FLIPPERS BALMORHEA DIVE TRIP - 2010
West on I-30 (merge with 20 west of Ft Worth), drive eight hours and turn left on Hwy 17 in Pecos.

Last relatively cheap gas is at Exit 136 in MIdland, Wal Mart Supercenter keeps prices down.
Far West Texas is a desert, sparsely populated with limited cell service.
Take appropriate precautions when driving through the area.

Balmorhea State Park has campsites and cabins constructed by the CCC in the early 1930s.
Divers must have C-card and sign a daily waiver. San Solomon Springs water temp is 75f with 100 ft
vis, at least until the ow students hit the bottom and itʼs reduced to less than half. Max depth is 20 ft,
catfish, small fish and shell fish are present during the day. Excellent facilities with hot showers, long
walk from parking lot to dive area, personal wagons are popular. Water park area closes at sundown
(about 8 pm) but night dives ($4 extra) may be arranged with the ranger. Turtles and crawfish come
out then. Air fills are available a block outside the park. Remember - no alcohol or open containers.

Closest hotel/restaurant is four miles north at Balmorhea, El Oso Flojo and La Cueva De Oso.

Breakfast is available at station/store/cafe, SW corner of I-10 and Hwy 17.

Next closest lodging/restaurants/gas is 35 miles south at Ft Davis. Classic Hotel Limpia and Harvard
Hotel are notable, several B&Bs and motor lodges are available. Stone Village Lodge has regular
rooms and simple screened rooms with communal facilities for $44. Few restaurants, pizza, liquor
store, Limpia restaurant is highly recommended but alcohol purchase requires a membership.

Hotel chains and restaurants are located an hour north in Pecos. Closest McDonaldʼs restaurant is
over an hours drive, in either Monahans or Alpine.

Ft Davis National Historic Site is best preserved/restored frontier fort still in existence. Address is
101 Lt Henry Flipper Drive, named for first Black West Point Graduate, posted to the fort.
Free entry during National Park Week, April 17-25, site open daily 8 am - 5 pm.

Davis Mountains State Park is located two miles west on Hwy 118. Besides campsites and trails, the
park is home of the Indian Lodge Hotel (CCC - pueblo style - opened 1939) and Black Bear
Restaurant. Located at the foot of the Davis Mountains, this area redefines the term “rugged”.

McDonald Observatory is located 30 minutes west of Ft Davis on Hwy 118. Star Party ($10) starts at
9 pm, explaining whatʼs in the sky and how to locate it. Public viewing of 18 inch and smaller
telescopes of the moon, planets and constellations. Star Date Cafe opens at 8 pm featuring burgers,
nachos and quesadillas. The hot chocolate goes well with a chilly evening viewing.
Use caution driving at night as many critters can be crossing the road, posted Speed Limit - 30 MPH.

Tentative Saturday Schedule
7:30     Breakfast at the store on I-10 at Hwy 117. What else you gonna do, sleep?
8:30     Enter park, claim some shade, set up area and prepare to dive.
12:00   Lunch, club provides fixings for subs and side dishes. Tank fills as necessary.
2:00     More diving.
4:00     Break dive camp, police area, shower and clean up. Coordinate who wants to take an early
             dinner, schedule a night dive or go to the observatory for the Star Party.

Those arriving later on Saturday may wish to continue diving on Sunday morning.

Drive Safely Going Home.