WEST TEXAS STORIES.

This first picture is a HUGE stone saw just east of Barstow. I've heard that they quarried this rock years and years ago and have just started it up again. The quarry was reopened in the 90's when the museum here was being remodeled because they needed that particular stuff which was the same as some of the museum rock...and it was from the very same quarry. Cool.

The 2nd photo is at the entrance of a ranch estate sale we went to today in Andrews. They weren't kidding to watch out for snakes...these 2 were killed and hung on the sign while we there shopping. The one on the right was still moving when i took this picture...ew. Andrews is northwest of Odessa and was an hour and 45 min. drive. They had some beautiful things for sale. One was a civil war era gesso/gilt framed mirror that measured 8' by 5' and came with an ornately carved pedestal. It cost $9,800....lots of wonderful antique furniture and a chandelier that i wanted badly....but it was $450.
I missed seeing the "calvery" saddlebags...they were sold...the sale started last wednesday....and tomorrow is "close out" day. Too bad it's such a long drive....i'd go again.
Gene chatted up the son of the deceased owners while i took a 2nd turn around the house. They had cool vintage hats and fantastic antique mesh and beaded purses....and lots of other stuff....good jewelry too. I bought a LIFE magazine from 1969...the feature article is about youth communes.
As we were leaving the house someone asked the workers: "What's for lunch?" All the ladies chorused together: "RATTLESNAKE!"
Well, one said "ground squirrel."

Gene works with a guy who used to be a park ranger at the Monahans Sandhills...it's miles and miles of sand dunes and looks like the beach should be just over the next hill. Anyways one day the rangers were following these snake tracks in the sand because they didn't want snakes in that area. They finally tracked down the 2 snakes near a watering hole. They killed the 5 foot rattler while a group of european tourists watched. Then they found the 6 foot snake eating a huge rat and killed him too. The tourists stopped at the front entrance while they were leaving the park and asked when the next show was....funny huh?

I took a drive on friday the 13th...that was my "3 hour tour."
I went to Crane, Grandfalls and Coyanosa. It was a big rectangle actually.
There's ALOT of nuthin' out there.
I didn't see a house for 30 miles or more.
I didn't even see any animals for a long time but then spotted some horses and cattle on the last hour of the trip.
There was just alot of oil pumpers and electric wires marching across the landscape.
There's alot of nuthin' out there.
I'd never seen a yellow traffic sign that siad "Watch Out for Sand on the Road."
I DID see some pretty wildflowers but not the kind we have in central texas.
You can look out on the road ahead and it streches for miles...no cars.
You can look in the rear view mirror and see behind for miles...no cars...it's rather creepy.
I saw a BIG pecan orchard in Coyanosa. They grow alot of cantalope, watermelon, onions, wheat and jalapenos there.
Coyanosa is so small that there city sign doesn't even list a population.
Mrs. Weatherby had a ranch out there...and i think her daughter-in-law still lives there.
There's alot of nuthin' out there.

RADIO HOTLINE:
Wanted:
baby crib, stroller, playpen and gun cabinet. (good combo there.)

That's all for today bloggers.
love, Mary