Chuy's

The place is real easy to spot, and I am quite sure it is visible from Guadalupe pass, quite a few miles to the north.  The view above is from roughly north to south and the launch pad, which is in close-up above, is nearest us.  It looks to me like that is a transport track from the large assembly building in the background to the fueling station near the pad and onto the pad nearest our viewpoint

Pad and Fueling Area

This would seem to be the assembly building and administrative building.  Looks like there is a little environmental issue here.  Appears to be diesel fuel or something that has spilled and is running down alongside the road.

Transport Track From South to North

Access Gate From Highway 54

Sierra Diablos, Just West of Launch Site

There was some confusion coming in to Van Horn; it was mine.  My Airguide showed 122.8 for the CTAF with a note that some people may be on 122.9.  When I called on 122.8 another pilot told me that 122.9 was where I should be.  My Garmin 396 said 122.9.  Who knows.  Makes one understand how accidents can happen, like the recent one in Los Alamos, NM, where one Bonanza landed on top of another one.  They were on two different frequencies.

The Airguide also said the airport is attended intermittently and there is self service fuel.  The airport was completely deserted.  I couldn't find another airplane. If there has been self service fuel in the past, there doesn't seem to be any now.  There was a fuel truck at the fuel farm, so it might have been possible to call someone out, if needed.

This is a view from the road between the airport and town of Van Horn.  I'm glad I brought the bicycle, it would have been a pretty long and lonely walk.  Maybe two cars passed in about 3 miles.  There is a reason Jeff picked the area for private rocketry. Culberson County is not one of the more populated counties in Texas.  It seems that rural Texas is a bit different than, say, the rural Vermont, that I hear about.

Downtown Van Horn

Diesel Mechanic Shop on Main Street

It is apparent why Mr. Simpson would like Jeff Bezos to help promote the town.  It seems to be in decline and there are many many old and derelict buildings.  This is Chuy's from across the street.

The sign says Chuy's has been in business since 1959. I think that is a long time for a business in Van Horn.  I'm not sure the John Madden connection has really helped the establishment though, but maybe it helps bring in the tourists from the freeway. To promote the connection the restaurant in now sort of an awkward combination of old Mexican Restaurant/Sports Bar. There is a lot of sports memorabilia and Madden stuff. In the picture above, the table nearest the big TV screen is reserved for John Madden.

On the wall to the left is a mural.  To protect the innocent, I didn't take a picture.  I call it Jesus blessing the beer. The entire wall is a mural of Chuy's with a giant Jesus behind it with arms outstretched.  Just visible above, to the right side of the mural is a Miller Lite neon sign.

I thought the food was good, if a bit bland.  I wasn't hungry enough to get the rice and beans, which you really need, to fairly evaluate a Mexican Restaurant. In fairness, I didn't get John's favorite dish, but even so, I don't feel I need to travel here again to satisfy that particular itch.

On The Way Back to Carlsbad, With El Capitan (Guadalupe Pass) in Background

Guadalupe Mountains

Parking Place at Van Horn

I had fun.  I'm too far from Florida to see that stuff.  Felt sort of like a space spy.

It would be fun to actually witness a launch also.  The trick is knowing when.  I know it would be sometime during the TFR, but when?  Can anyone help?

Larry Pardue, Carlsbad, NM

Home