After Marfa we headed North through El Paso to New Mexico for a couple of days in Truth or Consequences, NM.
We had our first hike round Elephant Butte, a state park in New Mexico.
Tough going as it was all soft sand.
Jakki cooling her feet in the Elephant Butte. Can't believe how cold the water is when it looks so inviting.
We ended the day in the Hot Springs that 'Truth or Consequences' is famous for, to ease away the aches and pains of sore muscles;
Quick quiz; Why is 'Truth or Consequences' called Truth or Consequences? (and no looking at Google or Wikipedia).
Just outside Marfa, Tx is the small town of Valentine (population 131). Very exciting for J as they are famous for their Prada store about a mile or so out of town.
The store is fully stocked;
The only problem is it's never open.
Another of those strange art installations in the middle of nowhere.
J had to leave disappointed (this time).
Marfa, Tx. Popn. 2121 http://www.visitmarfa.com/
This really is 'No Country for Old Men'
In this West Texas town you need to leave a guard on your car or 'There will be blood'.
We found a great food truck for lunch, The Food Shark;
Marfa is famous for its art and artists (and a Giant success at the Oscars) so we spent the day touring the Chinati art collections.
http://www.chinati.org/visit/collection/juddalummore.php
Quote from their website;
Chinati is an internationally known contemporary art museum founded by
minimalist artist Donald Judd. It exhibits large scale installations by
a limited number of artists on the grounds of Fort D. A. Russell and in
buildings in the town of Marfa. Chinati features paintings,
sculptures, poems, installations, drawings and other works by renowned
artists Donald Judd, John Chamberlain, Claus Oldenburg & Choose van
Bruggen, Dan Flavin, Ilya Kabakov, Roni Horn and many more.
Some really interesting concrete boxes in odd groups in a field;
And the most amazing collection of huge aluminum boxes in two warehouses;
Strange cloud formation over the art gallery housing the '100 untitled works in mill aluminum'.
Both the Concrete and Aluminum boxes are by Donald Judd.
Well worth a visit.
Having made it back to Houston, Tx on Monday 25th we had a few days to get ourselves sorted before starting the road-trip.
On Friday 29th March we left Houston looking for adventures;
We said our farewells to Harry as he waved us off;
I think he was a little upset with us leaving;
Then onto the I10 heading for rural west Texas;
550 miles and 10 hours later we arrived in Marfa Texas. http://www.visitmarfa.com/
The mountains to the east of the golf estate have been on fire all day sending huge plumes of smoke into the air, blotting out the sun.
A couple of hours ago the wind changed direction to blow the fire down the mountain. It now looks like the whole side of the mountain is aflame from Franschhoek to past the golf estate.
A little worried that we're staying in a thatched house tonight - I think I might sleep with a fire extinguisher by the side of the bed...
Just got another picture of the fire on the mountain with the full moon rising in the background;
