From Corpus Christi we made our way northwest through Uvalde (which had the horrific school shooting in 2022) and up to Marathon for one quick night before heading into Big Bend National Park. We didn’t know much about Marathon other than that it was a convenient location for our park visit, but once we got there we were in for a treat. It’s a teeny, little town with an amazing historic hotel (The Gage) and an unbelievably quaint and well stocked grocery store…The French Grocer. After finding a few treasures there, the gal told us not to miss the Fish Fry that night at the Community Center, an annual extravaganza raising money for the library, and police/fire departments. Fish fry, auction, dance….everyone in town would be there! We had already scheduled a Dark Sky watching so unfortunately couldn’t make the auction/dance but donated to the cause! Then we popped in for a cocktail at the White Buffalo Bar in the Gage and met some delightful artists who were in town for an art gallery opening. The White Buffalo was legit….authentic western decor, delish margaritas and one of Tim’s favorite Old Fashioned cocktails made with Garrison Brothers Bourbon. !!!!
The Marathon RV Park and Motel also hosts Dark Sky Nights so we just had to walk a few yards from ZsaZsa to meet this very enthusiastic astronomer with a Newtonian telescope, high powered laser and high end binocular. This area of TX has one of the darkest skies in the world and we were here when many of the planets were lined up for easy viewing! There were about ten of us at the event, and Bill set up the instruments to view Jupiter and its four moons, the Seven Sisters, Venus, Orion, Gemini, both Dippers and Cassiopeia. He was into it and although I couldn’t comprehend half of what he was explaining it was a very cool night.
