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Rooflines
I guess that we all knew it was just a matter of time before I posted another shot taken in an alley.
This alley is just off the main street in Marfa; I took the photograph at the request of my traveling companion. I add that to try to show that I am NOT the only one walking around alleys. But my companion would probably not have been in the alley unless I’d turned down it first, so my position re. alleys remains a little weak.
Marfa, Texas
photographed 1.18.2013
Important Update/Rebuttal
The previously-mentioned traveling companion offers the following rebuttal re. alleys and my allegations regarding her use – or lack – of them. Also, her daughter’s name is Allison, which will make sense in a minute:
As a New Orleans native, I absolutely and without reservation argue that I discovered and appreciated alleys long before you, despite both your greater number of trips around the sun and your upbringing in the ever fascinating country of West Texas.
To wit: every space between the shotgun houses of my youth is an alley; I personally explored most of the ones between St. Charles and Magazine, Audubon Park and jJefferson Avenue in my first ten years and haven’t stopped loving that alley feeling since.
Alleys were for forts, hiding, eating candy from Mr. Landry’s so your mother wouldn’t take it away (and eat it herself!), games of little boys and girls, playing our own home grown version of tag called “infintrationality,” hiding, walking through to look for discarded stuff.
Alleys are literally cooler and I remember that physical sense of relief in getting out of the sun.
Also: I named my second child what?
I think she rests her case!
An alley? Yes, please!
I can’t think why it took me until about five months ago to figure out how fascinating alleys are. But I did finally get it, and so here’s another one.
It goes with ones in Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Lubbock, Austin and – well, you get the idea.
Alpine, Texas
photographed 1.18.2013
Three arches
Another scene from an alley, this time in Austin.
I like the little window air conditioner. And I like the scraggly tree, trying to make a go of it, even though it’s not likely anyone tends to it. I like the metal door. I like the texture of the wood at the top of the building and how it contrasts with the brick.
But mostly I like the three arched openings and the way they’ve been bricked in.
Austin, Texas
photographed 12.21.12
March 10
I found this gem in the alley between West California Street and West Mississippi Street, just off South Main Street.
Floydada, Texas
(By the way, Google maps indicates that there’s no other town named “Floydada.” But, if you recall from a few days ago, Google can be wrong. However, in this case, MapQuest concurs. So I think it is safe for us to assume that there is just the one Floydada. You will probably rest a lot easier tonight, now that we’ve cleared that up.)
One Day | One Image 