After a noteworthy week-long drive from Texas back to West Virginia, here are some of the highlights of the trip and points of interest you can add to your future list!
- I started off the trip with a roughly 3 hour plane ride from DC to San Antonio, TX. Other than malfunctioning AC, it wasn’t too terrible of a flight. My boyfriend thoughtfully booked the notoriously “haunted” Emily Morgan hotel directly across the street from the Alamo just in time for spooky season. No paranormal happenings occurred during our stay, but overall a very nice stay. Everything downtown is in walking distance, from local artists to pubs to donut shops. Voodoo Doughnut has some of the most decadent pastries I’ve ever experienced, with toppings like Captain Crunch, bacon, and pb&j. We decided to have dinner and walk around the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum then watch a local rodeo in Bulverde, TX the first night. It’s also worth taking a stroll downtown the river walk to enjoy a margarita and a wide selection of Mexican food while viewing ducks, muck performances, and tour boats.
- Next stop in Texas was Big Bend National Park, located about a 5-6 hour drive from San Antonio. We set up camp in Del Rio the night before, as we weren’t prepared for the extreme camping conditions inside the national park. For more information on Big Bends rules, visit their website well in advance before reserving a spot. Not a terrible loss on our end though, as we found a small campground for $10 a night with an incredible view of the Amistad Reservoir.
- After Big Bend, we made a short drive to Alpine, TX and stayed in the historic Holland Hotel. Alpine is a very small and art-centered town in the western part of Texas. There are lots of opportunities to snag a photo with a mural or one of the old-timey buildings. Art enthusiasts would also enjoy Cadillac Ranch (6 hours north) in Amarillo, which was our last stop in the state.
- The Great Plains of Oklahoma were our next adventure in our roadtrip. The Wichita Mountains National Refuge was one of the most breathtaking views in my eyes. Free range long horn cattle and bison, prairie dogs, and mountain overlooks make for spectacular experience. It is highly recommended to stop by the Old Plantation Restaurant in Medicine Park nearby the park.
- After a relaxing night in London Arkansas on Lake Dardanelle, we made our way to the almighty Bass Pro Pyramid in Memphis, TN. We would have loved to spend more time in Tennessee in the fall, but we were pushing to make our way back home. I’m envisioning a trip to Nashville or Gatlinburg soon??
- Admiring the colorful hold of Kentucky for a few hours, we finally entered back into our home state of West Virginia. Our first stop was at a quaint little hot dog restaurant in Lesage, just outside Charleston. Hillbilly Hot Dogs has anything you can imagine as a topping to your weenie, as well as TONS of trash-to-treasure collections on the property.
- We decided to skip the Morgantown route and make our way back to the eastern panhandle through the towns of Thomas and Davis near the site of Blackwater Falls. If you’re passing through at the right time of the night, you may catch a local artist performing at the Purple Fiddle. Parsons is close to my heart as the host of Camp Horsehoe, an old place of volunteer employment for me.
My advice to those traveling by car for several days or weeks at a time: pack lighter than you normally would, always stop for ice, and rotate camping and hotels (your back will thank you). Bring cash, but know that a lot of areas, especially national parks, are turning towards credit/debit card use only. Have several playlists, audio books, or podcast episodes ready and enjoy! As always, subscribe to this blog for updates or find me on social media to follow along on my adventures. Safe travels!
Staycation 
Leave a comment