Day Trip to Balmorhea 🏊🏻‍♂️ (FULL EPISODE) S7 E6

When the Texas heat is blaring, there’s nothing better than diving into a cool, blue swimming hole - and that’s exactly what you’ll find in Balmorhea. At first look, this way-out-west Texas town may seem like a barren desert, but it’s actually full of surprises - like exotic fish, gourmet gas stations and legendary gangsters.
Hiking through a dry desert in the Texas heat will make you long for some clear, fresh water, and luckily among the cactus and rocks exists a natural spring: San Solomon Springs in Balmorhea State Park. A chilling 72 degrees, this spring is sure to cool off any day in the sun. You can also perfect your cannon ball and belly-flop on the 300 ft. high diving board (that’s just an estimate BTW!). While you’re splashing around, be sure and say “hello” to the Comanche Springs Pupfish. This stripped wonder can only be found in San Solomon Springs’ natural blue waters.
Head down the street from Balmorhea State Park to the Toyahvale Desert Oasis where Darryl and Neta will lend you all the SCUBA essentials. While swimming under the peaceful waters of the spring, don’t be surprised if a Texas Spiny Softshell Turtle waves at you as he jets by.
If you’re still feeling parched, you can wade in the waters of Lake Balmorhea, a lake in the middle of the desert with the Davis Mountains for a backdrop. You might just find time slows down as you lay out on the dock admiring the beauty of Texas.
Balmorhea is more than just its beautiful water, it’s also home to the famous “Balmorhea Blue” Agate as the whole area was once covered with volcanoes leaving these exotic rocks scattered across the ground. Just like a Tex-ified Easter egg hunt, you can go rock hunting and gather up as many as you can hold. Just a tip….be sure to grab a pro rock hunter like Sue from Balmorhea Blue Rock Shop so you don’t end up with a bag full of worthless pebbles…and definitely check out her shop while in town.
A few miles west of the town, you will come upon the remains of Phantom Lake Camp, a 1930’s tourist destination that once thrived on travelers looking for a place to stay. In 1933, one of these tourists was none other than Chicago gangster John Herbert Dillinger, who drove all the way to Texas to disappear after a string of robberies. Rumor has it, he may still be around…
Outside of town, you’ll find Calera Chapel, an old western mission established over 100 years ago. Built in honor of Father Nicolas Brocardus, the Calera Foundation has renovated this one-room church so it still serves the community today. This chapel is an amazing example of Texas faith.
Sadly, Juan Carrasco Mercantile has permanently closed since we filmed this episode.
If homemade West Texas Mexican food is what your heart desires, then try Cueva de Oso (or as the locals say “Bear Den”). They’ll serve you some delicious dinner just like your mama used to make - that is if your mama made enchilada sauce and tortillas from scratch. Don’t miss the “tacos a la parilla.”
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[@lauratorres7634]

This is where my grandmother was born and raised! As a child, my father and his siblings would swim in the State Park pool and I remember visiting every summer as a child myself! You did a great job showing the heart of this town, and I really appreciate the video!❤

[@trailerparkcryptoking5213]

In the early 80’s I went to school with a girl and her brother in Ft Stockton. Their step dad and drop dead gorgeous mother owned and operated a restaurant in Balmorhea named “Chicken Charlies”...! It was great homecooking in a rustic decorated environment. The food was beyond great as was the deserts. The beautiful mother had a great personality and waited tables and everyone loved her. The conversation between tables was how far did you drive to eat here?!? Some folks drove 100-200-300 miles each direction to eat at Chicken Charlies! It burned down circa 1982-83 and they didn’t rebuild.....

[@markfletcher8084]

Several years ago I spent a few hours in Balmorhea. Now I wish I spent a couple days.

[@TheDaytripper]

It's got more to explore than it seems.

[@pc-yx9uh]

what an awesome episode!

[@margieloya5018]

Loved it!❤ and now I'm hungry 😊

[@TheDaytripper]

Those tacos are 🔥

[@texpatriot8462]

Last year, we went to the pool and loved it. Wish we knew where to eat.

[@1paintist]

Now that is pure Texan. It looked like Chet had a beer andddddd a glass of iced tea!

[@stariecaylor9777]

I used to live in Balmorhea for a few years and I miss it a lot. Thank you! Also, a friendly suggestion for everyone. Don't chase, tease, or say anything about making the turkeys into a meal. The turkeys are protected by the town and you can get into a lot of trouble doing so. It was nice seeing some familiar faces. My favorite spot was the waterway in the middle of town to just go and hang out.

[@TheDaytripper]

Amazing how clean the water is. Like a little crystal river.

[@stariecaylor9777]

@@TheDaytripper It's very clean. I was actually surprised to see a piece of trash in the waterway. My mom and little sister used to live in Balmorhea too. My sister used to work for the rock shop part time.

[@TrixRN]

Stayed the night in Balmorhea State Park 40 years ago on the way to Tucson for a wedding. It was great then looks like it hasn’t changed. 👍💙

[@TheDaytripper]

Not much at all.

[@airgunfun4248]

Cool Chet

[@joelrodriguez3568]

Hi my name is Joel from bigspring Tx was scrolling on the TV watching videos you came up with Odessa and Midland great job I'm New subscriber 😊 thank you for such a great job 👍if you ever get a chance please do video of San Marcos my hometown.😊

[@Adventure.America]

Love the Balmorea and fort davis area we spent a week in Terlingua off grid and can't wait to go back. The whole west Texas area is so peaceful ❤. Thank you for sharing. Your videos are Great and entertaining.😂

[@timd1833]

Aw, man!!! Your DayTripper food segments always, repeat ALWAYS, makes me want to plan a trip to.................. (insert town here). 😋😋😋😋😋 Rick Steve's got nothin' on you!!!!

[@TheDaytripper]

That's high praise.

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

HEY! You forgot VAN HORN! 😱😁😝🤪🤣👍👍🇺🇲

[@kevinrice7663]

Man van horn, haven't been their yet,but that's the original Chuy's,and not related to the franchise,I heard it's very very good, bucket list updated,aka native Texan

[@Austin8thGenTexan]

One of the 4 most magical (wet) places in Texas: the others being Barton Springs, Austin, San Marcos River (my undergraduate alma mater Texas State University) and Athens Scuba Park (in my hometown) 🌊 Somebody please help me here: did they recently renovate Balmorhea pool? 🤔

[@bitfenix90]

Night sky... almost no light pollution... spend 30 minutes out there, and your eyes will adjust so Moonlight is too bright, and Starlight is all you need. Also, staying at the canal-side motel - not a great place - but it's got the canal!

[@3rdcoastclassics713]

My mom’s hometown ❤

[@kevinrice7663]

Been here in Texas for all my life for 44 years and I pronounce it the same way you did in the beginning,thanks for clarifying 😂😂, this does look familiar though I think I've seen this episode on PBS heck yeah glad you brought it to KZbin

[@TheDaytripper]

Yep. It's from a few years ago. Just sharing it with our KZbin audience

[@kevinrice7663]

@@TheDaytripper takes me back, definitely gotta go there,it's on my bucket list,thanks for taking me back 👊, Texas always

[@joemathews8115]

Excellent video! Might have to plan a trip!

[@TheDaytripper]

You should!

[@yutaseragaki1998]

My grandparents lived in Balmorhea

[@oscargideon5737]

I was “like” 667, you’re welcome 😂

[@michaeldodge8308]

I lived on the Lake a few years across the Dam' the house had a full bar and indoor BBQ Pit🤠

[@sambrannan7550]

I grew up in Royalty near here. It is now a ghost town

[@TheDaytripper]

Never even heard of that one.

[@trailerparkcryptoking5213]

Near Monahans.....John Dillinger hid out there back in his day....

[@blacklily35]

One word..... expensive!

[@WillBelden]

Had lunch at the La Cueva de Oso Restaurant today. Was excellent!

[@hondovasquez8570]

Been to the pool but not restaurant we live in Chicago Next time we go to Bari will try the restaurant

[@solotrokiando642]

Man Texas is huge …

[@TheDaytripper]

Endless..

[@naturetrails8357]

Looks like nice community to live & retire in , 6 man 🏈 there pretty good at.

[@Themanthatisweird186.1]

0:04 to 0:20 where are those mountains they are so cool looking

[@deathstar9892]

Love your show.

[@Themanthatisweird186.1]

hey chet next can you make a video about ''texarkana''

[@TheDaytripper]

Maybe. Where should we go?

[@Themanthatisweird186.1]

@@TheDaytripper holiday springs water park four states auto museum. Museum of regional history spring lake park and the city hall

[@Themanthatisweird186.1]

@@TheDaytripper and ace of clubs house

[@Themanthatisweird186.1]

@@TheDaytripper texarkana is on the east side of texas on the edge

[@kevinrice7663]

@@Themanthatisweird186.1 it's Northeast nowhere near the coast, you're definitely not a native Texan, go back to where you came from,sorry to be rude,but really, nowhere near any kind of coastline

[@clydekimsey7503]

I stayed at a b and b there about 10 years ago

[@kevinrice7663]

How was it??,left everyone hanging

[@clydekimsey7503]

@kevinrice7663 it was small, simple, nice and cheap

[@ibarra5854]

Did you eat at Mata's burgers

[@shanehays2950]

Coke not Dr Pepper????????

[@kevinrice7663]

Nope.. mr. Pibb

[@rachelvillarreal6389]

Your videos are very informatic. However, the theatrics are a bit much.

[@TheDaytripper]

Agree. 🤠