Blog Archives

Orange doors: Marfa

021013 B&W

I saw these fantastic doors along West Lincoln Street, just west of Highland Avenue. In deference to regular readers of my blog, I am posting the black and white version first: I don’t want to startle anyone.

But I just couldn’t resist the color version. Check out that orange!

021013 Color

Marfa, Texas

photographed 1.18.2013

Things may not be as they appear

020913

Look! An old building! It’s been abandoned right here on the border for years. I bet it can tell you some tales – banditos crossing the river (in both directions!), shootouts, bad guys, good guys, love gained, love betrayed. Etc.

Only: it’s part of a movie set. It was built in 1985 for a movie called “Uphill all the Way” which starred Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, and Burl Ives. (The information sign indicated this movie was a “border-western comedy.” Whatever that means.) Since then, it’s been used for several other movies and music videos. Including this one by country music superstars Brooks and Dunn*, which you might want to watch it with the sound off, as it’s pretty twangy.

near Lajitas, Texas

photographed 1.20.2013

* I am pretty sure I am somehow legally obligated to include the words “county music superstars” with any reference to Brooks and Dunn. Better safe than sorry, I say.

Veterans for Peace

020813

While most of the graves at the Terlingua cemetery are from the 1930s and 40s, there are some newer ones. Like this one, with its Veterans for Peace badge.

Terlingua, Texas

photographed 1.20.2013

Outdoor plumbing

020713

On the other side of this building, is a nice little tableaux that includes corrugated metal, a pair of square windows, and a toilet. Although of course, the toilet isn’t functional: there’s not a flush lever. Yeah – that’s the only thing that keeps it from being operational.

Also, some might suggest (Ahem, Ehpem – I am looking at you) a certain Mondrian-esque quality to this shot. Perhaps another haiku is in order?

Lamesa, Texas

photographed 1.17.2013

Slide: Terlingua

020613

Maybe the saddest thing in Terlingua is this broken down slide. The sharp branches of winter-dormant plants crowd against the slide’s striped slope, which ends at a large rock.  The only tree in sight would do nothing to block the sun, which would heat the metal slide to dangerous levels in the summer.

It looks like lost dreams.

But maybe it doesn’t matter:  it’s a ghost town, after all.

Terlingua, Texas

photographed 1.20.2013