We left Big Bend NP this morning, destination, Cattleman's Steak House, in Fabens, TX. This is the original impetus for this trip. On the way we went through the Big Bend Ranch State Park, which included Terlingas, home of the International Chili Cook-off. Just outside of the present town is the Terlingas Ghost Town...very interesting. Only the pictures can describe it. Adobe and rock ruins dotted the hillside. Some had been built upon. A very historical and unique cemetery, a state historical landmark. There appear to be some characters in Terlingas; take note of the homestead named "Passing Wind". We loved a saloon sign that said, "Beer, mixed drinks, and fun welcome!" We continued to Lahitas, a beautiful border town with the Rio Grande running along the border. We stopped in Contrabando, which is on the Rio Grande and was basically a movie set for several Westerns, including "Streets of
Laredo." We left the rock formations and headed toward the plains. Our lunch stop was at Presidio and we were the only gringos...Tex-mex was authentic and delicious! We will miss the Mexican food...not to be found like this in our part of the country. Along the way we saw a pecan farm that had to have been several miles long! We are still fitting in the Lexus and noticed we are getting over 28MPG...no hills or stop and go! Larry said that cruise control is made for the west...he is beginning to think Texas might be bigger than Alaska.
We made it to Cattleman's ...it is quite an experience...almost a Western theme park! I was most impressed with the life-sized Remington bronze sculpture of a "Busting Bronco". The owner had many bronze sculptures by Remington and other artists. The steaks? Well...I think we agree that they were good but my opinion is that Larry does the best steaks from our own Tybee Market! We did, however, have the hottest jalapeños we have ever had! They were roasted with onions and soy sauce. Larry said on a scale of 1 to 10, the onions were a 4, but the jalapeños were a 14! They were hot, even after removing the seeds!