Dusting Off In West Texas

If you are looking for an escape from the noise of the big city and are 

in need of fresh air, there is a place in West Texas that has your name on it.

It's called Cibolo Creek Ranch and it is true elegance in the rough, majestic yet 

barren landscape of West Texas.  Movie stars have been known to frequent this 

place, including Mick Jagger, Bruce Willis and Larry Hagman to name a few.

  In fact, Julia Roberts had just stayed at our fort prior to our arrival.  Looking 

at the guest book you will be shocked to see how far away the guests

 have traveled to get to Cibolo Creek.

Cibolo Creek consists of three forts built in the 1850's that sit on more than 30,000

acres in the Chinati and Cienega Mountains of the Big Bend in West Texas.   Elevations on 

the ranch range from 3,500 to about 6,000 feet which are great for hiking, horseback riding, 

four-wheel driving, hiking through Indian caves, and bird watching.  And, not only do the deer

 and buffalo play on the range, but you will find elk, quail and turkeys who make

 Cibolo Creek their range of choice.

Mild temperatures and low humidity make it comfortable year round
for outdoor activities or for just relaxing on the veranda or by the pool.

Some additional activities include a cooking workshop, massage at their spa or at your fort,
paddle across a spring-fed reservoir, fish, archery, bat watching and an overnight
cattle drive.  I put the last two as my least favorite on my "to do" list,  but there
is something for all types of folks.

There are three forts on the property. The main compound, called
 El Cibolo,  offers 11 rooms along with a long, narrow gallery
where elegant dinners are presented.  Three meals a day are provided
with the cost of your room.  There is also the main pool, spa and
 reservoir all located at the main compound.  Apres-dinner is enjoyed
 by a roaring fire accompanied by some good ol' Texas tunes
while you gaze at 3 million stars in the sky.  After all,
 you are not that far away from the McDonald Observatory.
 La Moritais a private 1-bedroom cottage and the most
isolated of the three forts.

Cibolo Creek is equal parts working ranch with Texas Longhorn
grazing about, wildlife preserve, historical landmark and luxury resort.

We stayed in the second largest fort, La Cienega, and it has four
rooms, a main dining room and its own pool.  Once we were there we
never saw the main compound until we left.  We were treated to a
chef and spa treatments at our fort so why leave?  The staff at
Cibolo Creek will arrange a schedule for you whether you want
a full day of activity, some activity or a full day of relaxation.  

We dined on gourmet meals prepared by a chef within the dining
room's 140-year old adobe walls.  The cuisine is a cross-cultural offering
 flavors of Ancient Mexico, Asia and Tex-Mex focusing on organically
 grown local ingredients.  The result is fantastic!  During the day we lounged
by the pool, cracked open a few cervezas and rested in hammocks under shade
trees until we were summoned for yet another meal.  

Life was so good here, it was hard to get back on that saddle and head back to the big city.
For more information go to www.cibolocreekranch.com

If you are "lucky" enough to drive to Cibolo Creek,  just when you think you
can't handle anymore barren land you come across Marathon, Texas.  It's an oasis
of a town that is the proud owner of  the historic Gage Hotel.
 Built in 1927, it originally was the headquarters for Alfred Gage who
owned 500,000 acres in the area.  It is an outpost of adobe elegance in the
West Texas outback and a great place to hang your boots for the evening.
We were lucky enough to stretch our legs and call this place home
for one night on our way to Cibolo Creek Ranch.

Within the hotel is the 12 Gage Restaurant that serves some of the
best grilled buffalo rib-eye, tomatillo shrimp and quail you have ever tasted.
Wander next door to Shirley's Burnt Biscuit for a fried pie you will soon
not forget.  And, then get up in the morning for some more breakfast
fixings at Shirley's that will set you right for the day.

For more information go to www.gagehotel.com

WISHING YOU DREAMS AS  BIG AS THE STATE OF TEXAS!
TRAVEL M GIRL