Davis Mountain State Park, Texas November 5th

We hit the road pretty early from Monahans Sandhills SP as we wanted to dump and did not want a lineup. By 9 am  we were on our way to Davis Mountain State Park. I booked these State Park sites in Texas a few weeks ago when I realized it's hard to even get a spot. They're all quite busy at this time of year. This is why at Palo Dura we stayed outside the park, as there were no sites available that would fit us.

Once we got off the I-20 and onto the Texas 17 the drive is much prettier and we finally see mountains again. Really cool rock formations along the Limpia Creek.

After a short 2 hour drive, we made our destination. We should have booked 2 days. lol We managed to get it all in though. Davis Mountain has extensive trails to hike and a scenic skyline drive. We of course did the latter.

Driving up to the park is this wonderful picnic area.

Once set up in our site by 11:30 am, it's off to their Bear Restaurant at the Indian Lodge inside the park for a bite to eat. Nothing special, but the burgers were pretty good.

Our campsite #50 with only 30 amp power and water. Again we could not get into the 50 amp full service sites as these are full with 50 airstreams lol I don't mind no sewer or water but do like 50 amp for A/C. Did not need it though, as we did not face into the sun and it's quite a bit cooler today.

The original portion of the Indian Lodge was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This historic 39-unit park lodge has a swimming pool, a meeting room, and the Black Bear Restaurant. Located in the scenic Davis Mountains State Park. Civilian Conservation Corps: Men of the CCC molded adobe blocks to form the walls of Indian Lodge. They used locally harvested materials for the finishing interior touches. CCC workers in Bastrop built the lodge’s furniture.

They are closing Indian Lodge in January 2023 for a complete remodel that will take a year. Glad we got to see it this time.

After lunch, we decided to do the Skyline Drive which conveniently left from the campsite loops. We zig zagged up the mountain to the overlooks. Wow what a view.

I took this with my phone as I loved the colour of the grasses waving in the wind.

While we were looking at spots for different viewpoints .... the biggest grasshopper we've ever seen almost landed on Ray's foot. Boy did he jump. It was the size of a tarantula spider and we've seen 2 of them recently.

It was the size of a big lemon!

CCC Work

The Rock House

Interpretive Centre by our campsite.

After this drive, Ray dropped me back at camp and carried on to Fort Davis. Not my thing so here's Ray.

Fort Davis National Historic Site is very large.  Most people continue past the Visitor Centre to the ex Enlisted Men's Barracks.

The first building houses examples of hardware used by the Buffalo Soldiers of the Ninth Cavalry. Included in the exhibits is canon, mortar and a gatling gun.

The next building they've set up like the barracks of old.

 

You next pass by the remaining foundations of the stables and corral.

Next is the Guardhouse, Bakery and Commissary.

Bakery

Commissary

Guard House

The two story Officers Quarters are nestled up against the rock cliff.

I bypassed the Officers Row housing passing the Chapel and Headquarters on my way to the hospital.

Then it's off to Officers' Row.

The houses are made of brick.

A couple of these houses were "period" furnished including the Commanding Officers house.

Then back to the Visitor Centre via the huge Parade Ground.

A small part of the Parade Ground in the foreground.

After touring the Fort he just had to stop for an ice cream. :)

Ray was up and out for pictures around 7:30 am new time, and went back up the Skyline Drive for some sunrise shots. Beautiful.

One of the trails.

MacDonald Observatory on the far hill.

We did not get any pictures of Fort Davis, the town. Ray stopped at the ice cream caboose and then came back to camp. Leaving we noticed it was such a cute little town so here are a few "google" pictures. We could have easily stayed here 3 days if we had the time and there was room. 

Off to Big Bend National Park.