The Joyful Ride To Del Rio, TX

The volunteer assignments during our month at Hueco Tanks State Historical Site were enjoyable, but we must admit that it feels good to have no daily schedule. Upon departing our rocky Hueco hideaway, we drove southeast by taking a series of back roads through small, friendly, dusty towns, watching the long Union Pacific trains that track along the highways. We grew nostalgic when viewing the many abandoned old ranch houses and fallen barns that had given up the struggle for survival in a vast, hot, arid land.

After driving nearly 300 miles, we camped at one of our more memorable campgrounds. We had stayed there on New Years Eve 2003. It is located several miles due north of Big Bend Nat. Park in the quiet little town of Marathon. After our setup, we walked for a half-mile to the town’s main attraction, the famous old Gage Hotel built by Alfred Gage in 1927-28. He was a banker and cattleman who came to Texas from Vermont. The hotel was Gage's temporary residence during times when he left his San Antonio offices to visit his huge spread of over 600 sections of land around Marathon. It was also the place where he entertained his many friends and colleagues. One can still rent an expensive room or suite at the grand, historic Gage with its beautifully decorated Old West lobby and lounge. Believe it or not, reservations are recommended for a weekend dinner.
The next day we drove through Langtry, where Judge Roy Bean once held his own version of court and built a small theatre named for the famous actress, Lily Langtry. He was infatuated with the world-famous Lily but never had the privilege of meeting her personally. She eventually did visit the town named for her, but the good Judge had died without meeting his dream lady.The prettiest site along our way was Lake Amistad, a National Recreation Area. Amistad means friendship, an appropriate name because our neighbors to the south cooperated in the funding and building of the six-mile-long dam across the Rio Grande River. Two huge, bronze eagles rest in the center of the dam symbolizing the cooperation of two nations, Mexico and the U.S. The common purpose is to control floods and provide water when and where it is needed on both sides of the border. On the U.S. side of the dam, the Pecos and Devils Rivers merge to help form the huge reservoir. This remarkably clear, blue lake, often frequented by high winds, is one of the premier sites for Texans and winter snowbirds that are interested in fishing and boating.