Marathon Texas, Gateway to the Big Bend Wilderness

[@williamkeith8944]

The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas. Marathon is a fine town with such places to see.

[@minmal]

My great aunt and uncle lived across the street from the Gage hotel and managed it when it first opened. They are buried there in the Marathon cemetery.

[@weswalker1208]

I always tap on your video as soon as I see them available

[@Priscilla_Bettis]

I can't believe such a small town has such a big, exotic garden. The hotel is amazing, too.

[@grannybee]

Hello from Canada. I love your videos. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheLandOfJonny]

Such a cool little town!

[@rickrizzo-gfilmproducer1310]

Keep up the outstanding work! I have been to many of the places you film at. Love Texas! 🇺🇸✝️

[@MPrybil]

The thing I like most about your videos is that you frame them like through your eyes so it feels like I’m there walking in the town or park looking at the scenery. There’s one You Tuber that always uses a selfie stick and he’s in every scene. He was shooting this beautiful scene over his left shoulder with him blocking most of the view! I wanted to yell at the screen, “GET OUT OF THE FRAME”!!!! Thanks, I’m a subscriber and enjoy your videos and plan to visit several of the places you’ve shown on your channel.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Thanks. I try to make the channel about Texas not me.

[@michaelsonleitner5724]

Thanks again Secrets of Texas! 90% of the time we’d go through the outskirts of Marathon on our way to BBNP not knowing all this existed!

[@unclejj2350]

that Gardens Hotel has to be the coolest looking hotel I have ever seen. Forget the modern day hotels, this one is the one I would like to spend a few days at.

[@egar4767]

I have driven through there. If I only knew. Thanks for sharing.

[@YellowRoseoftx]

Absolutely will check this are out, on my list! Beautiful town and gardens. I liked the intro and the super interesting cemetery 😎👍🏻

[@lodazal6571]

Been through Marathon a few times but barely even slowed down. Can't believe what I missed and hope to get back soon. Thanks for sharing this 'secret.' The comment about restrooms is so true. I'm used to the Northwest, where we have comfortable pit stops every 50 miles. Either a large rest stop with restrooms, vending machines, lawns and several tables under shade or a truck stop. West Texas was quite a culture shock. Picnic areas on the highway mostly consist of a trash can and a table, often shaded but not always. Don't expect a pit toilet or porta john, let alone running water. Beautiful area though, worth any inconvenience. Don't pass up a chance to get fuel either. Gave a guy from Lufkin a ride into Fort Stockton. Said he thought he could make it to the next town on a quarter tank. Not in West Tx LOL

[@russellarmer-ml1ir]

yea we were down there in like 85 that pretty much sums it up

[@Patriot-American]

One of my favorite Texas areas as well. Have stayed at the Gage many years ago. Lovely little town and I love the vibe there. And as you said... it's close to Big Bend National Park... Thanks for your videos and appreciate your channel ... Safe Travels...

[@lenisbennett3062]

Marathon, a destination unto itself.

[@kellycoleman715]

Another must-visit. The beautiful gardens of the Gage Hotel across the tracks by the bungalows is an unexpected delight. The rose garden there in season is spectacular. The springs/pond of Post Park south of town mustn’t be missed either, especially if you are a bird watcher. Marathon has some of the darkest skies in the U. S. and stargazers regularly gather there. One memorable night I spotted a small, fuzzy pink patch in the sky that really had me puzzled. Some online research solved the mystery. The pink patch was ionized plasma that was created by focused microwave bombardment by radio dishes at the foot of Mount Locke, several miles to the NW.

[@Lora-Lynn]

Heading west!

[@travelingwithrick]

We stayed at the RV park this summer. This town is a gem. It seems the area of town 'on the other side of the tracks' is a bit run down but has that out west flavor. The French grocer is like a bodega. There's something about this place that want to go back. They even have a K-12 school with about 60 students total. lol. The views of the mountains, the old west vibe, non tourist trap real far west Texas town.

[@davidohmart1336]

Been there you gota go

[@oscarc8549]

Fascinating little town! I will definitely have to take the highway 90 route to Alpine next time so that I can stop in Marathon.

[@markmiddaugh9359]

Great place to visit.

[@travelpl66]

Second Marathon😀 first is in Greece😀

[@Austin8thGenTexan]

An excellent video as usual ! Looked at the Gage hotel website - and noticed that the pool is long enough to swim laps in. That would likely cause me to book an extra night there... 🏊 🐬 🏊‍♀️

[@junkscience6397]

Couldn't find a single person, huh? lol. I'm kidding! Good video.

[@texan-american200]

The entrance of the garden gives off a classic ancient Greek feel.

[@zakziebell543]

They named the town Marathon because the landscape was similar to Greece!

[@melisaspur032]

Your videos are great! I’m so intrigued with this area and hoping to spends some time gophers but darn it’s way out there need a lot of time

[@oceanjoker3544]

Great video!

[@ariedeblanc8572]

You should do some old towns off of 290 West if you haven’t already! I’m curious about Carmine, Chappell Hill, Ledbetter, Giddings & Elgin but never have time to be adventurous when I pass through

[@cameraman655]

Yeah, it’s been a while since I was there last, probably 2015 or so. Indeed, the Gage is a stunning venue, worth the visit. I love Texas historic hotels and prefer them to the chains, I have stayed in many on my travels around the state. Eve’s Garden, a little too “hippy-dippy”for my taste, nice folks though.

[@russellarmer-ml1ir]

we were in marathon in 85 i remember only a store and gas station.we got fuel and headed south into the big bend if all this was there we never seen it

[@almeggs3247]

I wish I lived there just to belong to St Mary’s Catholic Church!

[@beniwelch6020]

How LOBELY!😄

[@beniwelch6020]

Lovely!!!! Oops!

[@nathanpratt3058]

I wonder where all the ppl are, it just seems so empty

[@luperamos7307]

Are you using an external microphone while filling this?

[@secretsoftexas6872]

No, but occasionally I have tried microphone covers to reduce wind noise with mixed results

[@luperamos7307]

@@secretsoftexas6872 Wow, your voice is crystal clear. I can't even tell the difference between voiceovers and what you say while filming. Thought you are using a GoPro.

[@franciscogil6798]

Pretty place to retire a couple if weeks and disconnect from the internet and the world

[@rk-ec7kx]

I've heard Marathon is excellent stargazing

[@thefrontporch8594]

Lotta oil money making that lovely place even lovelier. I personally prefer more natural, organic places myself.