We set out on a road trip adventure
to Austin Texas
to celebrate our granddaughter turning two.
But we were determined to take
a Road Less Traveled
so we decided to drive through
located in West Texas near Big Bend.
Turning off the main highway coming from California
Marfa is two hours out
from what feels like anything.
Just huge, vast skies and plains.
We came up with the idea of spending the night in Marfa
out of curiosity
and
wanting to go somewhere completely new to us.
Marfa came up while researching our drive to Austin.
I have to admit turning off Interstate 10
it started to feel like a questionable idea
especially since all we really knew about the town
out in the middle of nowhere
was the
Art Installation
we had been seeing for years of the
It's a permanent sculptural art installation
built in 2005 by
Elmgreen and Dragset
The artists describe their work as a
"Pop Architectural Land Art Project"
Everyone who stopped at
was exceedingly friendly
from all over not only the country
but internationally as well.
Where did all of these people come from?
We had barely seen anyone on the road out.
But there was almost a feeling of kinship among everyone
an aknowledgement that we had all decided to make the trek out to this remote
Art Installation!
Marfa is also the famous location for the 1956 western movie
starring Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean,
It was Dean's final movie before his tragic death in a car accident.
This photo is of a new art installation at the site of filming.
A plywood tribute to the movie by artist
John Cerney in 2018.
I remember driving into Marfa the first day
wondering if this small town
so far off the beaten path
really had something to reveal to me.
Why the big fuss about a small town
that looked 'nice' from first glance.
I wondered if things would look different to me
before I left.
It was time to find our hotel and check in.
We had spent much time researching our hotel pick.
I am an anxious traveller by nature
and
am overly affected by my hotel room.
I cry with bad ones.
It's not pretty.
I'm not proud.
But it is what it is.
I am who I am.
I think it as much about expectations
as the room itself.
After much deliberation we chose
It did not disappoint.
We had a large spacious room, with good light
and
a window that opened.
Another must requirement for a hotel room
for me.
Fresh air is a definite must for me.
Even before the pandemic.
The American artist
is credited with bringing the
Art World
to Marfa
helping to turn
Marfa into the Art Mecca
it is today.
Judd moved from New York City
to
Marfa Texas
in 1972.
This decision took Marfa from a struggling town
which had fallen into a depressed state
after losing military bases after the war.
Judd bought up buildings for art installations
and
the Art Community followed.
Today almost forty years later
Marfa
is still a working cattle town
and a thriving
Art Mecca.
Just one of the many juxtapositions here.
Our view from our hotel room at the
Saint George
was sublime.
We had a lovely view of their iconic water tower
and
the freight trains that ramble by into the vastness of the plains.
My favorite part of the hotel was the gorgeous pool.
We ended up loving
and
so much we stayed several days more
on our return trip to California.
There is something in Marfa that completely
captured my soul.
And a great hotel only amplified the experience!
So many spots of innovative design and landscaping.in Marfa.
We were very impressed with the food choices.
Even though there were limited spots
the quality of what was open
definitely had an artisanal flair
almost everywhere.
Jeff and I have always had been intrigued with old buildings.
Marfa is full of them.
So many left behind in complete disrepair.
Each one with a story to tell.
Marfa has a remarkable array of photoshoot possibilities!
I was most surprised with the level of shopping
within the town.
Best curated selections I have seen in a long time.
Many from local arts in the area.
Especially
which has stunning pieces for the home.
another beautifully curated store
with a big hat collection
by long time NYC designer
John Patrick
He designs accessories to
'last a lifetime and resonate with a global audience'
Here you can find an impressive array of modern straws
made from palm straw
crafted by hand in Mexico.
Three of these beauties came home with me!
One of my favorite hat photo backdrop in Marfa ...
gigantic hay bales!
Marfa lighting
feels magical.
another siren song for artistic souls.
Varied beautiful architecture.
Built in 1930
Warner Brothers made the hotel their headquarters
for the 1955 filming of the now iconic movie Giant.
So many relics of the past still sing their haunting melody.
If your looking for a bit more adventure
than a hotel room can provide
welcome to
'A bohemian Nomad hotel'
Owned by the famed Bunkhouse Group
El Cosmico
offers the most unique of accommodations!
From sleeping in
a tent
teepee
vintage trailer
or even
a Yurt!
It's all here!
And of course you will find more amazing photo backdrops.
I brought this vintage silk dress with me
just for a photo shoot with my turquoise necklaces.
Jeff and I had the best couple time
creating artistic images
on our trip.
But Marfa was hands down the best
creative fun we have had shooting!
Their modular unit comes complete with an outdoor shower and patio.
calls this their 'hammock grove'
How wonderful does my favorite turquoise ring from
look styled here.
Talk about a statement piece.
It hails from London
but looks like it was made for Texas!
Marfa for me is the epitome of a
road trip
where the sky and plains seem to stretch out indefinitely!
Did you know I get some of my favorite hats at Saddlery shops.
Huge selections
Great prices for the quality!
We drove 30 minutes to the town of Alpine
to visit
What a gorgeous, authentic store!
Literally everything for the cowboy life!
We met Gary the owner
who has been at the store over 30 years
making the most exquisite saddles
that ship all around the world!
Sights like this always get my hat loving heart
a fluttering!
Here you can get a hat custom sized to fit!
Yes, this beauty came from a saddlery shop in Los Olivos California!
It's one of my very favorites to this day!
in Marfa
is one of my favorites
it offers coffee, cocktails, breakfast and lunch ....
And some more beautifully curated shopping!
also has an expansive outdoor area
with not one but two fire areas.
We met the most interesting people
just sitting around the fire.
People who had traveled far to be there
others
who grew up in town.
There is a slowness in Marfa
that is unusual to me.
But I found myself so drawn to it.
I don't know exactly what it was.
But maybe because the town was small
and
choices were more limited
(think three places to choose from for dinner while we were there)
that simple experiences became more meaningful.
I'm not sure.
But it has reawakened this artist's soul.
I felt a contentment there
that was unusual for me.
Maybe it was the slow pace
set in a majestic openness.
Maybe that it's an artist community
that attracts like souls.
Maybe it's being in the midst of a real cattle town
that feels exotic to someone
with a lifetime in suburbia.
Maybe that at night
you can see such an abundance of bright stars
that your heart aches
thinking
that you have missed this reality
your entire life.
Maybe it's the reminder
that there is a whole vast world out there
to be explored.
The old and new to be experienced.
Maybe I'm really asking myself
how I want to spend my remaining years.
Now that both of my parents are gone
and
the kids have all moved on
it's literally the first time since choosing a college
I feel I can pick up and move.
I felt a need to stay nearby my parents after my sister died.
I also knew when I had kids
I owed it to them to have extended family close.
Now the whole world is opened up.
I had a flash when I was in Marfa the first time.
What if I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in suburbia
with rules about what I could and couldn't do to my house.
What if I wanted to make a huge leap.
I really have no idea.
My house now is one of my great loves at this point in my life.
But it all felt so exciting
to even think about.
I found my new favorite backpack in Marfa
at the Sentinel as well.
Believe it or not I don't usually spend a lot of time shopping when we travel.
But we stayed several days on our return home
and
we kept stumbling onto the most amazing pieces
like
they were doing a slow reveal
and
suddenly called out.
Which is exactly what Marfa did for us.
The more time we spent there
the more we quietly discovered
and
fell in love with the town.
It is an enchanting town.
Full of juxtapositions.
The old and new.
The high and low.
Vast openness
with a feeling of cozy envelopment.
It's magical really.
And I still struggle for words
to fully express just what the magic is.
But can you ever really describe
true magic?
Maybe you just really need to experience it.
Until next time my dearest
Marfa.
I miss you so already.
I can't wait to return!
As always my friends
I wish you love and joy
as you style your life