It was summer 2009, and Mom was pining a visit with her mom, my Grandma Cruzita. So with Kurt’s blessing, the kids and I joined her, hopping on a plane headed west. The three hour drive from the airport to Grandma’s was fairly uneventful: blue skies, open, arid ranges, sprinkled with a few lowly antelopes. … More Prada Marfa
Growing up in small town Arkansas, I will be the first to admit that my exposure to the fine arts was very limited. We had a set of encyclopedias (yep, this was waaay before the internet); therefore, well known paintings and sculptures by Michelangelo, Picasso, and the like were at my fingertips. On occasion, perusing … More Art In Marfa
Spending Christmases in Marfa growing up, one would think that I would have been privy to information on one of the draws of this tiny Texas town: the Marfa Mystery Lights. However, it was a subject that didn’t come up at the Zubiate dining table, that is, until Kurt began sharing meals there. But, once … More Marfa Mystery Lights
As we entered the Texas panhandle last fall on our journey to New Mexico, our stomachs were growling as the noontime hour approached. So what’s a couple to do? Using my handy dandy TripAdvisor App, I scoured the restaurant reviews for some recommended eating establishments. This action led us to the interesting town of Shamrock, … More Roadside Detour IV – Shamrock, Texas
I’ve known about The Big Texan for many years. No, I haven’t really read about it, seen it on the internet, and, actually, except for a couple of times, I’ve not even driven past it. For some reason, the folks at The Big Texan believe in their product – big juicy steaks coupled with an … More Roadside Detour III – The Big Texan
About forty five miles east of Amarillo is the small, unassuming town of Groom, Texas. Well, the town may be small and unassuming, but the 190 foot cross that calls Groom its home is anything but…. Touted as being the largest cross in the Northern Hemisphere, the Groom Cross can be seen as far as … More Roadside Detour II – Groom, Texas
We were cruising down I-40 between Groom and Amarillo, Texas last fall, when a ginormous peace sign on the access road captured our attention. What’s a body to do when this occurs? Take the next exit and check it out, of course! Deemed by RoadsideAmerica.com as the Stoner Patriot Peace Garden of All Faiths, it is … More Roadside Detour -Stoner Patriot Peace Garden
Kurt and I have really enjoyed the road trips we have taken over the years. In the late summer of 2014, he planned one. We were headed west, and our first stop along the way was the Cadillac Ranch. Just west of Amarillo, the Cadillac Ranch has been a roadside attraction for more than forty … More The Cadillac Ranch
With Father’s Day around the corner, I am compelled to reflect on long ago memories of four important dads in my life. My mom’s hometown is Marfa Texas, a small town near Big Bend National Park in the southwestern part of the state. Most every Christmas growing up, my parents would pack the car with … More What I learned from the Dads in My Life
Shootin' The Breeze 