Alpine, Texas - Back to a Favorite Small Town

January 23-25, 2019


Six years-ago when we first started full-timing, we stumbled across the west Texas town of Alpine. The plan was to go south to Big Bend National Park, but we delayed entering due to a huge race that we assumed would have the campgrounds filled up with participants. We pulled into Lost Alaskan RV Park in Alpine and spent a few days getting to know the town. This time we made reservations for three nights and spent the time unwinding after a hectic week in San Antonio.

Enjoying a full hookup campsite before boondocking

Alpine lies 80 miles directly north of Big Bend National Park. At a higher elevation than the park, it is cooler in the winter and summer. Sul Ross State University is located there and we were finally able to visit it's excellent Museum of the Big Bend. One of the best small town museums we've seen. We learned a great deal about the history and science of the area known as the Big Bend of the Rio Grande River, the bump-out you see along the border with Mexico in southwest Texas.

We were also excited to find the food truck, CowDog, still in business. We ate there six years-ago and again a few years back when we were just passing through the area. Gourmet Hebrew National hot dogs with all kinds of unusual toppings were yummy!

We had an excellent lunch, as we did six years before, at Reata, named for the ranch house in the movie “Giant” that was filmed nearby in the Marfa, Texas area. They specialize in Texan food, and we had another excellent meal including locally raised beef. We were in cattle country at last! We spent the rest of our time walking around town, checking out a few galleries, and absorbing the small town ambiance with its west Texas flair. Lots of ten gallon hats and cowboy boots on the locals.

The local welcome center

After three nights we decided it was time to give up our plans to go back to Big Bend National Park, since the government shutdown was continuing, and head for Big Bend Ranch State Park.