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A “junction” both in function and name
Junction truly feels like the gateway to West Texas – aptly named, it sits at the junction of 290 westbound out of Austin and I-10 out of San Antonio. Before Junction, roads are still lined with rolling hills dotted with oak trees – beyond it, the land quickly becomes starker, and in the glazed consciousness of a long drive, trees become shrubs become tumble weeds in the blink of an eye and hills become rocky mesas and lone buttes. It at times feels like an endless stretch, but allows for some deep thinking, or deep conversations and car games, depending on your mood and company.
Feeling hungry at Junction? A great stop is Lum’s BBQ, where some slow-smoked sausage, turkey, or ribs are sure to satiate you for the long cruise westbound. An alternative is Cooper’s Pit BBQ which, referenced in XXX post, is also a local staple in Llano and Mason. So if you missed it on the way through the Hill Country, there’s still a chance to indulge in Junction.
Small town America among wide open land: Sonora and Ozona
Pulling back onto I-10 out of Junction and you now need to plan your stops well, as they become fewer and further between. The next town, Sonora, is a good 60 miles away, followed by Ozona at a further 35 miles – after that, it’s a long haul of 107 miles out to Fort Stockton. Make sure you have the truck gassed up and have taken care of bathroom needs and car snacks. If you were not quite ready for a meal at Junction, no worries – Sonora has another great BBQ option in Pit Stop BBQ, which offers an excellent two meat plate combo that will have the whole car napping (the driver better moderate or prepare to caffeinate).
Onwards to Ozona, and by now, you’re almost at the desert……Ozona is the county seat and truly the only town in Crockett county, a sprawling swath of Texas land with endless views of desert hills, wind turbines, and old oil wells. A stop by the Crockett County Courthouse may be welcome for a quick stretch of the legs and an appreciation of yet another historic small town piece of architecture. If you waited all the way to Ozona to chow down, not to fear – a couple of great options are Destiny’s Grill and Hitchin’ Post Steakhouse. The emerging theme here is that these small town culinary delights are harbingers of a food coma.
The crossroads at Fort Stockton and beyond
Once at Fort Stockton, a true Texas frontier bastion, you are at a crossroads: There is 285 headed Northwest to Pecos, where the Permian oil and gas activity is really humming. There is 18 North to Monahans (and the Monhands Sand Hills State Park, with legit sand dunes) connecting into Highway 20 into Midland/Odessa. 385 takes you South into Marathon and the famous Gage Hotel, and onwards to Big Bend National Park. 67 South will take you into the triangle of Alpine, Marfa, and Fort Davis. And of course, you can continue on I-10 West to Balmorhea, Van Horn, Sierra Blanca, and eventually El Paso.
My next write-up will focus on the towns that act as gateways to Davis Mountains State Park and Big Bend: Marathon, Alpine, Marfa, and Fort Davis – each has a charm of its own and plenty to discover!