Ride Big Bend

A motorcycle tour through Texas' legendary Trans Pecos, with stops at Bandera, Leakey, Vanderpool, Utopia, Del Rio, Langtry, Marathon, Marfa, Dom Rock, Terlingua, Santa Elena Canyon, Balancing Rock, Boqillas del Carmen Mexico, Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory, and Toyahvale.

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Click here to see our previous adventures.

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

A complete list of all informational website links is located at the very bottom of this website.

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Tuesday, September 29

2:10pm

Final Odometer: 1746 miles

Ah, home. Now, for a nice relaxing week to recuperate from vacation. Thanks for coming along. See you on down the road.

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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

https://texasfortstrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities/cities/eldorado

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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.

https://www.aaroads.com/guides/us-190-tx/

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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

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea

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Monday, September 28

9:00am

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

https://www.nps.gov/foda/index.htm

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Sunday, September 27

9:35am

Heading into Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend. Hike into the canyon for a chance to see the death defying, cliff-scaling black bears. Yeah, it's a real thing; Google it.

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Sunday, September 27

12:05pm

Odometer: 1097 miles

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

https://doradomagazine.com/10-things-to-do-in-alpine-texas/

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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

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/07/travel/big-bend-boquillas-border.html

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Sunday, September 27

9:15am

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

https://visitbigbend.com/ross-maxwell-scenic-drive/

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Sunday, September 27

10:30am

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

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/santa-elena-canyon-trail

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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

https://inspiredimperfection.com/adventures/chisos-basin-visitor-center/

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Sunday, September 27

7:40am

From Terlingua's funky cemetery to Maxwell Scenic Road in Big Bend National Park. Driving Big Bend at sunrise is a visual treat. You'll thank me for getting up early.

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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/

http://ghosttowntexas.com/terlingua.html

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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.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/lets-go-dig-up-dom/

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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.

https://havingfuninthetexassun.com/2015/12/05/el-camino-del-rio-the-river-road-fm-170-from-lajitas-to-presidio/