This is the first of a string of posts dedicated to our family's "West Texas Adventure". We had planned this adventure for many months - exploring the desert, sleeping in a tee pee, attending a star party, seeing what marfa is really all about (wink, wink), hiking in big bend, and sleeping under the stars. We had such an amazing time. Our first stop was in the cute little Far West Texas town of Fort Davis...
We loaded the car early Saturday morning and set off on our adventure. Over six hours of driving (and one potty stop later), we finally arrived at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens. We were all glad to get out and stretch our legs, and we figured this place would be perfect for doing just that. We had a wonderful little chat with an older couple who were volunteer staff (and headed to Washington State next!) We had about an hour before closing, so they tipped us off on the best trails for our energetic tribe of little ones. The threat of wild animals is real in West Texas - so they actually have a gate that goes around the area so that it won't be disturbed. This is something we learned over and again: be careful. Not only are their mountain lions, bears, and havalina to cross paths with - but there are also huge cacti which will go through your shoe (and foot) if you don't watch your step. It is serene and rather untouched, with that side of wild that keeps you on your toes as you explore.
It was humid and raining when we left Austin - but in the desert, the air was dry and we were drenched in bright sun and the heat of the day. Hence, my oldest daughter and I brought our big, floppy sun hats. The botanical gardens were so fun, and so pretty. Coming from the very lush and green Pacific Northwest, the desert has a beauty all it's own. It's so fun to see beauty everywhere. Sometimes, in unexpected places. You just have to look a little harder sometimes, or slow down, to notice. There was also a large greenhouse filled with hundreds of little cacti, many of which were flowering with blooms this time of year. It was so beautiful! I would definitely recommend stopping here to explore if you are ever in the area. We spent about 90 minutes here, but you could honestly spend half a day or more. It was the perfect introduction to the area, and we're so glad we stopped by!
Tip: If you have your receipt for an event at the nearby McDonald Observatory, you also get half off your admission ticket (and kids 12 and under are free!)
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