The last view of Texas

Another post on the road trip....we're almost done.
 I left Alpine, Texas and headed north.

 First stop? Fort Davis- Army post in the Wild West and now, home to an observatory.

On the Road... again? Still.  Love the big open spaces. 

 


I do love this land.

 And the skies- it's so awesome to see the clouds forming- not quite like the summer thunderheads but still beautiful.

Another Texan... public library.
It looks like a bit like an old jail.

But someone loved it- sorry it was closed when I was there.

 9/27/2012 8 photos

This historic building houses one of the most unique and character filled libraries I've ever seen!   Every nook & cranny is interesting and filled with over 100 years of West Texas / Ft. Davis History.  There's so much to look at & explore in this amazing library!  

We were greeted by a sweet librarian by the name of Pat.  She was happy to tell us all about the library, past & present.  The library houses 31,281 volumes & circulates 35,618 items a year.  It  serves a population of 2,253 residents.  The creaky old wood floors & the old tin ceilings added so much charm and character to the experience.   There are hidden nooks with nice Comfy chairs to plop down in and enjoy a full day of reading & exploring.....it'll take ya back & take ya away!  I wanted to spend the whole day with Pat & read & learn more........=(.       I CAN NOT Wait to check into the Limpia Hotel and walk across the way to spend a day at The AMAZING Jeff Davis Library!   See ya next time!

http://ttpls.tsl.state.t…

Looks  like a hundred years ago...
just take away the FedEx machine! 

And of course,
the stunning  courthouse.
They are everywhere.

It is Texas.

Headed up the mountain to the observatory.

Best thing I observed all day.

I love old trucks and I think my daddy drove one like this.
Or should have.

 1966, if the license plate is right.

Heading up higher, unfortunately into the clouds.

Check out the sky.


Back on the road.
We'll do the observatory another day.

The Guadalupe Mountains on the way to El Paso.
Magnificent. 

The road to El Paso.
Not so magnificent. 

Just to give you a perspective of the ninety miles between the Guadalupe Mountains and El Paso.
. Sand flats, and they were flat.

To be honest, this was the bleakest part

 The solo traveler's best friend?
Books on tape

I've been counseled to find good things to say about all the wonderful and varied places I've been. 

So..... I arrived in El Paso, home of Fort Bliss Army Post, at night and eventually overcame the construction project that blocked the road to the Fort Bliss YMCA.

 It had decent rooms with a fridge and a microwave. .  And a secure parking lot. A bonus for a solo traveler. 

Fort Bliss Army Post is big.
Huge.
1.2 million acres.


Good things to say about Fort Bliss


Trees don't mess up the views across the vast desert that surrounds it.
Looks like a great place to get a tan.

Snow shovels aren't necessary.  
Or lawn mowers- no pesky grass to cut here.

And it has a really nice Exchange and Commissary.

OK... now I can move on to the my favorite part of  El Paso- it's a quick trip to the New Mexican mountains.  Desert is beautiful, the mountains are home.

Off down, well actually up the road to Silver City, New Mexico.