Day Three – RAIN in Fort Stockton
Today we were supposed to drive down through Big Bend National Park, enjoying plant and bird life and scenery. However, it rained all night last night in Balmorhea, and was very cold this morning with predictions of rain throughout the day today all over southwest Texas. We opted to drive the forty-some miles to Fort Stockton, for the promise of a cheap motel. Camping in this weather is NOT welcome.
We got here, and had a VERY unsatisfactory lunch at a restaurant called Mi Casita. On the walls inside, there were about 10 plaques from the city calling it the ‘best restaurant’. If this is the best restaurant…YIKES. The food wasn’t good, and the service was BAD. Here’s a photo of the joint.
After that, we went to the Annie Riggs historical museum. This is a really nice little museum, with a LOT of stories, and a very nice lady curator. You are able to wander around the house it’s in, and check out LOTS of antiques and historical things. Her story is very interesting. Here are a few photos of the museum. You can probably see some SNOW falling out the windows in some of the photos. *Mom – Please notice the antique coffee grinders in the third photo. One is just like yours, only I think yours is nicer!*
Here’s an antiquated CrockPot (NOT a port-a-potty):
We visited the actual Fort Stockton. It’s only a partial fort, but it has a fairly interesting history on the frontier. It was built before the Civil War. Here are some photos of that, too. They are not great, due to the lack of good lighting outside. First is the inside of the enlisted men’s barracks, then the outside of them, and then the outsides of the officers’ quarters.
Then, there was the guardhouse, which was one of the only four ‘original’ buildings. The rest are reproductions. The guardhouse was pretty cool!
Rich and I are having a good time, despite the crappy weather. Tonight, we’re enjoying some Lone Star beer (which happened to be the cheapest beer in the store). We are excited for nice weather tomorrow, though!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
As always, I’m VERY interested in anything related to history so the pictures of the fort were really cool. Sorry to hear you had to eat at a crappy restaurant, Milt’s opens up tomorrow and I’m thinking of seeing if I could get some lunch there tomorrow. Love and miss you guys!
Sorry to hear your eating experience was less than favorable.. hope you have a clear beautiful day tomorrow.. the pics are awesome !
Rainy days necessarily include indoor exhibits; that’s how we’ve gotten to see many interesting museums we wouldn’t have thought about touring on a sunny day. We’re hoping for great weather for your explorations today.
I enjoy looking at your pictures. That Crock Pot looks interesting. Be careful on your journey. On the news they showed a lot of flooding in Texas.
Yep, a close examination of the weather map confirms that a severe rainstorm passed the exact place in Texas where you are. Looks like you made the best of it……never been to Ft Stockton……I have a bunch of books on U S Forts of the West…..there was a string of ‘em in the 19th century from San Antonio to California to protect travelers from the hazards of travel along the border.
Then, a close examination of the map of the area reveals that just a few miles East of Carlsbad N M and a few miles North of Ft Stockton is the interesting village of Eunice N M, home of Yackie Jack Johnson. A short drive could have rewarded you with a memorable visit. Too bad you missed that great photo op…………………Love, Dad
That meal at Mi Casita should have been easy to take after that strange morsel you took in the first day. Was checking out my trusy Texas map and see that when you were in Fort Stockton you were actually in the Pecos (paycos). Always wanted to say something like The Lone Ranger used to say, “Dirty Dave that scaliwag saddletramp drifter was last seen out there west of the Pecos.” Now I see that you may have run across DD’s trail out there and didn’t even know it. Your pictures sure are great to see as you explore. Looking forward to more.
Chris – Yeah, the restaurant was less than good. Hope you enjoyed Milt’s!
Barge – Thanks! I am so glad it’s nice again! WOO HOO!
Sonja (AKA ‘mom’) – Yeah, they do, and I’m glad to have seen the two museums.
Aunt Marcy – I am so happy that you’ve been visiting! The ancient crock pot was interesting to me, too.
Dad – Yep! The fort was great! Oh, and DEAR GOD – No Yacky Jack, PLEASE!
Uncle Doug – Didn’t see Dirty Dave anywhere out there, but after all the rain, he was prolly clean anyway.