Texas Recipe of the Month

Refried Beans

The best refried beans us lots of lard.  The quick way to  “good refried beans” is to open a can of refried beans and set it aside while heating oil (2 table spoons lard) or bacon drippings in a medium skillet over medium heat and adding one finely chopped onion.  When the onion turns brown at edges - in about four minutes, add the beans while mixing well.    Salt and pepper to taste.  To make “better refried beans” use whole pinto beans you cook, mash with a potato masher, add liquid to make a past that is very “bean lumpy.”  Proceed as with the canned recipe.

Davis Mountains

There are lots of experiences to be enjoyed in the Davis Mountains area:    Having traveled the region as far back as when James Dean was filming Giant in the Marfa, Texas area near Fort Davis.  This is a marvelous area for travel unless one is wanting 6 Flags of Disney World atmosphere.   This is an area for calmness, meditation, nature’s beauty, vast star-studded skies at night, and history. 

Davis Mountain Loop: Fort Davis Scenic Drive
A 74-mile loop through the lush Davis Mountains, the second highest range in Texas. Unlike the rugged Guadalupe Mountains to the northwest and the Chisos and other rough desert ranges of the Big Bend area to the south, the Davis Mountains are rounded and heavily vegetated. Thick grasses and patchy forests of oak, juniper, and pine blanket the slopes. The Guadalupe Mountains are higher, but the Davis Mountains seem more lush, possibly because of greater rainfall and more fertile volcanic soil. Late summer rains turn the mountains and surrounding grasslands a rich green. Special attractions: Fort Davis National Historic Site, Davis Mountains State Park, McDonald Observatory, hiking, camping, views.

The Chihuahuan Desert Center is located on 507-acres, four miles south of Fort Davis on Highway 118. The Center is in a marvelous setting, with views of Mt. Livermore to the north and Blue Mountain to the southwest. "The mission of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is to promote public awareness, appreciation, and concern for the natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert through research and education programs." Known to locals as CDRI, the Center is home to a Visitor's Center, the Leapin' Lizard Gift Shop, an arboretum, and the cactus and succulent greenhouse with over 200 species of Chihuahuan Desert cacti. For those who enjoy hiking, the CDRI offers two, moderately strenuous hikes: the Modesta Canyon Trail, a one-hour hike down a protected canyon to Modesta Canyon Springs, and the Clayton's Overlook hike with spectacular views of the surrounding territory. (432)364-2499. The CDRI is open Monday though Saturday 9 – 5 p.m.

State park:

A focal point for outdoor recreation in the Fort Davis area is 2,700-acre Davis Mountains State Park, four miles north of town on Texas 118. It is certainly among the most scenic parks in Texas, with 1,000 feet of elevation change just within the park boundaries. In addition to well known Indian Lodge Hotel, the park offers a variety of camping, from hookups for recreational vehicles to primitive campsites, several miles of hiking trails, and an interpretive center.  Numerous species of birds can be seen from two viewing stations. Bird checklists are available at Park Headquarters.

Not to be missed is Skyline Drive, a paved road that climbs steeply to two overlooks on the eastern side of the park, visible are several mountain ranges including the Chinati Mountain Range, located 75 miles to the southwest. Access to the Skyline Drive after 10:00pm for stargazing is permitted  with registration and payment of fee at the park office.

The State Park's centerpiece is the pretty canyon formed by Keesey Creek, which often flows during the summer rainy season. It is wooded with Emory oaks, gray oaks, pinion and juniper. Bird life is especially abundant in the park, and a pack of javelina occasionally forages in the underbrush, apparently oblivious to park visitors. Camping and entrance fees vary. Call (432)426-3337 for information. Reservations: (512)-389-8900 (Austin)

Amphitheater Program June-through-August 15 - every Wednesday through Saturday night. Programs based on the natural and cultural resources of the Park call (432) 426-3337 for program starting times and additional information.

Fort Davis National Historic Site

Fort Davis National Historic Site, along Texas Highways 17 - 118 at the foot of Sleeping Lion Mountain and Hospital Canyon, is considered perhaps the best preserved of all the 19th Century frontier forts and one of the best preserved "Buffalo Soldier" forts in the west. The site is well maintained and thoughtfully restored with interpretive and historical displays, an excellent book shop and a museum. Partially restored and fully restored buildings are scattered throughout the 474 acre grounds. Some have period furnishings. Military hobbyists and historians from all over the country visit the Davis Mountains specifically to see the Fort. Three hiking trails climb from the Fort, with two links to the hiking trail at Davis Mountains State Park. Small plaques explain natural features and their value to the Fort when it was active. Self guided tours daily. Admission is $3 per person. Hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm. 
Closed:  Christmas Day- December 25 New Years Day  - January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observed - Third Monday in January - Jan.16,2006 Thanksgiving Day - Last Thursday in November - Nov. 30, 2006 For more info: Please call: (432)-426-3224

McDonald Observatory

When the three white domes of the McDonald Observatory appear on a mountain ridge in the distance, you know Fort Davis can't be far away. The observatory's three largest instruments are the 432" Hobby-Eberly telescope on 6,600-foot Mount Fowlkes, and the 107" Harlan J. Smith and 82" Otto Struve telescopes located on 6,800-foot Mt. Locke. The observatory is located just 17 miles from Fort Davis on Texas Highway 118.

Operated by the University of Texas at Austin, the observatory has several large research telescopes and hosts astronomers from around the world. Self guided tours are possible from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Guided tours of the facility are offered every day at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Solar viewing sessions are conducted twice daily at 11:00 am and 2:00 p.m. before the guided tours.  A telescope equipped with a safe filter and camera provides dramatic views of our sun and its many features.

The observatory's evening Star Parties should not be missed.  Beginning after sunset, the star party  showcases interesting stars, planets, and other astronomical objects with live views through telescopes from 8 to 22 inches in size.  A tour of the stars and constellations is presented by knowledgeable staffers, while equally interesting live presentations take place in the new Visitor Center's multimedia theater. The Star Party is a rare opportunity for the entire family to learn about the heavens from experts under one of the darkest skies in North America. Bring a jacket, since the mountain air cools quickly. The Observatory is closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year¹s Day.

A gift shop in the Visitor Center offers astronomy related merchandise, and the StarDate Cafe offers delicious snacks or full meals. 

Star Parties begin every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at:

From January to End of Standard time (March 11 2007) Twilight Programs will begin at 6pm and Star Parties will begin at 7:30pm.
Beginning of daylight savings time through April Twilight Programs will begin at 7:30pm and Star Parties at 9:00pm.

From May through August Twilight Programs start at 8:00pm and Star Parties begin at 9:30pm

Beginning of Standard Time (November 4th 2007) through December Twilight Programs will begin at 6:00pm and Star Parties at 7:30pm.

Guided Tours daily at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm
Solar Viewing daily at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm

All public programs begin at the McDonald Observatory Visitors Center, just off Texas 118 on Mt. Locke.  For more information please call (432) 426-3640 or Toll Free 1-877-984-7827 or visit their website.
 

There is so much to see, but “what you hear” is equally as beautiful as you listen to the sounds of nature while in the solitude of the Fort Davis region.    Happy traveling.