We are so excited to announce our 3rd Annual Fort Davis/Balmorreah trip!! Get ready for a fun-filled, educational, 3-day excursion with your village June 13-15th!
THURSDAY JUNE 13th:
1:30pm (SOLD OUT)
McDonald Observatory Guided Tour
First on the agenda is a Guided Tour of McDonald Observatory. It includes entrance to the exhibit within the Visitor Center, where we will begin our tour with a brief introduction. The group then heads up to Mount Locke to learn about the history of the observatory and visit the 107" Harlan J. Smith telescope. Visitors may drive or ride the observatory shuttle. The tour continues to the summit of Mt. Fowlkes and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). At the HET, you'll learn more about that telescopes unique design and the current research done here. The guided tour typically runs 1.5 - 2 hours.
Gumslingers Old Fashioned Candy Shop: 5:30pm (SOLD OUT)
After the observatory tour we will be having lunch in the restaurant of our choice in Alpine Texas! After lunch, we will be visiting Gumslingers Old Fashioned Candy Shop. The owner will be giving the kids a science lesson on the making of cotton candy and then the kids will be making their own! It costs about $5 per cotton candy, plus whatever other delicious goodies you purchase. Her brownies are amazing! She will also be selling root beer floats, pickles, cookie dough, and other old fashioned candy. Please register to make sure we can give the store an accurate headcount. The owner said they need to prepare beforehand for a group our size.
McDonald Observatory Star Party
9:30pm
We will conclude our fun filled day by enjoying the night sky constellations in the Helen S. Martin Star Amphitheater and views of celestial objects through a number of telescopes in the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park behind the Visitors Center. Star Parties are approximately two hours in length and are fun for the entire family.
Gift Shop Access During the Star Party: The Visitors Center, exhibit hall, gift shop, and restrooms remain open throughout the Star Party. Evening programs take place mostly outdoors.
*The Observatory reserves the right to ask visitors to leave the program venue if their behavior becomes disruptive. Programs may be cancelled at any time due to weather or public health concerns.
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FRIDAY JUNE 14th:
10:00am (SOLD OUT)
Balmorhea State Park
We are meeting at 10 am on Friday, June 14th, at Balmorhea State Park to swim in the beautiful, crystal clear, natural pool. Don't forget to bring pool floats to lounge in the pool, your swimming goggles to see the fish you will be swimming with (two endangered species, the Commanche Springs Pupfish, and the Pecos Gambusia), a life vest (if needed), and to pack your own picnic lunch! There is a large shallow area that's only 3 deep feet, but to truly snorkel it is highly recommended that you venture into the 20 foot deep area. The views of the coral and wildlife are amazing! Truly an oasis in the desert.
Salvadorian Food Truck Experience
6:00pm (SOLD OUT)
Food always tastes better after a day of swimming! So Friday night at 6pm we will be having dinner together again, this time with an educational twist! We're so excited to experience a true Salvadorian experience in Fort Davis! A local food truck has graciously offered to host us, give us a short lesson about El Salvador, and then we will dining on a traditional Salvadorian meal!
The menu will include:
Empanadas de carne molida
Empanada de Papa
Pupusas Revueltas (carnitas de puerco, frijoles y queso)
Pedazos de Yucca Frita
Corn in Cup with a Salvadorian twist!
Lemonade or Salvadorian Horchata
SATURDAY JUNE 15th:
9:00AM (SOLD OUT)
FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
We will be starting our last day at 9am with a trip back in time at the Fort Davis National Historic Site! There we will split into two groups. You will have a choice of doing a Ranger led scavenger hunt, or the Junior Ranger Program, and we will be watching an introductory movie. For lunch we recommend RNR Smokehouse, Blue Mountain Bar & Grill, or STONE VILLAGE MARKET.
CHIHUAUA BOTANICAL GARDENS & NATURE CENTER
2:00pm (SOLD OUT)
We will finishing our trip by doing a self-guided hike to either Modesta Canyon or Claytons Overlook. We will also tour the Botanical Gardens, the Bird Blind, Cactus Museum, and the Mining Exhibit.
