Marfa, Texas

a nice cool morning!

My rearview mirror camera overheated yesterday and getting a replacement was on my mind. It was from the mini USB connection which needed to be in a certain position but perhaps the heat melted the plastic so it was no longer in the right spot. It has been that hot. I tried troubleshooting it but couldn't get it to stay on. Amazon delivery for a replacement to this part of nowhere was five days away but Best Buy in Odessa, TX was the closest in stock so today had a zigzag route. But first, Marfa.

The film "Giant" with James Dean was filmed here. I have never seen it. Anthony Bourdain filmed an episode here and that's why I know about this place. Marfa, population 1700, was a water stop on the train line that became an center for minimalist art. Old buildings and storefronts have been reclaimed tourists are bringing money in.

We stopped so Christine could get a matcha foam thing at one of the converted old gas stations in town that has become a coffee shop and bike repair shop. 

We went to the Chinati Foundation but their next guided tour was 4 hours so we did a self guided tour at the untitled work of 15 groups of concrete blocks. 

I thought it was more interesting that this property was an old army airbase to protect the border from Pancho Villa. And housed German prisoners of war during World War 2.

We headed to Best Buy passing the oil fields in central Texas and marvelled at the boom town eruption of activity around Odessa fueled by black gold. There are even temporary lodging facilities we last saw in Dead horse, AK for those oil industry operators. 

We returned to the border and camped at Seminole Canyon State Park at sunset. Ellie wanted to hike down to the river but we convinced her the daylight was fading quickly and she returned. Dinner was udon noodles and spinach and pork.