Sanderson to Get Hiking Trail....

[SHANEA]

Hiking trail nears reality

A hiking trail linking Hominy and Javelina Hills in north and west Sanderson took a step closer to reality Monday.
Engineer Tom Schlegel of the Odessa firm of Landgraf Crutcher & Associates attended the Commissioners Court meeting because of the awarding of a contract to Kraftsman Playground and Park Equipment of Spring to provide a “Playscape” in Bicentennial Park. (Story on Page 4.)
After the meeting, Schlegel and County Commissioner Kenn Norris led a small group of interested citizens on a tour of the proposed new trail.
Schlegel brought a global positioning satellite receiver and some spray paint with him to mark the trail and said he would then send in a team of surveyors to pin down the exact routing.
He said he would prepare bid specifications and the next step in the process would be the awarding of a bid and the start of work.
The trail was envisioned as part of a group of community projects first envisioned by the Community Development Association.
A $186,000 matching grant from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife would partially fund the hiking trail and other improvements.
The citizens of Terrell County approved a half-cent venue tax in 2000 that also contributes to the projects.
The hiking trail would begin near Bicentennial Park on the east, wind through Hominy and Javelina Hills around the Sanderson High School football and track fields and end at a spot near Highway 90 and Wilson Streets at the base of Javelina Hill.
It would include a scenic overlook somewhere near the top of Javelina Hill and, perhaps, a bat house.
Schlegel said there were reports of a bat cave near the routing for the trail but none had been found.
There are bats in the area, however, and Norris said it is important to “encourage” the animals that can “eat their weight in mosquitoes and other critters.”
The trail will remain fairly rugged, preserving the natural aspect of the landscape.
“We could build nice, smooth, wide trails but you don’t want to pay what it would cost,” Schlegel said. “We are not going to bulldoze the mountain. What we are doing will not be intrusive to the land.”
Schlegel said efforts will be made to have a part of the trail compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act but, contrary to earlier reports, there are no specific guidelines on how much of the trail needs to be ADA compliant.
He said the plans will be submitted to P&W for approval and every effort will be made to make some of the trail accessible to the disabled.

This link won't be valid for long as the story does not have an individual URL http://www.sandersontx.info/index.html

Heck, I bet you didn't even know Sanderson had a newspaper!

[BigBendHiker]

We always stop to eat in Sanderson on our return.  There is a great restaurant on the left side of Hwy 90 as you are heading to Del Rio called the No Name Restaurant.  It has excellent food!  Has a pencil/charcoal drawing on the wall in the back dining room that depicts Sanderson at the turn of the century when it was a big railroad town (had a roundhouse and all).

[SHANEA]

When I lived in Houston, I'd usually taken the Hwy90 route through Sanderson.  Never stopped to eat there.   Usually stopped for gas at the Shamrock station - there typically was a cute girl working there.  Hwy 90 was always more stimulating than good ole I-10 or now 190.  But, Houston, San Antonio, and Hwy 90 are 3+ hours out of my way on an already long traverse.  If you have never taken Hwy 90, you are missing neat stuff.  The Pecos River bridge always makes a good photo stop, Lake Amstead is pretty cool and blue, is it still as low as it was?, and we even stopped in Bracketville once to go to the "fake' Alamo.  I liked the "fake Alamo", I think everyone else in my group probably thought it was a waste of time and money.  Heck, I like stopping at Judge Roy Beans Travel center too.  If you let me drive and I'm not in a horrible rush, I'm more than likely to stop at some of the tourist stops along the way.  I keep meaning to stop at the Ally Oop park in Irann.   Now, I'm not too fond of traveling through Del Rio, I'm always afraid on the trip back that I'll miss the 90 degree turn and end up in Ole Mexico - they would have a field day searching my sht.  Always trips me out that you have to cross through a check-point Charlie DHS Border Patrol station on the West side of Del Rio when going into the Big Bend country.   Has anyone ever had any "problems" getting through a Check Point Charlie or been searched, etc.?   Speaking of Del Rio, there is a cool gas station on the West side of Del Rio at some kind of a Y split near Amstead - has fish looking mail boxes.  In you are ever in Del Rio, the Whataburger is Outstanding!  Yea, I know I'm rambling but I'm a rambling kinda guy.

[randell]

Here is the bridge:


I once had my car searched by the border patrol.  We were coming back from Big Bend and had two cars with walkee-talkees in them.  We were talking up a storm coming up to the station and someone made a crack about the border patrol.  I realized they could hear our conversation and ordered radio silence.  Too late.  I am guessing they heard us (or we just happened to be picked) because they had us park and get out to have our vehicles searched.  It was only about a 10 minute deal and nothing came of it.

Acuna is a blast if you ever go.  I used to live in Uvalde and we would drive to Acuna for a night on the town a lot.  Nothing beats dollar beers and two dollar shots.  Just don't get in trouble.   Heard some horror stories about guys getting thrown in jail there.  The guys and GALS from the air force base hang out in Acuna too.  That's a fun crowd.

[randell]

Seminole Canyon State Historic Park is a very nice place to camp if you take the Hwy 90 route.  

[BigBendHiker]

Yep, the Hwy 90 route is great.  We always break up our trip to Big Bend into two segments.  We stay one night in Del Rio and head over to Acuna to visit the shops and restaurants.  Highly recommend Manuel's, Crosby's and Landos.  They all have great food and service.  Amistad water level has come up (higher than it was back in 2003).  But, still down a bit as best I can tell.

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

Has anyone ever had any "problems" getting through a Check Point Charlie or been searched, etc.?

Once. They asked me "...my country of origin". My reply? "Los Estados Unidos". As a reward for my wit, they searched my vehicle and all of my possessions.

[dave2]

About problems at the check points, let me add that they can DO WHATEVER THEY WANT to you and your car or truck.  I've had them run the dog over my gear and also use some sort of machine that searches for hollowed out compartments.  Usually, though, it's just a question or two: are you US citizens? did you travel into Mexico? etc.  I have found after dealing with these folks off and on for many years that the best approach is to be straight forward, answer the questions in a flat tone, and avoid joking about ANYTHING that might set off their radar.  These officers have a tough gig and the wise thing to do is keep things simple and fully comply with their requests.

[Casa Grande]

no problemas!  thank god!  :lol: