Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alpine
POP 5905
Centrally located as the hub between Fort Davis, Marfa and Marathon, Alpine is about a
half-hour drive from any of them. And it's not just a hub, geographically speaking: it's the
seat of Brewster County and the biggest of the four towns, offering services and amenities
the others don't. The only city in the area with more than 5000 people, it also has the
area's sole four-year college and its only modern hospital.
Sights & Activities
Museum of the Big Bend
( 432-837-8143;
www.sulross.edu/museum
; 400 N Harrison St; donations accepted; 9am-5pm Tue-Sat, 1-5pm
Sun)
This interesting little museum has been around since 1937, but a complete renovation
in 2006 has made it a great place to brush up on the history of the Big Bend region. Learn
about how Big Bend was once under the sea, and find out how camels fit into the region's
history.
The museum is designed for maximum visual appeal, incorporating broad and impress-
ive re-creations rather than cases full of relics. Reading is kept to a minimum, but, when
called for, the beautifully designed signage draws you right in.
Most impressive? The enormous wing bone of the Texas pterosaur found in Big Bend
National Park - the largest flying creature ever found, with an estimated wing span of
more than 50ft - along with the intimidatingly large re-creation of the whole bird that's
big enough to snatch up a fully grown human and carry him off for dinner.
MUSEUM
Woodward Ranch
( 432-364-2271;
www.woodwardranch.com
;
adult/child under 6yr $5/free; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat)
Hunt for
red plume and pom-pom Texas agate, jasper, labradorite feldspar, calcite, opal and other
minerals at the Woodward Ranch. This 100-year-old cattle ranch is 16 miles south of town
on Hwy 118 and has nearly 3000 acres open to rock hounds. It's $3 a pound for whatever
you keep, or, if you prefer easy pickings, visit the
rock shop
( 9am-5pm)
.
They also have camping ($20) and RV sites ($35) if you care to bunk down for the
night.
ROCK HUNTING
