West Tx Vacation! (San Antonio, Austin, Lubbock: spring break, hotel, homes)

[Eliza08]

Hubby and I are planning to get out of the cold (stuck in dreary Ohio presently) for a week, end of February, and want to travel to Big Bend. We're thinking we'll fly into Abilene and drive down through Midland and then on to Alpine. So do ya think we'll have plenty to do in these areas for 5-6 days? A bit of background - We've lived in San Antonio, did spring break there two years ago, and Austin last year for break. Oh my gawd! SA has changed, Austin was a lot of fun, scarey traffic. We've never seen Big Bend and think this will be a perfect trip. I'm tired of big cities and want to have a relaxing trip where we can kick back, enjoy the Tx people, scenery and of course the food! Any ideas for restaurants and inns would be great. We obviously don't have a plan so we're open to any side trails that lead to any interesting local attractions. Where this is mostly a vacation I am always looking to find a place in Texas to move back to. We'll probably check out jobs and housing while in those areas.
Oh and I definitely need a new pair of boots!!!

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Eliza08

Hubby and I are planning to get out of the cold (stuck in dreary Ohio presently) for a week, end of February, and want to travel to Big Bend. We're thinking we'll fly into Abilene and drive down through Midland and then on to Alpine. So do ya think we'll have plenty to do in these areas for 5-6 days? A bit of background - We've lived in San Antonio, did spring break there two years ago, and Austin last year for break. Oh my gawd! SA has changed, Austin was a lot of fun, scarey traffic. We've never seen Big Bend and think this will be a perfect trip. I'm tired of big cities and want to have a relaxing trip where we can kick back, enjoy the Tx people, scenery and of course the food! Any ideas for restaurants and inns would be great. We obviously don't have a plan so we're open to any side trails that lead to any interesting local attractions. Where this is mostly a vacation I am always looking to find a place in Texas to move back to. We'll probably check out jobs and housing while in those areas.
Oh and I definitely need a new pair of boots!!!

Since you have quite a bit of time, enjoy Big Bend--this is the best time of year to visit! Be sure and stop in at the Gage Hotel in Marathon!

The Gage Hotel - Big Bend National Park - West Texas

There are good restaurants all over, besides the Gage--Alpine, Marfa and Ft. Davis. It's been so long since I've been down there that I can't remember the names!

[Cowboybootnut]

I did a post during the summer on a similar trip. I am envious of you trip even though it has only been 6 months since I was there. If you need boots fast, stop at a Cavendar's in Abilene, go for Black Jack or Lucchese boots, they are the best available. If you want custom mades that are more expensive and take months to get, Abilene has several custom bootmakers.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas...bend-area.html

[ChristieP]

Fly into MIDLAND, not Abilene. Midland is served by major airlines, while Abilene is only served by American Eagle.

If you had time to go to San Angelo, ML Leddy's would set you up with a great pair of boots!

[teatime]

I disagree with ChristieP. DO fly into Abilene and spend a day or two touring around here and in Buffalo Gap. There are some really neat things to do like Frontier Texas! and the Buffalo Gap Historical Village. Great scenery, as well. And, yeah, we do have a couple of custom bootmakers here in Abilene, plus Cavender's Boot City, Luskey/Ryons, and Farm and Ranch Western Wear if you want to buy 'em already made.

[Cowboybootnut]

You could actually do a loop, start in Midland (yes there are more flights), head south to Big Bend, spend time there, then head up to Abilene and finish up in Midland. Neither Midland or Abilene should be missed, and Abilene does have some great spots that should not be missed because of the lesser air service.

[catman]

Eliza08: While you're out west, don't neglect to take the road north from Fort Davis to McDonald Observatory. That area is my favorite part of Texas. It's really beautiful up there! And the observatory itself is a cool place to visit.

[Eliza08]

Thanks for all your replies! I can't wait to get down to Tx! Have you seen the weather we're having here in Ohio? The winters are the worst, and the ten years I've been gone from Tx I am always homesick Jan/Feb. The grumpiest people in the world are in Ohio this time of year. I'll probably just get a pair of ready made boots, these will always be better than buying boots in Ohio. I mean, come on, what's the point in buying western boots here! I wanted to get a Tx dirt hat last year in Austin but I'd get the strangest looks here so I didn't bother. I shouldn't have cared, I'm turning in to a Yank, gotta get me outta here! Catman, I definitely want to travel from Ft Davis to the Observatory. What's the chance of all this lovely scenery making me homesick enough to move back? We need to have jobs first though don't we...I believe I have a cousin living around Marfa, will have to look him up. Hubby and I are watching "No Country for Old Men" and "Friday Night Lights" on bluray currently. Almost as good as being there. Oh, and we won't have a problem flying in to Abilene, we usually fly American. Do we need to see Lubbock? Or just stick with the loop we are all agreed on? Thanks again!

[tgannaway89]

Fort Davis and the mountains are scenic but Abilene is a dump. Don't bother with Lubbock... look at a few pics on the net and you've seen it all.

Check out Balmorhea Lake if you can while your there!

[Cowboybootnut]

Lubbock is too far away for that big a loop and 5-6 days travel.

Here is a new web-site link for Abilene too.

ABILENE ROADTRIP 2008: Hit the road and have some FUN!