Big Bend / Terlingua / Lajitas / Marfa

April 11

For Marie

We climbed to a grave marker perched on the top of a hill in the middle of nowhere in Big Bend. The views spectacular. The grave site is one of the few visible traces of Curtis and Nina Hannold’s pioneer homestead. They moved here in 1908 in covered wagon from Oklahoma. Nina passed away at 29 from uremic poisoning. She was pregnant with her fourth child. She asked to be buried on the hill overlooking the spring where she often read to her children under the shade of a cottonwood.

The cottonwood long gone I take in her view and am left with the beauty of her world and the pain of her struggle.

More Big Bend

Boquillas Canyon overlook and Rio Grande River. Across the river Boquillas del Carmen in Mexico. The idea of a wall ludicrous.

The stillness, quiet and blackness of night are the beauties lost in our city living. As I leave Big Bend am reminded that I am but a speck of dust on this vast planet.

Terlingua – ghost town

Ate at the Starlight Theatre after pulling Arnie out of jail. Great dinner – even better margaritas.

April 12

Lajitas – The gorgeous tree is the Palo Amarillo which grow all along the Rio Grande and roads. Their vibrant yellow is a break from the wheat colored fields and bleached rock.

Drove scenic Hwy 170 along the Rio Grande all the way to Presidio.

Elephant Rock

 

Marfa

In the middle of nowhere lies this gem. We ate an OMG dinner at Stellina’s then out to view the Marfa lights. We saw the lights (although convinced they are from distant cars) and enjoyed the camaraderie of the many present to witness an alien abduction. We did enjoy the sunset.

8 thoughts on “Big Bend / Terlingua / Lajitas / Marfa”

  1. “She was pregnant with her fourth child. She asked to be buried on the hill overlooking the spring where she often read to her children under the shade of a cottonwood.” One could cry just thinking about it. And early death was routine then. So different today in ways wonderful and awful.

  2. “The stillness, quiet and blackness of night are the beauties lost in our city living. As I leave Big Bend am reminded that I am but a speck of dust on this vast planet.” Powerful words. Powerful experience. Beautiful and true.

  3. “Boquillas Canyon overlook and Rio Grande River. Across the river Boquillas del Carmen in Mexico. The idea of a wall ludicrous.” 🙄

  4. “Lajitas – The gorgeous tree is the Palo Amarillo which grow all along the Rio Grande and roads.” I am pretty upset asked with thoughts about life years ago when our country was natureful instead of billboardsful. An unspeakable difference.

  5. “the Marfa lights”. This is so cute; I saw Marfa and thought you were going to direct something to Martha, whom we sometimes called Marfa. ☺️

  6. Hey Smiths,

    Isn’t Marfa near where they filmed the movie, “Giant?” Am I getting this confused with someplace else?

  7. Oh my, your images bring back so many fond memories. We took this exact same route from Big Bend to Terlingua and Marfa back in 2010. Your photos are stunning and beautiful. I can’t wait to see where you will be led next. Keep these posts coming!!! Your blog looks FABULOUS!!! Love you guys

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