presidio

[fartymarty]

The next morning at breakfast we asked our waitress if there was an auto parts store in town that was open today.  No senor, not on Sunday… but if you like I can call my uncle and he will come open it for you.

Good folks in Presidio, TX.

Don

I must admit this story is surely a nice turn around from the original post. Thanks Don. 

[chris]

This thread is great!  I've always wondered about Presidio, as I have only really passed through it maybe 3 or 4 times in my entire life at the most.  It always seems to be the neglected part of the BIBE region, compared to the accolades that Terlingua, Marfa, Fort Davis, Alpine, and Marathon or even Lajitas (okay, maybe negative stuff here) all receive that overshadow the seemingly sleepy Presidio.  Hell, I can honestly say I've spent more time in Shafter than Presidio.  I am planning on making my first real trip to the Bend in a few years next month, with a return through Marfa via 170, so maybe we'll have to stop at El Patio for lunch now!  I guess a planned itinerary is probably in line now 

[RichardM]

Is the little restaurant next to the Three Palms Inn still in business? We ate there back in 97 and the food was pretty good, as I recall.

Presidio also has a Subway sandwich shop, for those looking for a little civilization.

[catz]

I am curious as to what caused Ecampvet to come up with his initial observation?

[Flash]

This thread is great!  I've always wondered about Presidio, as I have only really passed through it maybe 3 or 4 times in my entire life at the most.  It always seems to be the neglected part of the BIBE region, compared to the accolades that Terlingua, Marfa, Fort Davis, Alpine, and Marathon or even Lajitas (okay, maybe negative stuff here) all receive that overshadow the seemingly sleepy Presidio.  Hell, I can honestly say I've spent more time in Shafter than Presidio.  I am planning on making my first real trip to the Bend in a few years next month, with a return through Marfa via 170, so maybe we'll have to stop at El Patio for lunch now!  I guess a planned itinerary is probably in line now 

For more roadtrip exploration, keep on driving 170 past Presidio all the way to Candelaria and back before heading north to Marfa. As you head northward to Marfa, there is also a side trip to Plata, an old railroad watering stop, on the Ranch Road spur heading to the east.

[homerboy2u]

Presidio also has a Subway sandwich shop, for those looking for a little civilization.

  And from Google´s Streetview you can see there is plenty of parking space to enjoy.....No trees,though.

[Flash]

I am curious as to what caused Ecampvet to come up with his initial observation?

He works for the Presidio Chamber of Commerce? 

[Interceptor]

We've been out to Candalaria on FM 170 and briefly considered continuing on the Chispa Road from there.  I think  the road may come out near Valentine.  Has anyone explored that area?
Also, I've wanted to drive on highway 169 to Plata from FM 170 and continue on to the intersection of 67.  Does anyone have a sense of what the condition of that road is?

Thanks!

[skinny]

We've been out to Candalaria on FM 170 and briefly considered continuing on the Chispa Road from there.  I think  the road may come out near Valentine.  Has anyone explored that area?
Also, I've wanted to drive on highway 169 to Plata from FM 170 and continue on to the intersection of 67.  Does anyone have a sense of what the condition of that road is?

Thanks!

I've been up and down Chispa Road numerous times on a motorcycle...
There is a very steep hill about 2 miles from Candelaria that most likely can't be done without  4WD...
It's a lot worse than it appears from this photo...
Lots of loose rock and a deep gulley in the middle from rain run-off



just beyond the bottom of the hill is a flood plain with an abandoned pick-up sunk up to the door handles...
been there for years....
The last 4 or 5 years have had enough summer rain to overflow the river for about 1/2 mile
and there is no alternate way to avoid the water.
Chispa Road ends near Lobo on the north end.

[RichardM]

I am curious as to what caused Ecampvet to come up with his initial observation?

I believe he/she lives out there. If not in Presidio, then close by.

[Hoodoo]

Is the little restaurant next to the Three Palms Inn still in business? We ate there back in 97 and the food was pretty good, as I recall.

I believe it was or is the Oasis Restaurant. I don't recall what I ordered or how good it was, but I also don't remember it being a bad experience.

Guess I will just have to drop by there on my next Fandango. 

Don

[jim2]

you'll make it sound so good i'll have to go visit presidio, before the airstrikes. any places to stay?

[SHANEA]

I've been up and down Chispa Road...

I've seen that rock - had lunch there in a big "parking area" with great views.  We made it about 10-15 miles past the IBW gauging station north of Candelaria.   Road got very narrow.   http://www.lawrencevilleweather.com/wx.php?forecast=riversobs&gauge=CDET2


We turned around.  Not me nor my video below, there was a low water crossing where we turned around at with fresh tracks coming in from Mexico.  Always wondered if that was where Pablo Acosta lost his "watermelon" truck.
 

[Raoul Duke]

Is the little restaurant next to the Three Palms Inn still in business? We ate there back in 97 and the food was pretty good, as I recall.

Not sure if if this is the restaurant you're talking about, but El Patio Restaurant in Presidio is in my top five Mexican restaurants in the state.

My $.02: Presidio is awesome.  No Wal Mart, no McDonalds, no chain stores/restaurants (except Subway as you point out).  Lots of really friendly, laid-back folks simply getting by in one of the most isolated, remote towns in the country.

[SHANEA]

Quite an accomplishment in little ole Presidio.
http://alpinedailyplanet.typepad.com/alpine-daily-planet/2012/02/young-women-from-presidio-rocket-to-nationals-and-then-to-white-house.html