Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers

As we say “So Long” to Fort Davis, Texas, it’s safe to say we had another action-packed successful conference!! Many thanks to Virginia and David for planning wonderful outdoor tours, impressive workshops, and Texas activities. It was also four days of camaraderie, catching up with old friends, and sharing thoughts and ideas. As we look toward next year and the 2025 Conference in Taos, NM, I look forward to seeing y’all! (Texas talk!)

~ Linda Haehnle (RMOWP President)

With a chocker-block full lineup, we began our first full day with a field trip to Davis Mountain State Park. We took a walk and talk tour with Park Ranger Charlie Ewing. The hike followed the rocky Sky Line trail, offering views of the Sky Island ecosystem.

That evening, we visited the historic Prude Ranch for a delectable barbecue dinner, followed by a hayride to the Flats, complete with a campfire and s’mores. The rest of the evening, we gazed at the stars as astronomer, Charlie Ewing, told tales of constellations. At the same time, we viewed Jupiter through a telescope and photographed the incredible Milky Way.

Our workshop leaders included three amazing guests and our own RMOWP president, Linda Haehnle. Renowned photographer and tour guide, Lee Hoy, offered an information-packed presentation on night sky photography. 

Hiking Texas ambassador Marcus Connolly presented a workshop on the intricacies of time-lapse photography. Linda Hahenle offered an intriguing workshop, detailing what she looked for in a tour guide and photo workshop leader.

Author, historian, museum director, and commissioner Larry Francell did double duty for the conference. Larry presented a lecture full of personal stories and how he used those stories, his historical knowledge, and his curiosity to write several local historical books. Larry also led a personalized walking tour of the Fort Davis National Historic Site.

Our tour of the Davis Mountain Nature Conservancy gave us insights on their conservation efforts to bring once endangered wildlife back to the area. We also enjoyed an auto tour of Madera Canyon, with views of 8,300-foot Mt. Livermore, the second highest peak in Texas.

On our final field trip, we visited the Chihuahua Desert Research Institute and their botanical and cactus gardens. We learned about pollinators, birds, and various flora and how many of them were edible or used for medicinal purposes