Blog Archives
Fuel Center
I like maps. Real ones, I mean, printed on paper with holes worn in the folds. My preferred way to travel is to chart my own path from one of these maps, and I am almost positive that I am better at figuring a route than the navigation system in my car could ever be.
But the other day, I decided to take a route that my car suggested. It was completely out of character for me, and I can’t really explain what happened. Maybe I needed that weekend away more than I realized! At any rate, the nav system sent me through the tiny town of Coyanosa, which I’d never even heard of before. It was a good route – nice road, almost no traffic, and even some things to photograph, like this out-of-business fuel center. I am trying to convince myself that I could have found this route on the map, without satellite intervention….
Coyanosa, Texas
photographed 7.12.2015
Sad Trailer, 2
An interior shot of the same trailer from yesterday. That coffee mug on the counter makes me think the resident intended to return someday, but that could be my own pro-coffee confirmation bias.
Valentine, Texas
photographed 7.11.2015
Sad Trailer, 1
Someone’s former house, baking in the desert sun. And no chance of shade or redemption.
Valentine, Texas
photographed 7.11.2015
Boomtown Dining
It doesn’t seem that long ago that the road from Midland to Lamesa was narrow with nothing on either side but rangeland. The oil boom changed all that. Now the road has four lanes. There’s this diner, tiny in comparison with the size of the parking lot. And, of course, more stuff that looks like those tanks and buildings in the background.
Martin County, Texas
photographed 7.12.2015
When you need a train
As hard as it is to imagine when you see the town today, there used to be a rail line through Roaring Springs. It operated until 1981, and now the tracks are gone.
But the depot is still there. And so is this train signal. And it all reminded me of this fine Amanda Shires song “When You Need a Train it Never Comes”.
Roaring Springs, Texas
photographed 7.3.2015
Want some more Amanda Shires? She does a killer version of the Springsteen classic “Born in the USA” with her husband, Jason Isbell.
One Day | One Image 