Way out there in far west Texas, in the middle of the desert, a sign advertising tube rentals and swim wear does seem a little bit out of place. But only until you notice that just across the road is a beautiful spring-fed desert oasis. Then things start to make a little bit more sense.

near Toyahvale, Texas
photographed 3.24.2021

Plan ahead, if you want to go to Barstow, Texas, because not every place will take credit or debit cards. Also, I don’t think Venmo is an option at this particular location.

Barstow, Texas
photographed 3.24.2021

A mirror. I found a mirror in the corner of what’s left of this building. The ceiling was gone and so was the roof. None of the windows had any glass left in them. But the mirror was fine.

Sometimes it is hard to understand what I find.

Barstow, Texas
photographed 3.24.2021

Those two bottles of Coke (the good kind, from Mexico, it looks like) are keeping each other company on the bottom shelf of the cooler.

But also: what happened to the carpet? It looks as if disaster has struck.

Pyote, Texas
photographed 3.24.2021