As it was getting toward evening Saturday night, Chelsea and I decided to take a walk around Marfa. This was the point in our trip where we talked a lot about life and where we see the future, faith, God and family. As we rounded a corner we saw this small stone church and Chelsea asked if we could go up to it. She was satisfied that her suspicion was true, it was in fact an Episcopal church. Chelsea was raised Episcopal and is in a period of spiritual exploration as she tries to land in her adult church. Anyway, no one was around so we tried the door. It was open. Despite Chelsea's concern that we might be tripping some sort of silent alarm, we went inside. The sanctuary was still and empty inside and seats maybe 100. It's pretty small. I told Chels that this is the kind of place I want to get married because I wouldn't be overwhelmed with the number of available seats for guests. The church windows were colorfully illustrated biblical scenes. We walked around for a few quiet moment before letting ourselves out and continuing on.
Dancing at The Post in Marathon, Texas
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPJTbjyEz84&w=560&h=315] Friday morning, Chelsea and I were told that we needed to go to The Post in Marathon to meet all of the "strapping young cowboys" by our guide director at Far Flung.
Saturday evening, late-late by my standards, Chelsea and I left Marfa and headed out toward Marathon. We hadn't eaten yet because we were waiting on the famous grilled cheese in Marfa. When we got around to checking out the Grilled Cheese Parlor, however, we found out that the wait would be around 30 minutes to get a sandwich and they only took cash or check.
So, we did what every good American would do and we went to Dairy Queen. I tell you what, the chicken fingers were hot off the fryer even five minutes before they closed. And if you get the chance, check out the S'mores Blizzard, it's the bomb.
It would have taken us around 40 minutes to get to The Post, but it turns out it's not on any published map (do as the locals do and ask). So we burned some time driving around and getting lost. Finally, we stopped by The Gage Hotel and I ran in to ask. I was surprised to find that our waitress Meghan, from a few nights before was working the bar. She gave me directions and told me that "everyone in town will be there."
Her directions were as follows: "Take a right at the railroad tracks and drive for about two miles." Um, make that 10-15 miles in the middle of nowhere with no lights. The only reason that Chelsea and I kept trucking was that we get being passed by cars going in the opposite direction. That seemed hopeful.
Finally we arrived. Chelsea and I both thought that we were going to a two-stepping bar. What we didn't realize was that we were really going to a community gathering. It wasn't a bar at all. There were grandparents and grandchildren and high schoolers. There were popular kids and misfits. It was a scene. People were sitting on lawn chairs, popping beers out of coolers. Chelsea and I found a space on a cement bench and watched.
There was a live band and a big cement block that people were dancing on. After some rag tag Texas Country, they played "Sweet Home Alabama" and I knew that these people were alright and everything was OK.
Sarah's 6 Picks for Colorado Summer Playlists
Temperatures are rising making it the perfect time to pick tunes that will get you through this 'cruel, cruel summer'. Below are a few songs that make me think of riding bikes, evenings in the park, mountain exploring and brewery hoping with friends. Essentially all things that populate a Colorado summer.
With Colorado's 300 sum odd days of sunshine it is hard not to want to 'Go Outside' every day of the week and this cheery little tune provides the perfect inspiration that will have you running to the nearest exit.
Young Blood - The Naked and The Famous
This song started on my skiing mix this last winter but with the warming weather it has become a staple in my anything outdoor playlist. When I hear this song I am instantly transported to running full speed through winding dirt trails along Colorado's front range with the city to my left and the Rockies to my right.
Indigo Girls will always have a special place in my heart. This song in particular I associate with summer fun in the sun. In fact on my first camping trip this summer my friend Mckenzie and I were driving back and this song came on the radio and we both starting belting it out. That is when I knew we would be close friends. Even if it was an entirely cliche moment, it was still summer-tastic.
Dreamy and whimsical music often feels my heart when I find myself enjoying everything Colorado has to offer. For me, this song inspires thoughts of silent mountain vistas and friends hanging around a campfire laughing. Life really can't get any better than laughter, love, and mountains.
Journey through the past (Neil Young cover) - James Mercer
When I hear this song it reminds me of sitting around a dying campfire with good friends. Each of us is silent in smoldering reflection as the smoke rises and the embers crack and spit.
Rocky Mountain High - John Denver
Last but certainly not least this classic Colorado summer song. It doesn't matter who I am with, when this song comes on everyone in ear shot takes pause as if it were some sort of anthem. It is in these moments that I am grateful that life has brought me to this spectacular place and that I am lucky enough to call it home. In reality who could be unhappy with great beer, delectable food and mountain vistas.
Cheers! May your summer be filled with good company, grand adventures, and unbounded love.
Really? Cop edition
Wednesday midafternoon in the office fighting off a small headache. We’re entering that time of year in Texas when it is still cool enough to do stuff outside, but hot enough to do it sporting a swimsuit.
This weekend, J, J’s friend from grad school and I piled into J’s SUV to ride down to San Marcos for the first river float of the season.
On the way up, unfortunately, J got pulled over for speeding. We were sooo close to San Marcos, going through a very small town called Martindale. We’d been following behind a slow truck towing a boat for quite a ways, so when we were finally were safe to pass J hit the accelerator and went around. Just as we were merging back into our lane, a cop comes out of nowhere and throws his lights on. It was really one of those, “are you kidding me?” moments.
The cop was a jerk. Do they make small town cops that aren’t? He asked leading and open-ended questions. He said he clocked J at a number that seems impossible. Now, I’m not saying we were not at fault. We were speeding. But there was no reason this guy had to be such a…typical small town cop. Really, dude? This is your impression of Martindale that you want to leave?
J swears that when his court date comes that he will drive up to the town and defend his case. Well, I secretly hope that he cools off by then and doesn’t. Because really, that cop doesn’t have anything better to do and will likely show up in court, guns blazing. And put yourself in a situation to be belittled by that guy again? I don’t think so. I’d rather pay the fine and take defensive driving any day.
Life in Alaska
Mom and Dad have lived in Alaska for six years since work took them to the largest state in the union. Since then, Mom has become quite the nature, food and lifestyle photographer.
