February 15, 2008
greetings from alpine, texas
[View of Apline, Texas from my dad's porch. Twin Peaks mountain in the background. Click on image to enlarge etc.]
[UPDATE: It seems my cellphone doesn't get coverage in West Texas. Please e-mail me if you're trying to get in touch. Thanks.]
I'm writing this from Alpine, Texas, where my dad lives. Hanging here for the next week or two. Hardcore West Texas, Brewster County. Miles away from anywhere, just how I like it [Movies like "Giant", "There Will Be Blood", "Dancer, Texas" and "No Country For Old Men" were all filmed 'round here... not to mention, the famous Marfa Lights.]. Blogging light for the next while. Off to NYNY after this. Rock on.
Fantastic image.
Posted by: Chris Griffith at February 16, 2008 2:58 AMNice view.
Posted by: Daniel Ted at February 16, 2008 3:13 AM"Hardcore West Texas" -- love that description, and it's so accurate. You're way out west in the Lone Star State. Enjoy the isolation and the slower pace.
Posted by: Connie Reece at February 16, 2008 3:16 AMAlpine is one of my favorite places in Texas. What an awesome place to relax and escape NY. Alpine City Limits and La Casita, are sure to good give you a great meal.
Posted by: Wolf at February 16, 2008 3:48 AMO I hate to be that guy, but it's "No Country for Old Men" as opposed to "Place".
Posted by: Jeph at February 16, 2008 8:28 AMYou know I've never been to Texas myself. Looking forward to it. Maybe someday. Never knew about the Marfa lights. I'll bet a lot of that triggered the old "Project Bluebook" calls in the '50s... ;)
I wonder what would happen if somebody had seen the "Northern Lights" back then?
"It's An Invasion!"
Keep up the good work sir! Love your Big Blue Monster... :)
Posted by: Sean Kearney at February 16, 2008 2:32 PMWelcome to Texas, sir. I'm up past Dallas in a the small town of Emory, Texas. hope you enjoy your stay and visiting with your father.
Posted by: Dick at February 16, 2008 4:53 PMAhh, I'm tempted to drive from Dallas to meet up with you Hugh.. I love the Alpine/Marfa area... great art and scenery.
If only I had 8 hours to spare (and that's just one way). People sometimes forget just how big Texas really is.
Posted by: Brian Clark at February 16, 2008 6:26 PMI always think that "home" is imprinted on us like those little goslings imprint on a human hand and follow it around instead of their mum.
You always know when "you are home" - or at least your body does.
Have a fine time.
Posted by: Jo at February 16, 2008 6:40 PMThe cokes are on ice in the shed when you get back.Have a good time mate.
Posted by: griff at February 16, 2008 8:45 PMThe real question is did you toss all the city slicker clothes and are in you in boots, jeans, and a nice Stetson? Better have a cold long neck while you are there.
Now I know why you're good people.
Keith Combs
Southlake, Texas
Welcome to the area!
Posted by: Jer at February 17, 2008 11:31 AMI drove across the Texas panhandle back when the feds had first dropped the speed limit to 55. I drove with my foot to the floor. Not sure how fast we were going, the speedometer only went up to 90. The only thing the Texas Rangers seemed concerned about was that I and the other "slower traffic" kept to the right lane and left the left lane open for the Rangers as they blew on by us like we were standing still.
Things are different in Texas.
Posted by: John at February 17, 2008 4:20 PMWe drive by Alpine four times a year on my "commute" from San Antonio to University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I often think about how nice it would be to "be there" in Alpine.
Not that long ago, it was still a two-newspaper town, perhaps because some other journalists kinda liked it there, too.
The sky is bigger, and the view is splendid. Makes you want to just set a spell and soak it all in ...
Enjoy!
wow cool.
i have friends in odessa, and my folks (parents, and a lot of my dad's side of the family) in abilene.
hard core west texas indeed.
small world.
enjoy alpine!