Site Navigation Arkansas Louisiana Oklahoma New Mexico Texas       U.S. 90 East - Marfa to Alpine U.S. Highway 90 East This view looks east along US 90 in the Ryan Flat area of Presidio County. The landscape is flat here, but directly underneath sits a huge aquifer. Photo taken 07/04/08. US 90 goes up to four lanes as it enters the town of Marfa. Photos taken 07/04/08. Marfa is the county seat of Presidio County, and has about 2,100 inhabitants. Photo taken 07/04/08. US 90's first numbered intersection in town as at RR 2810. Photo taken 07/04/08. RR 2810 runs south and west as a spur to various ranches - and ends about 32 miles away. Photo taken 07/04/08. Marfa has very little chain retail activity, and what there is of it is located along US 90 through here. Photo taken 07/04/08. The only traffic directive in town sits at this stop sign where US 67 comes in. Photo taken 07/04/08. US 90 approaches US 67 here in Marfa. Marfa is known throughout Texas as an artists' town and has a huge number of galleries, swanky restaurants, and bookstores. Photo taken 07/04/08. Presidio, Mexico, and the southern end of US 67 sit 60 miles south of here at the border. US 67 also provides an alternate gateway to Big Bend National Park. Photo taken 07/04/08. U.S. Highway 67 North & 90 East US 67 joins US 90 here, while SH 17 runs north to IH 10 and 20. The Marfa Ballroom and other art galleries are in the right hand side of this view. Photo taken 07/04/08. This part of US 90 is part of the international Entrada al Pacifico Route. The route connects the Permian Basin of Texas with Mexican ports on the Pacific. It's very well signed in the United States, but in Mexico the route is not completed yet. Photo taken 07/04/08. Alpine, the next town, is about a 30 minute drive east of Marfa. Alpine is also the regional center. Photo taken 07/04/08. In West Texas, even two lane roads have a 75 mph speed limit. Freeways have an 80 mph speed limit. Photo taken 07/04/08. US 90 enters the 101 Flat east of Marfa, with the northern edges of the Chisos Mountains looming in the distance. Photo taken 07/04/08. These views look east along US 90 between Marfa and Alpine. Mountains sit to the north, south, and east of the route but the road itself runs through flat terrain. Photos taken 07/04/08. Marfa is famous internationally for the Marfa Lights, which is a mysterious phenomena that could be alien or terrestrial but is currently unexplained. The lights can be viewed along the flat around dusk and the state has constructed a special viewing area which can be seen in this photo towards the right. Photo taken 07/04/08. US 67/90 runs through the Paisano Pass as it nears Alpine. The road enters and leaves Brewster County twice as it runs up the pass, but only one county line is signed. This view is actually in Brewster County. Photo taken 07/04/08. These views look east along US 67/90 as it climbs up the Paisano Pass. Paisano Peak is the prominent mountain in the photos. A baptist camp sits along the county line. Photos taken 07/04/08. A distant rainshower spells the rainy season for this area, as US 67/90 enters Brewster County. The county was named for the secretary of war for the Republic of Texas and is the largest county in the state. The county is larger than Delaware and Rhode Island put together. Photo taken 07/04/08. The "Twin Sisters" Mountains feature prominently in these two views. Photos taken 07/04/08. Soon after entering Brewster County, Alpine and its trees appear on the horizon. Photos taken 07/04/08. Alpine started as a railroad stop called Osborne, and was later renamed Murphyville after the Murphy family, who allowed the railroad to use their spring as a water source. In was renamed Alpine in 1888 in order to attract settlers. Photo taken 07/04/08. A view of a US 67/90 reassurance marker in Alpine. In the rear an "SR" can be seen gracing the hillside. Alpine is the home of Sul Ross State University, which was a big factor in the growth of the town over Marfa. Another hill has an "A" on it. Photo taken 07/04/08. FM 1703 runs north as a spur for about 4 miles from US 90. Photo taken 07/04/08. Alpine has a few chain establishments, but most business is decidedly local. There is an underpass for the railroad on the west side of town. Here, US 67/90 splits into a one-way street couplet that persists through Alpine. Photos taken 07/04/08. These views of US 67/90 as they enter Alpine show downtown and some local businesses. Photos taken 07/04/08. SH 118 runs south to Big Bend from here, and north to IH 10, it is the main north/south road in Brewster County. Photo taken 07/04/08. Hidden by a pole, this direction sign points the way to Big Bend National Park headquarters, which is 108 miles east and south down US 385. Photo taken 07/04/08. US 67 and US 90 continues east from Alpine, while SH 118 continues north. The next town, Fort Davis, is about 25 minutes north. Photo taken 07/04/08. SH 118 briefly has an overlap with the US highways just east of downtown Alpine. Alpine, Marathon, Marfa, and Fort Davis are all quirkly touristy towns popular with Texans and New Mexicans, but see little tourist traffic from other places. All towns are full of art galleries, local restaurants, and cultural activities. Photo taken 07/04/08. A view of the US highways in Alpine. The "Food Basket", the towns only grocery store, is just on the left here. Photo taken 07/04/08. Marathon, the only other town in Brewster County, is about 30 minutes to the east of here. Fort Stockton and IH 10 is about an hour away. Photo taken 07/04/08. SH 118 leaves here and runs south to the national park. Photo taken 07/04/08. SH 223 is a very short state highway and should be a loop, but the road runs north and west to SH 118 on the north side of Alpine and forms a bypass. Photo taken 07/04/08. Alpine is fairly far from any freeways, about an hour at best. The town regularly makes lists as one of the top places to retire in the US. Its low population is a sign that not many people take that to heart. Photo taken 07/04/08. Page Updated August 24, 2008.