Marfa Madness - July 4th Weekend

This past July 4th I decided to go to Marfa and Big Bend (a little art - a little camping).  It was all planned quite last minute (impulsive tendencies). I borrowed camping gear from an ex boyfriend (who ironically enough loved to camp and who I never went camping with) and got a friend of mine to go with me (I'm pretty sure it was just because they thought I would most likely die) and off we went....

Texas is one of the few places you can travel in a car for 8 hours and never actually cross the state line.  Unfortunately there is no easy way to get to Marfa by plane (I knew of some friends who flew into Midland and then rented a car and drove the remaining 3 hours).  I suggest if coming from anywhere else in the country to fly into Dallas and then just drive down (you'll feel like you've crossed into a different state as you get farther south - just make sure to have a great playlist and pleasant/attractive company).

After making the appx 8 hour drive and arriving around 11 pm (once the darkness settled in and I could see all the stars ahead it felt as if I could be anywhere) we arrived at The Maverick Inn - a charming little hotel located in Alpine, TX - only about 20 miles from Marfa.  Unfortunately due to the last minute booking this would only be the hotel for this one night. I would recommend it for an extended stay (if going in warmer weather there's even a pool). The rooms are comfy - the bathrooms are tiny (the shower even smaller) - but step outside, smell the fresh air and remember why you came in the first place (hopefully it wasn't for the bathroom).

The next morning it was off to Marfa. It was the Marfa film festival and rumblings were heard of Matthew McConaughey being in town were heard (false - bummer).  However, once there it appeared as if everything was...well...closed.  A friend had suggested Marfa Burrito for breakfast - a literal hole in the wall (just a house along a nondescript road) where the woman only spoke spanish and the menu was straight forward (meat and potatoes, potatoes and egg), but luckily my Travel Companion (TC) spoke spanish and was able to order us two veggie burritos.  Little did we know we only needed ONE veggie burrito, unless we wanted to feed the town.  They are HUGE - but delicious and cheap, so the idea of wasting doesn't feel so bad (warning: we both kept trying to eat it until we felt borderline sick).   A local woman had told us of all the July 4th happenings in the town of Ft. Davis.  We decided since most of Marfa looked closed we'd head there.  However, we first had to visit the famous Prada Marfa exhibit. It's located about 30 miles outside of Marfa.  It was...interesting.  It's literally in the middle of nowhere and has definitely seen better days.  The awning was tattered and torn, the merch inside faded and "vintage" looking.  After sitting in the car and watching people make fools of themselves while trying to get the perfect instagram shot, we got out and of course did the same (but in a much more dignified manner - selfies anyone?) and really, even tattered and torn I was still thrilled to be standing there. A fashion girl even in the middle of nowhere.

Then it was off to Ft. Davis, the town that time forgot. If you were asked to picture an old western town, this would be exactly it.  There was even a general store that sold ice cream with people out front on rocking chairs.  We walked through the festival, got some corn on the cob (sadly we skipped the funnel cake), and walked through the shops.  It was great. I felt like I'd stepped back in time.  We stopped at the one (yes - one) bar in town for a drink, watched some tv and just relaxed.  We talked to a local hotel owner who said rooms book up a year in advance (clearly with a 2 week notice we didn't stand a chance).  As much as I wanted to see fireworks on July 4th we decided to go to the McDonald Observatory (fireworks = #basic). We attended the Star Party - a night sky constellation tour and then a chance to view different planets/stars/constellations through one of their many telescopes afterwards.  It was a gorgeous night and just looking at the stars was breathtaking.

After we'd taken in all the stars (we joked that Saturn looked like a google image they had simply taped it to the end of the telescope - I mean..maybe), we drove back to Alpine to stay at our hotel for night 2 - the Value Lodge.  It's a cheap and no frills hotel, but it had cable and a nice shower and surprisingly a mini fridge. I mean, what more do you need in a room other than a mini fridge? (a soft mattress? Nah. Extra extra extra firm is good)

Marfa was a quaint and pleasant little town...perhaps if we'd gone on a day when things had been open we would have found more to do (or if I'd actually done any research before we arrived).  However, it's a trip I would definitely make a gain and the McDonald Observatory was one of the best July 4th's I've ever had....who needs fireworks when you have space (and no cell service, I love no cell service).

Namaste.