After leaving Big Bend we did some sightseeing in the area driving scenic roads and visiting the outstanding Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute where we spent the better part of the day hiking and roaming through their botanical garden, cactus exhibit, and viewing birds at their bird blind. We were rewarded on our hike with sightings of elk and aoudad or barbary sheep. We had dinner in Alpine at the Reata Restaurant thanks to a gift certificate from Leah & Zach and spent the night at Fort Davis State Park.
