by Lucy on September 23, 2006
Sunrise over Texas. It just doesn’t get any better than this. What a great example of “purple mountains majesty”, but who would thunk that there were purple mountains in Texas?!
Remembering that the air was cool and crisp. The desert smelled like the most fragrant incense — just like the Church at Christmas!
On the road from Ft Stockton to Alpine at the edge of the Chihuahua Desert and Big Bend National Park.
We are astounded at the desert in bloom. Abundant rains in Texas this year brought the whole countryside to life. It was truly a gift to see these marvelous flowers in September.
by Lucy on September 23, 2006
We know that there are cougars (aka pumas) in these thar hills, but they are only pictures and words until we see the roadside tracks of a cat! Wet sand beside the fence reveals a perfect set of these tracks, with back feet touching the print of the front feet.
We think this is a big cat, until we get to the hotel in Marathon the next day and see the nice stuffed kitties in the “Casa de Reposa” at the old Gage Hotel. We realize then that we have only seen the tracks of a small Mexican lion — perhaps only 100 pounds worth! What pretty kitties these are. I marvel at how close we came to seeing one, perhaps returning to their den after a night of hunting mouses in the desert. I am lucky that one of these does not live at my house. I can imagine them bringing their prey into the dining room — say, a small calf or a goat or a hapless sheep.
by Lucy on September 23, 2006
What an adventure to see this wonderful old hotel, where Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, and others of the cast stayed during the filming of “Giant” in this area! It’s like an oasis in the desert.
I get very busy scouring the little shops off the lobby for treasures, and there are MANY to be had. We almost have to stop and print more money! A black jet necklace dripping with colorful baubles, guaranteed to make you look like a Bonny Fide Hooker. Sculptured families made of tiny rocks — they spoke to me! Candlesticks of colored glass. Bins of homemade soap. One of everything made in cowhide.
I came away with a hand-tooled leather pocketbook with many small zippered hide-y places. And [of course] a book on Texas.
While recovering from the shock of the early morning shopping expedition, R managed to get a nice buffy photo and these great shots of the hotel’s facade.
Visit the Hotel Paisano website to see more of this historic property and learn about it’s fascinating past.
