July Detour of Texas Announced!
Reach for that Stetson and slip into those boots, because the first Detour of Texas is here andwe’re headed west! More specifically we’ll be exploring the Big Bend region including hidden visual gems in Marfa, Alpine and Terlingua.
Big Bend National Park has over 800,000 acres of river canyons, desert and mountains to explore. It’s not only a fantastic destination for the landscape, but also the immense wildlife and variety of outdoor activities. This month’s virtual route, which is also highly recommended to earmark for an in-person visit in the near future, is The Window Trail. This beautiful trail begins near the Chisos Basin lodge with a moderate 800 feet of descent over the initial two miles. Take a moment to enjoy the rolling hills and vertical rock walls surrounding the Chihuahuan Desert! This 5.2 mile trail boasts some beautiful views, bird watching and even a waterfall. Don’t let the sights fool you though, while the downhills were fun you do have a climb on the back half of the journey.
As you’ll begin to notice, these detours are far more than just a moment to exercise. We’re also here to celebrate the hidden gems that Texas has to offer. These gems can range from great little coffee shops nestled in quiet corners to robust art installations throughout the state. This month, we’d love to let you in on some of our favorite places that we’ve visited over the years!
Food & Beverage
If you’ve always wanted to visit a prehistoric-themed restaurant and bar with a murderous past and underground cave, we have just the place for you! Located in Terlingua, a seemingly sleepy ghost town, La Kiva opened its doors in 1981 and became a cornerstone of Terlingua for locals and tourists alike. It was not until 2014 that the bone-laden walls of La Kiva were rocked with the murder of then owner, Glenn Felts. Luckily for all of us, long-time patron of La Kiva, John Holroyd, purchased the property and began renovations, which he documented online for all to see. Holroyd brought La Kiva back to life in all its former glory and more! Next time you’re in the west, pop over for a beverage, a steak, a little live music and one of the most unique bar and grill experiences you’ll ever have.
- La Kiva
23220 FM 170
Terlingua, TX 79852
Other food and beverage gems of the west:
- Bar Nadar at Hotel St George – Marfa, TX
- Cedar Coffee Supply – Alpine, TX
- Big Bend Cookbook – Recipes & Stories from the Heart of West Texas – Publication
Arts & Media
Marfa and Terlingua are widely known for their artistic communities, most notably the Prada store off Highway-90, but did you know they have one of the best dang public radio stations in the state? That’s right! Marfa Public Radio is truly a gem over the airwaves, and their robust trophy case of journalistic awards (44 Regional Murrow Awards) on both the regional and national stage further solidifies that fact.
Tune in to KRTS 93.5 as you pass the “Welcome to Marfa” sign, and have a listen to their weekly talk show, West Texas Talk. In addition to their immense quality over the airwaves, the station itself is an absolute beauty and the place to be during their membership drive block parties.
Can’t quite make it out to catch Marfa Public Radio on terrestrial radio? Check it out online!
Other arts and media gems of the west:
- Chinati – Marfa, TX
- Ballroom Marfa – Marfa, TX
Events & Recreation
Calling all cosmonauts! That’s right, you’re headed to outer space… sort of. If you’ve ever considered a trip to Marfa you’ve likely come across El Cosmico. A quirky hotel with unique lodging options such as Airstream trailers, yurts and even tepees (pssst! We recommend the trailer with the outdoor shower)! What you may not be aware of is that El Cosmico also hosts one of the most majestic music festivals in Texas, the Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love normally slated to take place in September.
This unique festival is a weekend packed with live music, sandlot baseball, art installations and much much more. It’s tough to say what you’ll find, but speaking from personal experience, we highly recommend diving in head first into the experiential day classes hosted by artists as well as taking time to peruse their shops for one-of-a-kind creations! To put it into their own words, “Expect an alchemystical blend of music, art, baseball, friends and more under the big sky.”
- El Cosmico – Trans Pecos Festival of Music + Love
802 S. Highland Ave.
Marfa, TX 79843
Other events and recreation of the west:
- Marathon to Marathon – Marathon, TX
- 54th Annual CASI Terlingua International Chili Championship – Terlingua, TX
- The Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert – Wick Fowler
- Championship Chili Cook Off – Terlingua, TX
Like what you’ve read? This type of content will be available monthly for “Monthly Detours” registrants! To gain access to the remaining nine detours, be sure to register today!