Afternoon: 3:00 PM Check in at Mountain Trails Lodge. 4:30 PM Welcome and orientation session.

Dinner: Special Father's Day meal at the Lodge.

Evening: Overview of the natural world of the Chihuahuan Desert and "sky island" mountains in the region. Our presenter will explain the different landscapes and ecosystems, and discuss the botany and wildlife you will experience here.

Lodging: Mountain Trails Lodge & Outdoor Learning Center

Meals Included: Dinner

Fort Davis National Historic Site, Balmorhea State Park, Swimming, Wildlife, Snakes and Bugs!

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the Lodge.

Morning: Explore Fort Davis National Historic Site, which depicts the history of buffalo soldiers, Native American inhabitants and skirmishes, and life at the fort for the soldiers and their families. Walk a part of the Butterfield Overland mail route and San Antonio-El Paso road as you participate in an educational program with uniformed rangers or volunteers.

Lunch: Picnic lunch under cottonwoods and native oaks at Balmorhea State Park.

Afternoon: Swim in the two-acre natural artesian pool and enjoy a nature walk to the desert cienega. Search for a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, turtles, snakes and endangered fish. On the way back, we'll visit Buzz the Snake Guy, where we'll view an exhibit of live reptiles and arthropods and learn about these fascinating desert creatures.

Dinner: At the Lodge.

Evening: Evening program on BUGS! Set up white sheets and turn on black lights to see what shows up. A fascinating array of colorful moths, as well as perhaps a scorpion or two, will not be able to resist the allure. Wear dark clothing and close-toed shoes.

Lodging: Mountain Trails Lodge & Outdoor Learning Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the Lodge.

Morning: Explore Chihuahuan Desert Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Your guide will lead you on interpretive hikes through botanical gardens, cactus greenhouse, mining history exhibit, and geology exhibit. In Modesta Canyon, visit a natural spring and look for water bugs. Walk through geologic layers of sedimentary and volcanic history.

Lunch: At the Lodge.

Afternoon: Join staff for a solar viewing program before exploring the world-renown University of Texas McDonald Observatory. See inside two large research telescopes, including the world's third largest single structure optical telescope: the Hobby Eberly Telescope (HET).

Dinner: Regional specialty.

Evening: Participate in a Star Party at McDonald Observatory. Identify constellations in the night sky and observe celestial objects through several telescopes manned by astronomers behind the visitor's center.

Lodging: Mountain Trails Lodge & Outdoor Learning Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the Lodge.

Morning: Experience the backcountry in the breathtaking Davis Mountains. On horseback or in a jeep, watch for wildlife, birds, and trees and plants indicative of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Lunch: Picnic lunch.

Afternoon: After your horseback ride or jeep tour, relax at Mountain Trails Lodge. Throw a frisbee, take a nap, or play games.

Dinner: At the Lodge.

Evening: Discuss Marfa Lights phenomenon and possible causes, then travel to the viewing area between Alpine & Marfa to look for these mysterious lights.

Lodging: Mountain Trails Lodge & Outdoor Learning Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Alpine and Museum of the Big Bend; Marathon, TX, Historic Cattle & Railroad Town; West Texas Ranch BBQ; Music and Stories Around the Campfire

Breakfast: At the Lodge.

Morning: Drive to historic Alpine, Texas. We'll visit the world-class Museum of the Big Bend on the campus of Sul Ross State University. A docent will give you a glimpse into the fascinating history of the Big Bend region - from pre-history (archaeology & geology), native American residents, and Spanish explorers to the more recent history of cowboys and ranchers, soldiers at the Fort, railroads, the formation of Big Bend National Park, and Sul Ross State University. A special program at the museum will include a hands-on craft or activity for adults and kids to enjoy together!

Lunch: At the Reata Restaurant, named after the Texas ranch in the movie "Giant."

Afternoon: Stroll down historic Murphy Street in Alpine and stop for ice cream at Murphy Street Raspa Company. Travel south through Marathon, Texas, to a real working West Texas ranch.

Dinner: Traditional West Texas cowboy BBQ brisket cookout.

Evening: Live like Texans in the 1800s! Kids and adventurous adults sleep outdoors in tents, others sleep in the ranch's guest lodge, in twin beds with shared bathrooms, or under the stars on the covered veranda. Cowboy singing and s'mores around a campfire (weather and fire conditions permitting).

Lodging: Spring Creek Ranch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early Vaquero breakfast at the Ranch.

Morning: Vans depart Spring Creek Ranch promptly at 7:30 AM Central time. Shuttle riders transferred to the El Paso International Airport by 11:00 AM Mountain time. All others returned to Mountain Trails Lodge by about 9:00 AM Central time.

Meals Included: Breakfast