Marfa, Texas

A Rosy Outlook Blog // Roadtrip Marfa Bound // Sunset over Teepees at El Cosmico

This memorial day weekend is perfect for a trip out to Marfa, Texas. We took our trip west a month or so ago. Only a six or seven hour drive from our home in Llano, we just spent one night in Marfa at El Cosmico. Their Safari Tents were exactly the backdrop we needed for a home goods shot for our other line, BohoCircus. The trip provided the necessary break and inspiration we needed to take a couple days away from the studio and store.

A Rosy Outlook Blog // Roadtrip Marfa Bound // BohoCircus home goods

El Cosmico is dog friendly, so we packed the little (not so little) guys up in the back and made our way to Marfa!

We made a detour to our fave, Enchanted Rock, to hike the loop trail and tire out our very excited, pro-roadtrip puppies. Next, we were on to Fredericksburg, for some necessary pre-roadtrip grub, the bean and cheese burritos at Hilda's Tortillas is always a must. We stuffed our faces and hit the open road!

“Marfa, population 2121, sits at a unique crossroads of rural Southwest culture and international art Mecca. The town is equally influenced by its cattle ranching legacy, its proximity to Mexico and the vibrant migration of artists from big cities who have been drawn to Marfa since the early 1970’s for its serenity and mystic quality of light. Here you will see a real cowboy and a major work of art in the same afternoon. What is now desert was once ocean, dinosaur homeland and Apache territory. There is talk of an inexplicable, elusive phenomenon of lights. Marfa sits amidst some of the Southwest’s best natural and built wonders, including Big Bend State and National Parks, McDonald Observatory, Chinati Hot Springs, the Davis Mountains and Balmorhea.”

— El Cosmico, Marfa Texas

A Rosy Outlook Blog // Roadtrip Marfa Bound // El Cosmico

A Rosy Outlook Blog // Roadtrip Marfa Bound // Food Shark, Marfa Texas

A Rosy Outlook Blog // Roadtrip Marfa Bound // Teepee at El Cosmico

After a few rest stops, roadtrip treats, enjoying the gorgeous scenery, and brainstorming business ideas along the way, we arrived in Marfa. We drove around to see the town, which took all of about 10 minutes (we had come on a Monday, fyi most things are closed). But we came for a photo shoot, we loaded our things into our tent and proceeded to capture some great shots of our new pillows and dog beds.

A Rosy Outlook Blog // Roadtrip Marfa Bound // Hikes Music

El Cosmico is a beautiful little retreat, with tents, teepees, a yurt, and vintage campers. We enjoyed their hammock sanctuary, communal outdoor kitchen and bbq, and live music provided by Hikes. After the magical performance under the stars and fairy lights, we loaded up to go check out the elusive mystery lights.

A Rosy Outlook Blog // Roadtrip Marfa Bound // See the Mystery Lights

We arrived at the viewing center, not sure of what was to come, but once the white dancing lights came we knew we were lucky enough to see the Marfa Lights. They look so natural, it seems there should be an easy explanation for them, like men walking around with flashlights, or headlights somewhere off in the distance, and yet they give you a creepy unexplainable phenomenon feeling, like if you blink too long you'll wake up with some implant and missing time. Look for the blinking red light as a guide as to where you should look - and definitely check them out!

Woke up and grabbed some coffee from the office and packed out our things in the most adorable "hotel carts" - upcycled nursery wagons spray painted with all different designs. We headed back up to I-10 through Fort Davis, a quaint little Texan town not to be missed.

To wear out the four-legged friends for the long ride home we stopped at the Davis Mountains State Park with free admission with our handy dandy State Parks Pass. We hiked up behind the Indian Lodge for the most frightening... not for beginners... didn't know what we were getting into... started out slow... and still yet beautiful hike we have been on.

A Rosy Outlook // Roadtrip Marfa Bound // Big Bend National Park

Learn from our mistake: If we did this roadtrip again, we'd go on a weekend (most of the shops and restaurants in Marfa are closed during the week) and here's the amended route we'd take, when you're on I-10 W, get on 385 S at Fort Stockton, that'll end at Marathon, Texas, a must stop (we missed!) then head west on 90 for Marfa. Head back north to I-10 via 17 to go through Fort Davis.