2023-9-15 A Visit to Marfa TX

Our tour on Friday took us to Marfa Texas home of the famous Marfa lights. We went in the daytime but a few women went back to the Marfa lights reviewing area and a couple of them claimed to see them. My friend Carolyn and I camped in our RVs overnight at the viewing area a few years ago We saw lights, lots of lights, but they were in the form of a huge thunder storm with a lot of lightning. The sky was definitely lit up but that was the only light we saw.

Along with every other town in Texas, Marfa has a big beautiful courthouse.

One sight you definitely don't want to miss in Marfa is the beautiful el Paisano hotel.

It's beautiful from any side.

But the side with the court yard entry is especially nice.

The court yard contains a beautiful fountain. with palm trees and patio tables.

Right off the grand ballroom, you will find a lovely pool. It's not huge but the setting is perfect.

There are beautiful sitting areas for visitors.

There is even a small shopping corridor.

The 1956 movie "Giant" starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean was filmed here in Marfa and in the El Paisano hotel. Ther is a big display in the hallway.

Another view of the lovely court yard.

And a display in one of the hotel shops. Everyone in the hotel was very friendly and happy to answer any questions.

Other buildings were also interesting.

Ever been to a "Wrong" store?

The architecture on this building was also very interesting.

Next we were off to see the Prada store but along the way we saw this interesting sight.

We were also surprised to see this huge display from the movie Giant". From a distance, this looked like sculptures but when we got up close, the displays were actually flat. they were really good and when we stopped and got out of the vehicle, we could hear music from the movie playing.

Ah, the Prada store. For those that don't know, this is really a famous art display not an actual store. There are no clerks, the windows are heavy plexiglass and the door is locked tight.

But there are real Prada shoes and purses on display. The store is actually about 15 miles from Marfa on the road to Van Horn.

There is a fence around the sides and back of the store and there are locks covering almost every wire on the fence.

I saw this poster. It isn't true, we will be back.

 

The Marfa Lights....What do you think?

The next morning we headed out but there was a delay in departure. Mary Jane was leaving us and heading over to Tucson to visit children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren while Carolyn and I were headed to Big Bend country. Unfortunately, when Mary Jane started up her RV the lights weren't working. She thought it might be the cord going to her toad but we quickly eliminated that since the lights on the RV itself weren't working. We found a fuse under the dash that might be the problem so Carolyn changed that out but it didn't help. Next began the search for a mobile technician. Mary Jane found one that would come out fairly quickly. Guess what, we learned that there are another whole set of fuses hidden under a cover under the hood. Most of them are much larger than what we carry but the tech had one. He not only replaced it but recommended an inexpensive testing tool and showed us how to use it. After that, we all hit the road going east or west.

We made it through El Paso without any problems. Carolyn was surprised when we ran into an inspection station where everyone was pulled over. I told her it was very common as you could see Mexico right across the river. It didn't take long to get through and we were on our way again.

Van Horn was on our original plan as a possible overnight stop.....only because there are very few places to stop along the way. Carolyn pulled into a big station to get diesel and her battery light came on. Since she had just replaced it not long ago, she pulled out her manual to see what else might be causing it. She pulled out of the station to an open lot across the street. There was a sign that there was a mechanic there but no one answered her knock. She called the number on the door and got someone who asked if a certain vehicle was there. When she said yes, he told her to just keep banging as he was probably sleeping......not a good recommendation as far as we were concerned. I found another place on my cell and we drove a couple of blocks there. Two very nice young men checked it out and said they thought it was most likely the alternator but, unfortunately, they worked on fleet semi's. One of them called a friend who was very busy and then said his other friend was just down the block and he was very good too. Carolyn told him not to send her to anyplace he wouldn't send his mother. The guy said he was at the parts shop but would be right back. In the meantime, he checked and found that the parts store actually had the part she needed in stock. We went down the street to his shop and parked where he told us to park. An hour later, he had the new alternator in and we were good to go.

Since it was still mid afternoon, we decided to head on down the road. Carolyn was leading and she was past the Prada Store before I could get her stopped. I thought it was closer to Marfa but it is actually north of Valentine. People were stopped taking photos but it was too late to turn around. In case you don't know, it is actually an art project not a real store.

So we headed on to Marfa. Marfa has some history.....

But most people stop to see the Marfa Lights. The state has a very nice area set up like a rest area with picnic tables, etc. We arrived early and decided to spend the night since there was plenty of room.

The viewing area has a nice raised platform, restrooms, and free telescopes.

We walked around the area and read all the information while it was still light. And then we fixed dinner.

You can believe what you want about the lights. Some say they are carlights on a highway but there is no highway there and the lights have been seen since the 1800's.

The sky was getting darker.

Harley was out and about with us.

It is an interesting place.

More people arrived as it got later.

Check out that sky.

While the end of the story is that we didn't see the lights because we had a monsoon of a rain and the skies were lit most of the night with lightning. I woke up several times during the night for a potty break and I looked out the window next to my bed but saw nothing but lightning.

Fortunately, it was pretty clear the next morning. A couple of other RVs and a semi pulled in behind us during the night. On to Terlingua!

Dave and Steve's Excellent Grom Adventure

Since the Traveling Longdogs and I were not along on this adventure, all I can do is to write about what I have been told. Of course, that is probably not the whole story.....   Packing the Groms into the Tundra for the first leg of the trip to Alpine, TX,  Groms, in case you didn't know, are little motorcycles that ride big.

Some people are better at smiling for photos than others.

 

I think this was a lunch stop. 

Sights in Alpine where they spent the first night and left the Tundra for the rest of the trip.

The next morning, the Groms and their riders headed south towards Presidio with a stop at Marfa on the way.

They even got stopped by the "popo" in Marfa but only because the sheriff really liked their bikes and wanted one like them himself.

On the road again towards Presidio.

They left the bikes on the U.S. side and walked across the border to Mexico. Unfortunately, they couldn't even find a place to buy a soda so it was a bust.

Back in Texas again.

In Presidio, the bikes were safely tucked into the motel room for the night.

 

And then the road on around towards Terlingua. 

All the comforts of home.

They checked out the front of the State Park but decided not to make the 30 mile trip in on the gravel road.

Great views.

Texas style rest area provides some nice shade.

Ah, back to Big Bend......a favorite place.

They stayed in a motel in Study Butte between Terlingua and Big Bend. I think this is over by the Starlight Theater in Terlingua.

I know this is the Starlight. It was a theater in a past life but now is a restaurant with entertainment.

In front of the Starlight relaxing, lol.

This is the legal border crossing into Mexico at Boquillas in Big Bend National Park. And, yes, you do have to have a passport!

Once you are across, you have about a mile into Boquillas. You can walk, ride a donkey, or may be able to get a ride in an old pickup.

Touring Big Bend itself.

And, yes, this is just one of the mountains in Texas.

 

Then it was back to Alpine for the night. Well, after a slight delay. Steve had a bit of a problem with his motorcycle so he rode his Dad's back up to Alpine, loaded it into the Tundra, and then drove back to pick up his Dad. I think it was a long wait for both of them but they still had a great trip. And Steve's motorcycle is back to normal. Seems like the little Grom didn't like some of the performance upgrades Steve put on it so it is back to stock and ready to roll.