Chinati Early Eve

On a recent trip to far west Texas, I missed a few things during my endless driving. One was a private birding habitat, and the other was the über-modern art generator known as the Chinati Foundation. Next time.

But what the desert misses in rain, we gain in light.

For all of us on a budget - their array of concrete "boxes" are free and open to the public, until the Chinati's closing time. Perfect for the high desert's late day light and power - and right before dinner.

Even Clint found "all that modern art, out in the desert..."

Perhaps after To-coom-care-ee, during his Man With No Name Trilogy travels?

Looking SE - a line of well-intended, but misinformed planting of cottonwoods. Normal climate, not to mention our wonderful über-drought, is taking it's toll, regardless if those were integrated into passive water harvesting. No surprise that using floodplain, phreatophytic, primary succession tree species ends poorly in the desert. Not to say drier El Paso or Abq!

But they could make nice mulch for new, more appropriate trees...if trees are needed at all?

Looking S - a solitary Palmilla / Yucca elata in the tawny grasses, about the thickest desert grassland I've seen 

Both these boxes are getting similar light, but framing golden brightness

Both these boxes are getting different light, looking into a really autumnal scene

Looking here tells me about tomorrows sunrise, the hope of a new day

More framing and the rising moon

Cluster

More fall leaves and lunar framing - I could sit and walk through each of their boxed for hours, study the light, feel the cool concrete, bask in the shade or against the walls for warmth. Just hang out and relax for a while.

Looking N, a line of trees looking more woodsy than reality - the same invasive tree species are taking longer to die than out my way.

Simple, mown native grass path in low light - contrast, but the path should have a better curve. It should be sculpture.

Picture me saying that with a pretentious accent, wearing black clothes and glasses (I do have a pair for night driving). Time to go, though. Next time, I'll take more time to experience it all.

Nice how hipster couples also do the mundane, such as buy windshield washer fluid before dinner!

Too bad for them, Food Shark is only open at lunch for a Marfalafel. (I kid you not) But their late night grilled-cheese diner is waiting - the night before, I had one with bacon, and it was definitely not shabby.

I tried this place for recommended cocktails...the setting was nice. Definitely more attention and design skill than many regional eateries put into outdoor dining. Crushed gravel to crunch on. Chinquapin Oak / Quercus muhlenbergii L, Chinese Pistache / Pistacia chinensis R

I sat at one of these tables, the chilly evening air heavy, over a fair gin & tonic but the
worst risotto I've had. But then again, dad was a Piedmontese...he set the bar high.

The bar at the Paisano Hotel was better for a decent dinner...and great conversation with locals and visitors

I framed out the lawn (that should have been colorful, bold understory plantings), but the Windmill Palm / Trachycarpus fortunei duo was nice. Some native tree yuccas might have worked even better outside but between the arches in front of the tiled wall sections, with the palms inside the courtyard. I also wonder why the entry arch was covered, ruining the symmetry?

Perhaps there's work in Trans Pecos Texas renovating and elevating Trost building landscapes?

What do you see on the lighting? 

And how about the potential of each space, for what it is or could be?