Daily Blog: Getaways Come In All Sizes

“Getaway” is a unique term for a category of cities and towns.

But some towns are more of a “getaway” than others.

In the May 2009 issue of Texas Highways, Barbara Rodriguez describes one getaway as follows:

“After driving the many miles required to reach Alpine from just about anywhere, a lot of folks see this town as if it’s the last stop on the roaring open road to Big Bend National Park. But here’s my best advice any time you get close enough to feel Alpine’s gravitational pull: Just give in. Failing to stop and explore the biggest little town in the Texas Outback is like trying to huff up Mount Everest without spending any time acclimating at base camp.”

Three basic ingredients for a getaway seem consistent: a unique hotel, a museum or gallery and a distinctive place to eat. In Alpine’s case, Rodriguez suggests, among others: the Historic Holland hotel, the CatchLight Art Gallery and reservations at Reata (with a bonus, if you can catch an event in the recently remodeled 1929 Granada Theatre).

And Alpine’s population? At last check, 5,934.