MONTHLY UPDATE - MARCH '19
i thi editio : what's been going on out here Chamber of Commerce member spotlight NEW! Where to stay in Fort Davis? what's coming up around town
ON THE COVER: The Trans Pecos is full of iconic mountains, including Mitre Peak. Here is a fantastic aerial photo of Mitre as captured by Russell Roach.
NOW IN STOCK: See how much rain your spread got from the last storm, in style. Fort Davis rain gauges are available at the Chamber office and at Fort Davis Outfitters.
Fort Davis update: loo a wha ' bee goin o i th cooles plac i Texa .
Recent winds had stirred up trash on HWY 118 south of town. The Fort Davis Lions Club took action, gathering their crew and hitting the highway shoulder along their adopted stretch of road. Their regularly scheduled clean-up isn't until April. A big thanks to the Fort Davis Lions Club for getting to work and helping keep our neighborhood clean! We ain't lyin' when we say we love our Lions!
/fortdavislionsclub
Overland Open for Spring After taking the winter off, the historic museum located on what once was the famous San Antonio - El Paso Road has now reopened for the spring season. Experience a glimpse into the way of life in the American west with neat artifacts, early photographs, and more. The Overland Trail Museum is owned and operated by the Fort Davis Historical Society. For more information, please visit: fortdavishistoricalsociety.com
...and speaking of the Museum Overland Trail Museum
The Overland Trail Pioneer Cemetery needs your help. If anyone has pictures of the cemetery, please send a message to the O.T.M. Facebook page. The Rockhouse fire of 2011 burned almost all of the wooden crosses marking many of the graves. Sadly, many of the graves are no longer recognized or known. Please help in this effort the historical significance of this cemetery is important!
having a ruff week?
Take a hike! /grandcompanions @grandcompanions
Grand Companions provides the pups, Davis Mountains State Park provides the trails - the rest is up to you! HIKE WITH A HOMELESS DOG is back! Every Thursday, you have a great opportunity to show some very deserving doggos some love. Who knows? You might just find your new best friend!
GRANDCOMPANIONS.org
Far West Texas in the 21st Century
(Bottom) A pair of Tesla travelers "fuel up" by the Hotel Limpia. (Top, center) A look at what the new tech fuel fillers look like - there is no charge to charge your ride, but donations are appreciated. Both photos courtesy of PLUGSHARE.com
There is now a coast-to-coast electric vehicle charging network, and part of the network happens to pass through our neighborhood. In Fall of 2018, Tesla activated a station in nearby Fort Stockton, allowing users to cruise from California to Florida on I-10. After the activation of the Fort Stockton station, the Tesla Motor Club wandered on over to the Hotel Limpia in Fort Davis, where a celebratory banquet was held. Electric drivers can also recharge in Fort Davis, too. The station is located on the eastern side of the Hotel Limpia.
NEW! Show off your Fort Davis pride with a fresh t-shirt design. Available at Stone Village Market, Fort Davis Outfitters, and the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce office.
/balmorheaSP
@balmorheastatepark
Going off the deep end again Balmorhe Stat Par r -open
After an extended hiatus, the beloved far west Texas State Park is back open. Structural issues to one of the pools had the park shut down for safety reasons back in 2018. There is ongoing renovation at the Park, including the San Solomon Courts and campground. At the time of this writing only the pool and day use areas are fully open to the public. The park is also undergoing a complete wastewater system replacement, so the bathhouse showers will be unavailable until the wastewater system is in place. During the renovation period, the pool and park will be open each day from 8 am until sunset or 7:30 pm. The pool restrooms will be open from 8 am to 7 pm each day. Show some love for this true oasis in our desert! Make your plans to visit this Spring Break! Photos via Balorhea State Park's Facebook page.
Lookin' Sharp! The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute had their annual Cactus & Succulent Sale on March 1113th. If you missed out, they'll be back next year with more prickly selections! You can also check out their greenhouse year-round. See CDRI.org for more info.
Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute
@cdri_naturecenter
JobCon 2019 Workforce Solutions Borderplex, based out of El Paso, held a job fair in late February for area high school students to talk to prospective employers. The Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce crew loaded up and headed to Marfa to promote jobs in tourism and community outreach. Students from Fort Davis, Valentine, Van Horn, Presidio, Marfa, and Alpine made the field trip. Pictured are the folks from Davis Mountains State Park and Sul Ross State University, far west Texas' local college based in nearby Alpine.
Thanks, y'all!
On March 9th, a super group of 14 adults and 2 kids met and helped clean up a couple of Fort Davis streets, donating about 35 total hours of service. All in all, two truckloads of trash were picked up! Thanks to the awesome volunteers and coordinators for making this happen!
Don't put away those jackets quite yet.
Mother Nature reminded residents of far west Texas that she and her pal Jack Frost were still around in late February and early March. A large cold front moved through the area, making campers at the State Park think twice about getting out of their down sleeping bags. Temps went from the high 70s to below freezing in a matter of hours as a chilling cold snap blew through the area. Here is a picture of the front rolling through Fort Davis that local John Avant captured. Brr!
Chamber of Commece Member Spotlight
Valentin Radi
Having a reliable avenue of communication in remote and wild far west Texas is a valuable resource, and Valentine Radio has been filling that need for the Fort Davis, Van Horn, Marfa, and Valentine communities since 2014. What began as a hobby has turned into a necessary means of connection for many. The station also serves as an outlet for area businesses to connect directly with their audience, having affordable advertising options starting as low as ¢75 per spot. To inquire about advertising and sports sponsorship opportunities, send an email to LISA@valentineradio.net. You can listen to Valentine Radio in town at 1610 on your AM dial, on their Google and iTunes apps, or anywhere in the world online at VALENTINERADIO.net
info@valentineradio.net - PO Box 277, Valentine TX 79854 /valentineradio1610
March 3rd was World Wildlife Day, and what better spot than far west Texas to celebrate it! Here are some shots of a few of our well known desert denizens courtesy of our friends at Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch. B.T.S.R. is located north of Fort Davis. If you're wanting to see an even wilder side of the high desert country, please visit BUFFALOTRAILBSA.org. /buffalotrailscoutranch @buffalotrailscoutranch
Ne ! Where to stay in Fort Davis? There is no shortage of neat places to stay in Fort Davis. In this new addition to the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce's newsletter, we'll be highlighting a chosen spot where visitors can lay their weary heads. From hotels, motels, campgrounds, AirBnB's, and VRBO's, we'll be working our way through the myriad charming places one can stay while visiting wild and scenic far west Texas. If you have any questions about lodging in the Fort Davis area, feel free to give us a call in office, send us an email, or message us on social media. Our contact information is at the end of the newsletter.
Fort Davis Inn & RV Park Fort Davis Inn & RV Park offers comfortable accommodations to make their guests stay stress-free. A variety of room configurations are available, with smoking and non-smoking rooms available by request. Amenities include free WiFi, 24 hour reception, hot breakfast at no cost, and guest laundry services. Pets are allowed for a fee, and parking is convenient and close. Fort Davis Inn & RV Park is located at 2201 N. State Street, and their phone number is 432-426-2112. Photos courtesy of FTDAVISINN.com.
ftdavisinn.com
432 - 426 - 2112
@ftdavisinn
/fortdavisinnrvpark
hike
FORT DAVIS
Miles of unobstructed views, montane forests, high desert grasslands, historic pathways, and endless photo opportunities await you in Fort Davis. Have questions on where to explore? Contact us in office for local knowledge on the best trails the Davis Mountains and Big Bend area have to offer.
What's coming up around town?
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whol lo mor .
Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute
photo: Andy Morgan
FULL MOON HIKE March 20, 2019 7:00 pm Powell Visitor Center $8/person RESERVATIONS REQUIRED events@cdri.org 432 - 364 - 2499
..also at CDRI SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING WALK March 30, 2019 8:30 am meet at Powell Visitor Center led by CECILIA RILEY $8/non-members, FREE for members limited to 12 people GENTLE MORNING WALKS April 1 & May 6, 2019 10 am meet at Powell Visitor Center $8/non-members, FREE for members
cdri.org
McDonald Observatory's Expanded Spring 2019 Schedule Twilight Program & Star Party Programs
Guided Tour & Solar Viewing Programs
For pricing and availability, call 432-426-3640 or visit MCDONALDOBSERVATORY.org
Embarking on March 30th. The iconic racing series comes to the Davis Mountains. ultraexpeditions.com/the-southwest-100
tHe SpICe is riGhT. 5th annual MILE HIGH CHILI COOKOFF at DAVIS MOUNTAINS STATE PARK April 13 - 14, 2019 deTAilS tBa
Independence Day, far west Texas style.
coolest fourth of july July 4-6, 2019 fort davis, tx
PHOTO: Wes Boswell
You asked, we delivered. Pick up a FREE Texas Highway Map on your next trip through town or to the Chamber of Commerce. WiFi GPS isn't dependable when you're going through the mountains - pick up an ol' reliable paper map. No battery to recharge!
hasta luego
High desert serenity typical of the Davis Mountains. Photo by DAWN HEALEY.