Indian Lodge, in Davis Mountains State Park, Thanksgiving 2014

18. & 19. Indian Lodge, in Davis Mountains State Park: We got 3 rooms for the 6 of us (us, Mark and Sherry, Aaron's parents and Bill and Terrie, my parents).   Thanksgiving Day we hiked the Montezuma Quail Trail to the Indian Lodge Trail, saw tons of birds and ate Thanksgiving dinner at the Black Bear Restaurant at the Lodge.  After dinner, we all drove up to the Scenic Overlook and Aaron and I hiked down the Skyline Drive Trail and saw more birds, including one big white one which turned out to be a domestic dove that some idiot had released nearby for a wedding.
Friday we went to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, Alpine, Big Bend Brewing Company, and Marfa, where we checked into our 2nd hotel, the Paisano.  This was the hotel where the cast and crew from the movie "Giant" all stayed.  Friday night we went up to McDonald Observatory for a Star Party, which was literally very cool.  Jackets were required and shivering was tolerated to see all the cool things we saw with the help of telescopes and astronomers.

Indian Lodge was built by the CCC in 1935, originally only having 16 rooms, in the adobe Pueblo Style, with locally made adobe blocks and hand-hewn pine beams.   Davis Mountains State Park was developed by the CCC around the same time, with the same companies of volunteers.

Nearby attractions, other than the ones mentioned above: the gorgeous pink county courthouse in Marfa, the red and white courthouse in Alpine, the domed courthouse in Ft. Davis, the Marfa Lights, and many great restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping between the 3 towns.  There is a terrific natural, organic grocery store (think miniature Whole Foods) in Ft. Davis as well. Alpine is home to Sul Ross State University, so is the largest and most diverse of the 3 towns.  Marfa is known for its arts scene and also its unique hotels and motels.  Ft. Davis boasts the old Fort, which is nicely renovated and offers a glimpse into frontier military life.

Indian Lodge.

Alpine mural.

All 6 of us on the trail.