Ride Big Bend

813 miles one way. 14 hours, 45 minutes driving time.

Tuesday, September 29

2:10pm

Final Odometer: 1746 miles

Tuesday, September 29

7:10am

Odometer: 1568 miles

It's 46 degrees in Eldorado, Texas. At 70mph, the wind-chill is 31 degrees. We're both adverse to becoming popsicles, so we'll head east on Highway 190 when it warms up.

Motorcycle Wind Chill Chart

Monday, September 28

6:40pm

Odometer: 1486 miles

Headed East. Traveling on Hwy. 190. Staying the night in fabulous Eldorado, Texas: population 1600, home of the fighting Eldorado Eagles. We got to the hotel in time to watch the Dallas Stars blow game six of the Stanley Cup.

Monday, September 28

12:15pm

Odometer: 1272 miles

On Hwy. 118 & Hwy. 166, the 75-mile Fort Davis Scenic Loop is easily in the top 5 motorcycle roads in Texas. It has tons of rest stops, vistas, and historic markers through the area nicknamed, "The Texas Alps." The road elevation ranges from 4500 to 6700 feet. This is one of the most iconic drives in Texas because the terrain varies from forested mountain peaks to highland desert. The last photo is Mcdonald Observatory, which is currently closed to visitors due to the pandemic. Not pictured is the world's largest spring fed public swimming pool and rental cabins built by the CCC in 1930 at Balmorhea State Park on Hwy 17 in Toyahvale. Don't miss this world famous art deco oasis in the high desert. And don't forget your snorkel. But if you do, there's a dive shop across the street.

https://mcdonald.utexas.edu/

https://texashighways.com/adventures/postcards-davis-mountains-scenic-loop/

hotellimpia.com

Monday, September 28

9:00am

A West Texas sandstorm on Hwy 118 between Alpine and Fort Davis.

Sunday, September 27

9:35am

Sunday, September 27

12:05pm

Odometer: 1097 miles

Leaving Big Bend National Park and headed to Alpine, Texas.

Sunday, September 27

9:00am

On Maxwell Scenic Drive in BBNP. We attempted to visit the border crossing to Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico and drive to Balance Rock trail head, but both were closed.

https://www.hikingproject.com/gem/96/balanced-rock

Sunday, September 27

9:15am

More Maxwell Scenic Drive in BBNP, including Mule Ears peaks.

Sunday, September 27

10:30am

100 degrees. Loose horses looking for water and vultures looking for horses looking for water. Leaving Santa Elena Canyon.

Sunday, September 27

8:15am

Along the road to Chisos Basin in BBNP. Check out the visitor center, the hotel, and watch out for the bears, mountain lions, and wolves that frequent the area.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

Sunday, September 27

7:40am

Saturday, September 26

Noon

Odometer: 987 miles

Staying the night in Terlingua at the El Dorado Hotel & Bar. (or maybe it's the other way around) Oh boy, it's live music Saturday in Terlingua. Thanks to Mr. Rod Calhoun, bartender and genius philosopher.

https://www.eldoradohotelterlingua.com/

Saturday, September 26

10:14am

At Fandango Dom Rock on Hwy. 170, near Lajitas, Texas. This is a location from the cult classic film, "Fandango", that first introduced movie goers to actor Kevin Costner, Judd Nelson, and the vastness of the Trans Pecos. I ignored the Rio Grande river rafters yelling at me to jump; I'm sure they were just joking...mostly.

Friday, September 25

7:19pm

Odometer: 934 miles

Hwy 170 from Lajitas back to Presidio. So nice, we did it twice. Roger is pointing to elephant rock. We're staying at the Reata Inn in Presidio tonight.