16th Annual Texas Power Wagon Reunion
Our 16th Reunion was great as always, but also held some very nice surprises.
No story of the Old West would be complete without a land dispute. In our story, the land owner for the original Reunion site increased the land use fees at the last minute and the increase was too much. Fortunately we did not have a herd of cattle that needed to get to water, but we did have folks following many trails across Texas on their way to Alpine.
Then, in the best of old western movie traditions, the Reunion was saved. Our hero did not ride a white horse and come up with six-guns ablazing. In fact, he was driving a very tired old Power Wagon.
Tommy Vaughn is a real cowboy who has worked at several of the ranches in the area. He knows a lot of folks and a lot of folks know him. I guess he knows every stream, every draw, and every mountain for miles around. He knew every nice camping spot and all the great trails. But most important to us, he knew the folks who owned the ranches that had the nice camping spots and great trails. Tommy helped "Mac" make the arrangements and the day was saved.
Thanks, Tommy, for all your help.
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One of the nicest things about our Power Wagon events here in Texas is that we do them in the same, casual, laid-back style that most of us enjoy as we live our daily lives. We tell folks when and where. They come. Everyone does their part to make these events enjoyable.
May 1st through May 4th, 2008
Alpine, Texas
Experience the real west.
Ride the trails on a working cattle ranch in the real West.
Here's where the deer and the antelope play.
From the mountains...
To the prairies...
When you are here, you are truly in the old West.
Scenic West Texas
If you wanted to tell an out-of-state tourist how to find some of the most scenic areas and best historical sites that represent the old days of Texas back in the 19th century, all you would have to do is draw a line on the Texas map along US 281 from Mineral Wells north of I-20 down to Pleasanton just south of San Antonio and tell them to go anywhere west of that line.
Between US 281 and the Rio del Norte (Rio Grande River) you will find some of the most beautiful state and national parks and most significant historical sites anywhere. There are many places that have become the homes of legends.
Alpine Area
Alpine is at the heart of West Texas. Twenty miles to the east is Marfa, famous for those mysterious lights, and even more special as the location for the classic western movie "Giant," with Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, Dennis Hopper and James Dean. Twenty miles to the north is the Fort Davis National Historic Site. It’s one of the best preserved and restored 19th Century Army Posts in the country. Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry and 24th and 25th U.S. Infantry were garrisoned there while involved in struggles with Apaches and Comanches. Another well known attraction is the McDonald Observatory 17 miles north of Fort Davis. Head 100 miles south and you will be at the Big Bend National Park.
The Reunion Site
This area map shows the way to Alpine. If you are coming from the west you will probably find it better to take US 90 south east from Van Horn. Texas 118 south from Kent is very scenic (a great road for touring motorcycles and sport cars).
UPDATED SITE LOCATION
Due to a last minute scheduling conflict, the Reunion will be held on a Ranch that is located right on the edge of Alpine. Go to the end of Cactus Street and you will be at the ranch gate. The gate has a pair of stone columns.
Cactus Street is in the southwest part of Alpine. Click on either Google link below (motels or rv parks) for a map. Then zoom in and drag the map up and right. Cactus Street is very visible.
Accommodations
At the Reunion Site
UPDATED: There is primitive camping, with a water spigot. No other facilities are available. Plan to share all other requirements. Sharing will be important. We will have to be self-sufficient.
Alpine Area (includes some in Marfa and Fort Davis)
Alpine Chamber of Commerce listings: http://www.alpinetexas.com/accommodations.html
Hotel Locations:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=Hotel&near=Alpine,+TX&fb=1&view=map&cd=2&z=13&om=1
RV Park / Campground Locations:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&view=map&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Campground&near=Alpine,+TX&ie=UTF8&z=9&om=1
Reunion Activities
The Annual Texas Power Wagon Reunion is so named because we value the friends whom we have met that share our interest in these great trucks - and those friends we haven't met yet. As always, the Reunion of friends is more important than simply rallying some trucks.
This Reunion is the farthest west of any we have had. We really want to see our Power Wagon friends. So we say to all those whose trucks are not finished or who may not have a good means to bring their trucks to the Reunion, "Y'all come - with or without your trucks - and share rides in the trucks that are there." We'll talk some, then ride some, then talk some, then eat some, then ride some, and then talk some more.
Because we will be on a working ranch, we will be doing more driving along and looking at the scenery than we will be doing any extreme driving that would tear it up. After all, cattle eat grass and tires do not make the grass grow. We are still scouting out the riding areas and will be sure to have some trails that everyone can enjoy. And we are always looking for some spots with a higher degree of challenge.
Start making your plans and give us some feedback to help us make this event even better.
If you have questions please call Mark McElyea at 817-937-6580.
For additional information and local directions at Alpine, call Lloyd Bluntzer at 361-877-7992.
You may also e-mail Paul Cook txpwrwgn@wildblue.net or call 512-932-2377 with any questions. Friday, May 2, after 1:00 PM, you may be able to reach Paul at 254-290-2066. He will be on the road.
Let us know if you are planning to attend.
Mark is working out details for some on site meals and you can be sure there will be some good eats. We'll keep you up to date on those plans here. To be sure the plans are adequate, he will need to know how many will be there.
Paul Cook will maintain the list of those who are coming. Send an e-mail or call with your name and the number in your party. (You can leave a message on the answering machine.)
A quick note: Mark has had questions about bringing motorcycles or ATV's. Cattle are used to seeing trucks but there's some concern that they might be "spooked" by ATV's or motorcycles. We regret that they cannot be allowed. Land for enjoying our great trucks is becoming scarce. We must consider the landowners and do everything we can so that we will be welcome to come back.