BIG BEND COUNTRY: ALPINE TEXAS

ALPINE TEXAS

Alpine, Texas Before Alaska became a state Alpine was the largest city in the largest country in the largest state in America.

Alpine started being populated in 1882 when railroad builders pitched their tents while working on the transcontinental railroad that passes through Alpine. Alpine grew slowly until 1921, when Sul Ross State Normal College (now Sul Ross State University) opened, causing a big population increase. Alpine's current population, at last count, is 5,786.

With the opening of Big Bend National Park in 1944, Alpine soon found itself a tourist attraction.

At an altitude of 4,485, Alpine is surrounded by over 700 miles of scenic roads passing over surrounding ranges and the colorful Chihuahuan Desert.

Kokernot Field in Alpine, Texas, home of the Alpine Cowboys and Sul Ross State University Lobos In 1947 a legendary Alpine rancher named Herbert Kokernot turned his baseball dream into reality with the building of Kokernot Field where the minor league Alpine Cowboys played from 1947 til 1958. Currently Kokernot Field is the home field for the Sul Ross State University Lobos.

The Museum of the Big Bend is on the campus of Sul Ross State University. The museum's collections showcase the cultures of the Big Bend Region, Native American, Spanish, Mexican and American. Near the museum entrance you'll find the Chihuahuan Desert Cactus Garden.

The Apache Trading Post can supply you with books and Big Bend Country Maps. You'll find a collection of Alpine area gems, minerals and agates at the Last Frontier Museum, located in the lobby of the Antelope Lodge.

If you want to go Agate hunting head south of Alpine on Highway 118 for 18 miles to Woodward Ranch, home of the famed Red Plume Agate, along with over 60 other types of agates and gemstones, like opal, feldspar, jasper, calcite and labradite. On the 3,000 acre Woodward Ranch you will also find scenic drives, hiking trails, bird watching and stargazing under the extremely clear sky. But, the main attraction is the agates.

There are over 500 motel rooms in Alpine, plus 4 full hook-up RV parks. Amtrak comes through Alpine 3 times a week.

WHERE TO STAY IN ALPINE

If rustic casual is what you're looking for try the Antelope Lodge, built in the late 1940s, the lodge retains its un-modern, historic charm. The Highland Inn is located across the street from Sol Ross State University. The Maverick Inn has undergone an extensive renovation and now has all the modern amenities, like Wi-Fi, flat panel TVs, mini-refrigerators, microwaves and Saltillo tile floors. If you want an upscale place to stay, there are the Alpine Guest Lofts. Built in 1912, the historic, ornate Holland Hotel is in downtown Alpine. If a mountain getaway, in a cozy B & B, is what you're looking for, there is the White House Inn. Also in Alpine you will find one of the few chain hotels in far West Texas, a Ramada Inn.

WHERE TO EAT IN ALPINE

In Alpine you will find the Reata Restaurant, famed for its upscale cowboy cuisine. You will find surf and turf and Tex-Mex at Outback Bar & Grill. The Edelweiss Brewery is a German restaurant in the Holland Hotel. La Casita is known for the best Tex-Mex in Alpine. Another good source for Tex-Mex is Alexander's Tex-Mex Grill & Cantina. A good breakfast burrito can be had at Alicia's Burrito Place. A good cinnamon roll can be found at Bread & Breakfast Bakery Cafe. La Trattoria Cafe is an Italian espresso cafe with the Italian dishes, sandwiches, panini and smoothies, in addition to the best coffee in town.

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