A CannonRide Around the Bend (Big Bend Region) - Page 2

scarysharkface · 03-05-2012, 11:54 AM

eric_the_bald · 03-05-2012, 12:28 PM

This is on my to-do list.
I'm afraid I lost out this year to a messed up ankle. How late in the spring can you really ride there?

bigdon · 03-05-2012, 12:30 PM

It starts getting HOT about April 1!

rboett · 03-05-2012, 12:53 PM

Questor · 03-05-2012, 12:59 PM

YES!
Another Cannonshot Ride Report.

Big Bend is a place I have always wanted to visit, but never got all the way down to.

Ready!

Q~

Daamud · 03-05-2012, 01:17 PM

GhostRiderFC · 03-05-2012, 01:39 PM

Now I'm really regretting missing this on my short trip last month. It looks like I'll get to see all the stuff I missed!

Carry on!

AZ-Twin · 03-05-2012, 02:00 PM

Looking forward to this one Cannon!

LumpyOne · 03-05-2012, 02:12 PM

And I was being so productive at work!

Now I guess I will have to sit on the edge of my seat for the next installment.

Great pics and back story, from the best! Keep it coming and of course SUBSCRIBED!

Tim

Cannonshot · 03-05-2012, 03:37 PM

I looked around Fort Davis a little more before hitting the trail.

This place wasn't open, but the lady cleaning it asked me if I wanted to come in and look around.

Typical historical society type stuff with a lot of interesting gadgets from years gone by. One thing I thought was useful was this water cooler. The water that seeps through the porous rock and evaporates cools the rock cooling the water contained by the rock.

This 1874 building served as a company store and then as the principal store in the area for over 100 years.

The dynamite shack out back was converted into a lovely cottage for an Appeals Court Judge and his wife who loved to visit the area.

The trading company built this hotel in 1912 to support their operations.

This 1910 jail was built to replace the one in the 1880 adobe court house. It was used until 1978 when modern jail standards closed it down.

1884 church. It seems that when I visited some other local towns, the churches were fairly well maintained even though much of the rest of the town was not.

This 1909 structure was the very first automobile garage in west Texas. Pretty nice structure for the time, place, and purpose.

Deer find the browsing better at the old school than on the drought stricken desert.

This 1911 courthouse is pretty nice. This is Jeff Davis County. It is named after Jefferson Davis, former President of the Confederate States of America. Jeff Davis appears to have been very beloved in this area judging from some of the monuments. After he got out of prison (post-Civil War) he visited this area and commiserated with some of his former troops.

During the War of Northern Aggression, Texas was part of the confederacy. The United States Army abandoned Fort Davis and for a while condeferate troops moved in. The rebels took it over to block gold shipments to the union and to maintain access to the pacific coast. During the course of their stay they fought some apaches too. When the confederates left, they buried a couple of cannons that have still not been located.

One thing that impressed me was that this tiny town was proud of their soldiers. I was surprised to see some of the ranks that such a small town produced.

They are also very proud on one of their WWII heroes.

This campground is right in town and was a decent place to stay.

Nice place, reasonable rates. Very convenient. A retired E-9 that did 30 years in the Air Force runs the place. My neighbor thought you had to "work with" him a bit. I told my neighbor that it was probably the 30 years in the service.

Good guy. Speaking of Air Force, those wooden buildings at the campground were relocated here from the Marfa Army Airfield that was put in during WWII to train pilots. I think we dropped somewhere around 80 installations in Texas during the war. Great climate for pilot training.

I think this town is around 5-6,000 feet in altitude. Can be a little cooler in the morning than what you might expect.

Warms up fast with the sun though.

Good thing the CannonVan had a heater.

Ran into this medicine man's operation.

He had several nice posters like this one describing the things he could cure. He could break curses too. Since I was feeling pretty good I took a pass on it and went to find breakfast.

The nicest part of town near the square.

Good meals here.

They even have a soda fountain from years ago.

Critic · 03-05-2012, 03:51 PM

Bryan,

Great detail as always, now for the rest of the story!

Cannonshot · 03-05-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powershouse

Hi Kevin, thanks for tuning in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bash3r

Another epic RR from Cannonshot!

Glad you are along, hope you enjoy it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarysharkface

I know you have visited the area a couple of times and really enjoy it. Hope some fo this rekindles some pleasant memories for you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric_the_bald

This is on my to-do list.
I'm afraid I lost out this year to a messed up ankle. How late in the spring can you really ride there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdon

It starts getting HOT about April 1!

Like Don says, the prime season is probably October through April. The climate charts can be misleading because they don't account for what can be the oppressively hot sun and the temperature on the desert floor. Note that during periods of rain, there are some other hazards to deal with that we'll cover later on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rboett

Thanks for coming along!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Questor

YES!
Another Cannonshot Ride Report.

Big Bend is a place I have always wanted to visit, but never got all the way down to.

Ready!

Q~

Hello Questor my friend! Nice to see you tuned in. Hope you enjoy the report and get a chance to see the place for yourself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daamud

Enough popcorn? Maybe not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostRiderFC

Now I'm really regretting missing this on my short trip last month. It looks like I'll get to see all the stuff I missed!

Carry on!

Hope you get to see it yourself soon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ-Twin

Looking forward to this one Cannon!

Thanks! Enjoy the fun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LumpyOne

And I was being so productive at work!

Now I guess I will have to sit on the edge of my seat for the next installment.

Great pics and back story, from the best! Keep it coming and of course SUBSCRIBED!

Tim

Thanks Tim! Hope you enjoy this one. I think it will take me a little time to get it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critic

Bryan,

Great detail as always, now for the rest of the story!

Hi Mark! Glad to have you along!

bomose · 03-05-2012, 04:19 PM

I'm in. I've got a friend who has a place just outside of Fort Davis. She just retired as a Command Sgt Major. She'll be interested to see what you've written. Thanks. Looking forward to the rest of the report.

Cannonshot · 03-05-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomose

I'm in. I've got a friend who has a place just outside of Fort Davis. She just retired as a Command Sgt Major. She'll be interested to see what you've written. Thanks. Looking forward to the rest of the report.

Tell her to stop in and chat with the retired E-9 that runs the Overland Trail Campground.

Happycamper · 03-05-2012, 04:31 PM

Looking forward to the rest of the report.

03-05-2012, 11:54 AM	#16
scarysharkface 40-128 Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Lakland Oddometer: 12,298	__________________ The road to Hell is paved... Save $5 on a Smugmug subscription when you use my coupon: yBr7OofIPuOP6 KLR takes a circular route to Big Bend '13 http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887449

03-05-2012, 12:28 PM	#17
eric_the_bald Gnome Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Oddometer: 388	In This is on my to-do list. I'm afraid I lost out this year to a messed up ankle. How late in the spring can you really ride there? __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Don't screw around with old folks, They didn't get old by bein' Stupid!

03-05-2012, 12:30 PM	#18
bigdon Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Oddometer: 2,060	It starts getting HOT about April 1! __________________ ADV Relay Rider 08 (The Texas Connection) Ride Pooie Ride Don't stop riding until you get to the crash , you might save it!

03-05-2012, 12:53 PM	#19
rboett posser noob 205 Joined: Nov 2002 Location: nwa Oddometer: 1,619	__________________ That'L do Pig,, That'L do

03-05-2012, 12:59 PM	#20
Questor More Undestructable Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Idaho Falls. ID. USA Oddometer: 3,548	YES! Another Cannonshot Ride Report. Big Bend is a place I have always wanted to visit, but never got all the way down to. Ready! Q~ __________________ Ride Reports: National Parks Tour 2008 Trans-America Trail 2009 Continental Divide Trail 2009 Alaska 2010 Empty West 2011

03-05-2012, 01:17 PM	#21
Daamud AAAAAYYY! Joined: Aug 2007 Location: In the 715, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Oddometer: 1,621	__________________ WARNING: Most things posted above contain sarcasm.

03-05-2012, 01:39 PM	#22
GhostRiderFC Just a guy who rides Joined: Jan 2010 Location: New Mexico, USA Oddometer: 209	Ugh! Now I'm really regretting missing this on my short trip last month. It looks like I'll get to see all the stuff I missed! Carry on! __________________ "Be Safe Out There." IBA #: 48128 My First Ride Report - Summer 2012 My Spotwalla

03-05-2012, 02:00 PM	#23
AZ-Twin Dusty and Thirsty Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Oddometer: 1,302	Looking forward to this one Cannon! __________________ Rob Swartzwelder, Southern AZ I'm not real fast, but I do have a dog named Dakar! 97 M900, 07 G650 XChallenge,11 KTM 990 ADV R 2011 North up the CDR Sierra Vista AZ to Paonia CO and Back through Moab UT

03-05-2012, 02:12 PM	#24
LumpyOne Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2009 Location: WestSconnie Oddometer: 140	Darn It! And I was being so productive at work! Now I guess I will have to sit on the edge of my seat for the next installment. Great pics and back story, from the best! Keep it coming and of course SUBSCRIBED! Tim

03-05-2012, 03:37 PM	#25
Cannonshot ^OP Having a Nice Time Joined: Jul 2005 Location: SE Wisconsin Oddometer: 14,012	A little more in Fort Davis. I looked around Fort Davis a little more before hitting the trail. This place wasn't open, but the lady cleaning it asked me if I wanted to come in and look around. Typical historical society type stuff with a lot of interesting gadgets from years gone by. One thing I thought was useful was this water cooler. The water that seeps through the porous rock and evaporates cools the rock cooling the water contained by the rock. This 1874 building served as a company store and then as the principal store in the area for over 100 years. The dynamite shack out back was converted into a lovely cottage for an Appeals Court Judge and his wife who loved to visit the area. The trading company built this hotel in 1912 to support their operations. This 1910 jail was built to replace the one in the 1880 adobe court house. It was used until 1978 when modern jail standards closed it down. 1884 church. It seems that when I visited some other local towns, the churches were fairly well maintained even though much of the rest of the town was not. This 1909 structure was the very first automobile garage in west Texas. Pretty nice structure for the time, place, and purpose. Deer find the browsing better at the old school than on the drought stricken desert. This 1911 courthouse is pretty nice. This is Jeff Davis County. It is named after Jefferson Davis, former President of the Confederate States of America. Jeff Davis appears to have been very beloved in this area judging from some of the monuments. After he got out of prison (post-Civil War) he visited this area and commiserated with some of his former troops. During the War of Northern Aggression, Texas was part of the confederacy. The United States Army abandoned Fort Davis and for a while condeferate troops moved in. The rebels took it over to block gold shipments to the union and to maintain access to the pacific coast. During the course of their stay they fought some apaches too. When the confederates left, they buried a couple of cannons that have still not been located. One thing that impressed me was that this tiny town was proud of their soldiers. I was surprised to see some of the ranks that such a small town produced. They are also very proud on one of their WWII heroes. This campground is right in town and was a decent place to stay. Nice place, reasonable rates. Very convenient. A retired E-9 that did 30 years in the Air Force runs the place. My neighbor thought you had to "work with" him a bit. I told my neighbor that it was probably the 30 years in the service. Good guy. Speaking of Air Force, those wooden buildings at the campground were relocated here from the Marfa Army Airfield that was put in during WWII to train pilots. I think we dropped somewhere around 80 installations in Texas during the war. Great climate for pilot training. I think this town is around 5-6,000 feet in altitude. Can be a little cooler in the morning than what you might expect. Warms up fast with the sun though. Good thing the CannonVan had a heater. Ran into this medicine man's operation. He had several nice posters like this one describing the things he could cure. He could break curses too. Since I was feeling pretty good I took a pass on it and went to find breakfast. The nicest part of town near the square. Good meals here. They even have a soda fountain from years ago. __________________ Cannonshot.net Cannonshot screwed with this post 03-05-2012 at 04:27 PM

03-05-2012, 03:51 PM	#26
Critic More or less! Joined: Sep 2005 Location: West of the Illinois, heart of the state! Oddometer: 1,116	Bryan, Great detail as always, now for the rest of the story! __________________ It is always something! Rosann Rosanadana! Moto's: 300xcw,690e,990adv past:BigBear250,T100cs,Savage250s,TS185,DT175,GT550,TY250,XR200/350/250,R75/7,Ft500,RD350,YZ125,KDX175,SP500,K1000rs,DR250,883,S1,ST2,KLX650,KE100,GS1000,Monster,Vstr om1000&650,950adv,625sxc,250SSherpa,530exc

03-05-2012, 04:19 PM	#28
bomose Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Hoover,Al Oddometer: 595	I'm in. I've got a friend who has a place just outside of Fort Davis. She just retired as a Command Sgt Major. She'll be interested to see what you've written. Thanks. Looking forward to the rest of the report. __________________ I prefer a short life with width to a narrow one with length-Avicenna http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=810149 Ouray Adv http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=800723 Cortez & Moab Didn't Global Warming start at the end of the last Ice Age?

03-05-2012, 04:31 PM	#30
Happycamper Have bikes, will travel Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Peoples Republic of Cambridge MA Oddometer: 532	In Looking forward to the rest of the report. __________________ Happycamper 2007 G650 Xchallenge 2009 F800GS

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