Four more days until a Marfalafel

February 25th, 2011

But who’s counting?

Well when it comes to the return to business for Food Shark, the truck by the tracks that serves up desert-inspired delights, it seems many a Marfa mouth is watering.

Take, for example, the Facebook post of Tim Johnson, over at Marfa Book Co. Today, the end of the third full week …

Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest

February 24th, 2011

A total 182 mountain bike riders came from as far away as Canada, Oregon, Utah, Rhode Island, Iowa, New York and as close as Alpine, Marfa, El Paso, and Austin to take part in the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest this past weekend in Big Bend Ranch State Park. The three-day event was hosted by

A new king and queen in Marfa

February 21st, 2011

An enthusiastic crowd turned out to the USO building in Marfa Saturday night for the coronation of this year’s King and Queen of Hearts. The annual event, organized by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marfa, raises funds to benefit the church.

Check out this clip of the royalty and …

New owner of old Marfa building plans retail space

February 18th, 2011

Dr. Joseph Mack Gould, the Alpine foot doctor, is the proud new owner of the former Dollar General building in Marfa.

I spotted him working there several weekends ago, a crew of one, chopping away at the weeds in front of the place, and chipping away and all the needs of the rest of the edifice: …

Catching the light with Gary Nored

February 18th, 2011

I blogged a few weeks ago about a nature dispatch from naturalist Gary Nored, who lives in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Gary had just kicked off “An Eye for Texas,” a blog of his own, and there’s plenty more to see there as another winter month draws to a close.

He …

A graphic look at population

February 18th, 2011

Sure, it can feel all big desert and not many folks out here in the Big Bend. But little ol’ Loving County, up along the Far West Texas border with New Mexico, has all the big counties beat when it comes to having a small population. The cute little county clocked in at 82 residents …

Valentine’s Day diva grams

February 16th, 2011

Marfa’s very own opera singer, Julie Haines, delivered Valentine’s Day wishes in the form of classical arias, courtesy of Marfa Public Radio. Julie serenaded Marfa National Bank President Chip Love, from his wife, Barbara; Marfa Book Co. owner Tim Johnson, from Eugene Sepulveda; Big Bend Sentinel owner Robert Halpern, from his wife, Rosario; and even …

Hello, Strangers: Couchsurfing in the high desert

February 13th, 2011

Wednesday night a pair of complete strangers knocked on my front door in Marfa. Two young women from Portland came in out of the freezing cold, sat by the fire and chatted for awhile about their travels. Then they went to sleep on the couch before hitting the road again early the next morning.

Sonia and …