And the Road Goes on Forever! Literally out here there is not a lot of anything between towns…read moreincluding people and cars. So when you come up on Alpine and feel what seems to be back in civilization,it can feel disappointing. Only from the standpoint of more people and some traffic. However. Alpine is quickly redeemed when you realize there are interesting things to explore and do. Walking into a small shop I unexpectedly ran into a well-known artist that was down to earth, welcoming and a breath of fresh air. When hunger struck again, family owned and operated long lived cafe served me up some great food alongside the Sheriff, Border Patrol, prominent area rancher, and construction guys. Really. I havent been in a place like this in decades. The food was knock your socks off good and one of those places the cook brings your food to the table occasionally, as he did my killer hamburger. When I commented on how great it looked he just looked at the burger with a slight smile and nodded. Like you have no idea. Im sold on Alpine and its one of those places you say to yourself,"I could live there". if driving thru stop and check it out. Worth it times 10

Ah, The Gateway to Big Bend! We pass through Alpine every couple of years when heading to Marfa…read more We don't just pass through, we actually stop and spend time shopping at antique stores and grabbing a bite to eat. This high-desert town is home to Sul Ross State University. Like many West Texas desert towns, Alpine was once a railroad hub. Now, the streets are lined with boutiques, vintage shops, galleries, restaurants, and museums. The Museum of the Big Bend is located here. Great little town.

The good part is that it is close to where J live which is only a 5-minute drive (30 minute walk)…read morefrom my home! The bad part about this place is that there is no one working behind the counter to serve the customers! Sad, that many Amtrak stations are short of staff, but there are employees that check your tickets prior to boarding the train! They are courteous and this is what highly admire about them! If you have a shipload of a suitcase and it's too heavy to carry, they will immediately give you a helping hand!

Cute waiting room at Alpine station. There was not an attendant in the waiting room but it was…read moreclean and I loved the decor.