Places in Texas

So, we left off in Alpine, TX.  What's else is there do near Alpine. Well, Marfa, TX is nearby. Everyone who makes the long ride to Marfa pretty much has the same reaction. They don't get what the big deal is. The town has become known as an art mecca. But, on the day we arrived there was just big bright blue sky, some motels, a bunch of adobe style houses, an aging Dairy Queen, and empty streets. Restaurants weren't open, in fact, we ended up at that aging Dairy Queen.  The current connection with art started in the early 70's  when Donald Judd bought a block of former Army buildings and turned them into a permanent home for his art. Judd died in 1994, but the town continues to draw the international art world  and sustains a  colony of new artists who support 12 permanent galleries.  Good restaurants are in town, but not on Mondays. Still some great architecture and scenes that are reminiscent of "The Last Picture Show",

The one shining spot is the Paisano Hotel.

Beautifully restored and with the most amazing gift shops I have seen anywhere.

Jo had to head to Philly for family reasons and Odessa was the closest airport. So, we headed up there and Jack and I spent about a week as bachelors. Odessa is what you have heard. DEPRESSING! The downturn in oil has decimated this community. Hundreds of unused oil rigs and thousands of unemployed. Quite frankly, not much to see or do.

Jo got back and we headed back to Alpine for another week. We then started our drive to Carlsbad, NM and the caverns. Less than one hour out, the snow started again and it came down hard and fast. We managed to get the last spot at a campground in Ft. Stockton, TX and spent a couple of days waiting for the snow to melt.

Next stop....Carlsbad New Mexico