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campfire biscuits
Cowboy poetry was the stated reason for the trip. And it was definitely worth it.
But, truly, the best part of the whole deal was the morning chuckwagon breakfasts. Everyone was friendly and easy to talk to, there were lots of things and people to photograph, and dammit, those were some good biscuits.
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Alpine, Texas
photographed 2.22.2025
harpist
We found this place the first night we were in town, and by the time we left four days later, we’d been there often enough to have a regular drink order, know the names of the servers and the manager, and have opinions on the menu offerings.
The last night that we visited, there was live music, including this gentleman who was giving it everything he had.
(This magic place: Alcove Social. But the neon sign outside says Saddle Club. Tell ’em we said hello.)
Alpine, Texas
photographed 2.21.2025
fire/light
I don’t know even one thing about the technical part of lighting for portraits.
But what I do know is that the flames from a nearby campfire provide a nice warm light for this cowboy’s face.
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Alpine, Texas
photographed 2.22.2025
sam
I ended the photos from Sicily with Claudio, a storyteller.
And now I’d like to introduce you to Sam, who is also a storyteller. He was the cowboy in charge of the chuckwagon breakfasts during a cowboy poetry gathering. And when he had a few spare minutes between overseeing campfires, Dutch ovens, biscuits, and so forth he was happy to tell some tales. Some were probably true, and others were like to have been tall. But it didn’t matter: we were having a great time.
On the surface it might seem like he doesn’t have anything in common with my Sicilian pal Claudio, but they share a quiet graciousness, an understated confidence in what they do, and an open and approachable personality.
And Sam also has the world’s oldest cowboy hat.
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Alpine, Texas
photographed 2.22.2025
claudio, the storyteller
So, part two of my story of the amazing day…
This is Claudio in the middle of telling a story. He’s handsome, expressive, with a personality for days, and clearly loves his family and his life. In welcoming us to him home, he acted like it was the very best thing that had ever happened – like gracious hosts do. He was proud of his place and of his family. And he was so dear and so genuine about sharing it with us. I’ve never been made to feel so much like part of a family as I did that day.
It’s hard to explain.
People often ask me what my favorite part of Sicily was; that’s a hard question to answer, because so many things were just outstanding, but if I am honest a simply-prepared lunch in the mountains with people who opened their house and their hearts to us and who seemed as delighted by what transpired as we were was the best part.
Sure, golden cathedrals are something to see. And so are ancient ruins and big open-air markets and religious processions and all the other things we saw. But those are things we SAW and this day with Claudio and Rosella was something that we FELT. And I hope I never forget the magic of it.
Pallazzolo Acreide , Sicily
photographed 1.27.2025
One Day | One Image 