“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” – Theodore Roosevelt

One of my favorite things to do in my spare time as a kid was to make a bucket list of all the things and places I wanted to go. With a deep love for learning and curiosity, the McDonald Observatory always found its way right at the top. So for my birthday, my husband planned the most magical trip to a small town in West Texas, quaintly known as Fort Davis.

Located roughly three hours from Big Bend National Park, Fort Davis has an occupancy of just over a thousand people and truly captures southern small-town charm, yet surprisingly, it is very diverse. Drawing people from all over the world (usually in their Subaru’s) to visit the city of star parties.

But once you visit this town, you will find the stars are not the only attraction… the history truly is as well. Fort Davis National Historic Site preserves 523 acres of land that was once a functioning frontier military post from 1854 to 1891. Its primary function was to offer protection to people passing between the San Antonio- El Paso road.

With just over ten different hotel-style accommodations, this town never runs out of places to stay and adventures to go on. Which leads me to where we decided to stay. The Harvard Lodge. Staying there felt like being as far away from people as one could get, yet somehow, it still felt luxurious. It was a place stuck in time, yet somehow that didn’t matter. It didn’t need to. I don’t think I have ever stayed somewhere so serene. So desolate. No matter where you looked, there was just open land, and very far off into the distance, you could see the observatory itself.

Now that place was magic… if only I were able to get more pictures.

The McDonald Observatory’s star parties are truly one for the books. The passion the astronomers have for their work is contagious… and for good reason. If only words could capture the magnificence of our galaxy, and the vastness beyond, you’d understand why it’s so disheartening that over 80% of people in the U.S. can no longer see the stars as they should. What’s worse is that it is completely avoidable through education and mindfulness.

There is something so humbling about looking up at the stars. A longing. An understanding of the people who once said they could see the heavens and a realization of just how much we’ve let slip away.

Just don’t be surprised if you don’t have signal…
But maybe that’s the point.

Truly,

Shay

If you would like to learn more about light pollution, click here.