BIG BEND LOOP
PRE/POST TOUR
Pre Tour:
Available Space | 10
Length | 3 nights, arrive Oct. 17; return to El Paso Oct. 20 for start of core.
Hotel | Gage Hotel (Marathon), Stone Village Tourist Camps (Fort Davis) TENTATIVE, Holland Hotel or Maverick Hotel (Alpine)
Highlights | Gage Hotel & Gardens, Eve’s Garden B&B, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Davis Mountains State Park & Indian Lodge, McDonald Observatory, Chinati Foundation, Prada Marfa, “Giant” Art Installation, Sul Ross State University, Museum of the Big Bend
Physical Ability | All will be Level 1 except for the Day 2 hike at Fort Davis that will be a level 2 portion
Cost:
-Active $475
-Associate $550
-Emeritus $575
-Spouse $575
Post Tour:
Available Space | 10
Length | 3 nights, depart El Paso Oct. 24, return to EL Paso to fly home Oct. 27.
Hotel | Gage Hotel (Marathon), Stone Village Tourist Camp (Fort Davis) TENTATIVE, Holland Hotel or Maverick Hotel (Alpine)
Highlights | Gage Hotel & Gardens, Eve’s Garden B&B, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Davis Mountains State Park & Indian Lodge, McDonald Observatory, Chinati Foundation, Prada Marfa, “Giant” Art Installation, Sul Ross State University, Museum of the Big Bend
Physical Ability | All will be Level 1 except for the Day 2 hike at Fort Davis that will be a level 2 portion
Cost:
-Active $475
-Associate $550
-Emeritus $575
-Spouse $575
Disclaimer: Tour is subject to change based on number of participants. Visit Big Bend reserves the right to cancel the tour or change the tour itinerary if necessary. Deadline for cancellation to be determined with guidance by SATW.
There will be no refunds for the pre- and post-tours as those funds go to the entities providing the trips.
Description
The Big Bend Loop Tour will give an overview of the “Tri-County” section of Big Bend including the unique characteristics of the core towns in the area like:
– Marfa – with its unique art scene and world renowned Chinati Foundation established by minimalist New York artist Donald Judd,
– Fort Davis – with one of the country’s best-preserved frontier forts and the 2nd largest telescope of its kind in the world at McDonald Observatory plus the breathtaking Davis Mountains State Park,
– Alpine – home to Sul Ross State University and the Museum of the Big Bend along with a vibrant nightlife and unique accommodations including the historic Holland Hotel,
– Marathon – a historic ranching area with the Gage Hotel anchoring this quaint town of 450 that heralds itself as the “Gateway to the Big Bend.”
Pre Tour Day by Day Itinerary
(trip note – El Paso is in the Mountain Time zone while the rest of the itinerary will be in the Central Time zone)
Oct. 17:
Flights arrive El Paso International Airport by 3:00pm MST
3:30pm Depart El Paso for Marathon – Gage Hotel
8:30pmCST Arrive Marathon – Dinner 12 Gage Restaurant – Overnight Gage Hotel
Oct. 18:
MORNING
Tour Gage Hotel & Gage Gardens
View various art shops in downtown Marathon
Tour World’s Largest Papercrete B&B: Eve’s Garden
Noon: Depart for Fort Davis
AFTERNOON
Tour Fort Davis National Historic Site
Tour Davis Mountains State Park Indian Lodge
Hike Davis Mountain State Park “Skyline Drive Trail”
EVENING:
Star Party at McDonald Observatory
Overnight: Stone Village Tourist Camp
Oct. 19:
MORNING
Depart for Marfa
Tour Chinati Foundation Art Complex
EVENING
Depart for Alpine
Overnight: Holland Hotel or Maverick Hotel (T)
Oct. 20:
MORNING
Hike “Hancock Hill” at Sul Ross State University
10:00 a.m. Private Tour: Museum of the Big Bend & Map Room
NOON
Depart for El Paso
On the Way:
-Visit Giant Movie Set art installation
-Stop at “Prada Marfa” art installation
Arrive El Paso for SATW Conference: 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. MST
Post Tour Day by Day Itinerary
(trip note – El Paso is in the Mountain Time zone while the rest of the itinerary will be in the Central Time zone)
Oct. 24:
10:00am Depart El Paso for Marathon – Gage Hotel
Along the way:
Stop at Prada Marfa
Visit “Giant” movie set art installation
8:30pmCST Arrive Marathon – Dinner 12 Gage Restaurant – Overnight Gage Hotel
Oct. 25:
MORNING
Tour Gage Hotel & Gage Gardens
View various art shops in downtown Marathon
Tour World’s Largest Papercrete B&B: Eve’s Garden
Noon: Depart for Fort Davis
AFTERNOON
Tour Fort Davis National Historic Site
Tour Davis Mountains State Park Indian Lodge
Hike Davis Mountain State Park “Skyline Drive Trail”
Evening:
Star Party at McDonald Observatory
Overnight: Stone Village Tourist Camp
Oct. 26:
MORNING
Depart for Marfa
Tour Chinati Foundation Art Complex
EVENING
Depart for Alpine
Overnight: Holland Hotel or Maverick Hotel (T)
Oct. 27:
Breakfast and depart Alpine.
Travel to El Paso, arrive airport by 1 p.m.
Return to El Paso Airport on Oct. 27 by 1 p.m., so make flights accordingly—2:30 pm or after.