Carrizozo, New Mexico

What drew me to this little town in South Centra New Mexico wasn’t the town itself but the Valley of Fires lava flow.  It remains a vivid memory from a family vacation when I was young.  Only a couple of years ago did I take an opportunity to drive this way to Las Cruces for work and make a quick pass through town.  Unfortunately, the weather was unfavorable so I did not waste time in the rain at Valley of Fires.  I regret that because I do not know when I will return.

Meanwhile, Carrizozo has an interesting history, much of which has been well preserved. 

Jenny

Jenny shares the pasture down the road with the herd of cattle.  There two like her. 

Benjamin, Texas

The Knox County Courthouse in the photo of this post is found in Benjamin, Texas.  It is said that Benjamin is the only town named after someone struck by lightning.  According to John Troesser, Benjamin Bedford was the son of the town founder and first postmaster, Hilory H. Bedford.  (http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Benjamin/Benjamin.htm). 

As small as Benjamin is, I find something new each drive through town and there is always an interesting conversation to be had with one of the locals.  If you arrive at just the right time in the morning, the cowboys are driving with trailers in tow, going to and/or from work awaiting in the thousands of acres of ranchland.    

Peacock, Texas

The morning was early when I left Lubbock to Grayson County.  Early is important in order to hit as many off-the-beaten path towns, ghost towns, and cemetaries.   On rare occasions I take an atlas.  I had been on every single major route to Lubbock and back thus it was time to fine another way. 

Peacock is along Farm Road 2211 off Hwy 380 in Stonewall County.  The 380 is an interesting drive by itself.  But take a few small roads and the stories blur.  Who named Peacock?  Was it a family name since there are Peacock families in the area?  There are probably less then a hundred people here. 

I drove through town and on the few residential streets taking some photographs and notes.  A man and his wife in their senior years came out on the front porch and stood there with their coffee looking at me as I sat across the street takin some shots.  I waved.  They waved back.  Perhaps they are accustomed to people like me, photographers and notetakers collecting a splinter of their town’s life for a blog that only those who Google Peacock will find. 

Bronco, Texas

Considered a Texas Ghost Town, Bronco sits at the New Mexico-Texas state line at the junction of 380 and 769.   This photo shows  what remains of a gas station in Bronco.  Two years ago, I traveled at least monthly to Roswell, New Mexico from Lubbock and passed through what remains of this area. In the 90’s only 30 people lived there. Oil rigs and cattle ranches make up the landscape where the sky stretches from one end of the earth to the other. How I love it here.

A few good stories can be found Here

Eight Belles

Anytime a filly races in the Kentucky Derby, I will cheer for her.  Thirty eight fillies have started and only three have won.  Today, Eight Belles, my hopeful who placed second, was euthanized immediately following the race.  She broke both front ankles and it is impossible to rehab a horse with this kind of injury.  

This photo was taken just an hour after the race of one of the many roses in bloom off the porch. 

For Eight Belles:  May you run in greener pastures of heaven. 

Shadows of Iris

The month of May begins my new daily photo gallery called “May Days” over at my gallery.

Peacock

Annoyed by my lens, he turned away but only a second after I captured his head. His outrageous tail lay behind him. Hours later when he stood before us he opened and fanned out his tail only turning away from the cameras. I have that shot in my gallery but there are more important things to read like this: Peacocks In Somrset.  

Coke

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.
~Doug Firebaugh

Ford

Until I get a macro lens and a Duaflex camera, I shall learn how to create TtV (Through The Viewfinder) images through Photoshop and Paintshop Pro. Both are on my computer.  This is my first attempt with a photo I took today at a car show and there is something missing.  It’s too clean.  For my first, however, I am pleased.