Blog Archives
Unmarked
It’s mostly a ghost town now, but at one point the place had six silver mines and a population of around 4,000. (The 2000 census listed the population at 11; I’d guess that by now the population is in single digits.)
But the cemetery is sizable. It’s also rugged, with cactus and mesquite trees alongside rocked-topped graves. Most of the graves are marked with simple wooden crosses, none of which have any identifying information on them. And, oddly, in a town with almost no inhabitants, the paint on most of the crosses appears to be fairly new. But someone paints them…
Shafter, Texas
photographed 12.22.2018
Those locks
You know, if you’ve been here very long, that I will always try to look around the backs of places that I visit.
And so, here’s what is behind the famous Prada Marfa installation near Valentine, Texas. Because I figured you were wondering…
Valentine, Texas
photographed 12.22.2018
…but you CAN leave furniture
If only that sign had been one letter wider…
Fort Stockton, Texas
photographed 12.25.2018
Another unnamed building
Here’s something to try for fun: first, let someone drive you around in an unfamiliar town, on a road that’s not really on a map. Then notice a building that you’d like to photograph. Make sure you’re in a situation where you can’t stop to get the shot. And, then, a few days later, try to find it again.There are bonus points if you can give your Patient Spouse (who is in an unfamiliar role as navigator) vague directions like “maybe the cross street is called Industrial?” or “there were some crosses by the railroad crossing.” And lots of bonus points if you get to town so late in the afternoon that it’s too dark anyway (because it’s solstice, after all). And then the regular number of points if you go back again on another day, have a bit of a “discussion” with the Patient Spouse about how to find the place, but since he’s driving and you’re navigating, then you eventually do locate it.
Just think of the fun!
Also, this: my first thought when we actually did locate the damn thing was that it wasn’t even worth the effort. But by then I was committed to getting the shot, whether or not it was worth it. I’m stubborn that way…
Midland, Texas
photographed 12.25.2018
(but attempted 12.17.2018 and 12.21.2018)
