observatory will take most of one day. We will tour the 3rd largest telescope in the morning, and then go back that evening for a Star Party. You get to look through several smaller telescopes and have a ranger talk about the stars above. One evening we will drive to Marfa to see the mysterious Marfa lights. They are an unexplained mystery. We are working on having a meal there, too. The Farewell Dinner will be at the Ranch and that will end your “A Taste of Big Bend 08 Travelcade.”
Registration Fee is $96 per person; Kitty Fee is $480 per couple; $380 per single; $100 guest.
Harry & Flo Brennen – Travelcade Leaders
(936) 873-5004