picket fence in front of red building

 

Wolfforth, Texas

shiner, my new next-door neighbor

hitching post

 

On a recent trip home from Dallas, I detoured in Benjamin to drive by Wyman Meinzer's place.  For years, Wyman, also known as the State Photographer of Texas, lived in the original 1887 jail.  He later built a house and the jail became part of his compound.  As expected, Wyman's outdoor décor reflects his Western heritage and the landscape he calls the "Big Empty."

 

Benjamin, Texas

5.7.2016

heavy metals

 

Commercial Metals -- a junk yard by another name!  Reduce, recycle, reuse is the slogan for the metal recycler located outside New Deal.  The high steel fence can't obstruct the glimpse of the interior workings from the motorists on I-27.

 

New Deal, Texas

 



that'll be the day

 

Some 15 years ago, as part of the Regis Corridor Beautification Project, the north row of houses facing Regis Avenue was razed. Since Regis is the connector to I-27 from the airport, the purpose was  to make the first and last impressions of Lubbock for airport passengers more attractive.  The removal of houses left the alley and fences in view of travelers.  The original project planned for landscape plants and flowering trees on the south side of Regis -- that never happened.  So one resident has provided his own welcome sign for Lubbock visitors.

 

900 Block of Regis

Lubbock, Texas

through these gates

 

Ever wonder why cemeteries have gates?  Is it to allow or to deny access?  Who is being kept in or out?  Sometimes it's the cows.

 

Fluvanna Cemetery

2.20.2015

the olivers don't live here any more

 

Throughout the South Plains, vacant homesteads punctuate the farmland.  One wonders what hopes and dreams lie abandoned beyond the padlocked gate.

 

FM 2130

Hockley County, Texas

11.1.2015

 

picket fence at the church

 

In 1940 Spade, Texas has two churches.  Today both the First Baptist and Church of Christ are closed and overgrown with weeds.  Spade is a "census-designated place" with fewer than 100 residents.  The Spade Ranch had its headquarters nearby, thus the name.

 

Spade, Texas

Lamb County



wide open spaces

 

Route 207 from Silverton to Claude is scenic, going through Palo Dura Canyon, but there's not much to see.  Texas Highway 86 is 149 miles long -- from Bovina to Estelline.  You'll drive a ways on it going to Clarendon.  And you'll have time to ponder why the rancher/farmer named his place "Shinbone."

 

Highway 86 east of Claude, Texas

2.21.2014

 

 

"best for your engine"

 

North Ash Avenue is not necessarily a prestige address for business.  This owner probably didn't realize that vintage gasoline advertising signs might have some value.  Evidently the value to him was using the former advertising boards as a fence -- but to install them upside-down?

 

Fina Fence

1200 North Ash Avenue

Lubbock, Texas