From Dallas to Marfa, TX April 11-17

You can't go to Dallas without a visit to Southfork, or at least a drive by viewing.  Steve and I didn't see it, but Jon and Ric did on the way to Ric's relatives in NE Dallas.

John and Doug went to the 6th Floor Museum of the School Book Depository at Dealey Plaza.  The corner window of the museum was exactly the way it was when Oswald shot Kennedy.  We weren't allowed cameras, otherwise I could show the museum and views of  the motorcade route.

Doug & Steve and Ric & John were able to visit Darrell & Peter at their house in Westlake.  We had heard about it since they bought it and it was great to finally see it and their new office location in Grapevine.  Sorry, we didn't get pics.

What is Texas without oil?  On the way out of Dallas heading to Marfa, we staid in Midland TX, heart of the oil country.  Between Midland and Odessa it was all about drilling and fracking.

Oil derrick next to our RV Park in Midland

On the way to Marfa in SW Texas, the scenery was stunning as we drove through the prairies with the mountains in the distance.  We've seen this in movies many times.

Marfa is a small town, but it is home to some large art installations on the site of a former army base.  No photos allowed :-(  It also boasts no TV stations and only 1 radio station:  Marfa NPR.  A little scary on both accounts.

The office for check-in at the campground.
Very casual.

Wide-open spaces with big sky.
Dry and dusty.

Another claim to fame is the El Paisano Hotel.  The cast of GIANT stayed here while filming.  Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, etc.  The hotel looks the same today as it did then.

John enjoying a band and a glass of wine
in the courtyard of the El Paisano

The courthouse in the center of Marfa can be seen for miles around.  Visitors may also climb the staircase to the top for 360 degree views.

The jailhouse near the courthouse is just as old and beautiful, but not if you must stay for any length of time.  

Marfa is also a very spiritual place. A place to view the constellations and there is a phenomenon called the Marfa Orbs.  The orbs appear in the night sky and cannot be explained. They sightings are random so it is difficult to know when they will appear.  El Cosmico in Marfa is a "campground" and  has vintage trailers to rent as hotel rooms.

I knew there had to be one.
This is a group of churches in the SW