My trip down to Rowena Texas

I decided to stay with my uncle Phillip in Rowena Texas on the way down to Fort Davis. It's not the halfway point, but it sure makes the seven hour drive a little easier.



           Coming up Ranger Hill on I20 West. This is where the scenery starts to change.
                                                         

A lone tree in the middle of a field. I thought it looked like a great photo oppritunity, but it's sometimes hard to capture it on camera. 

Welcome to Rowena Texas

I always have a blast when I see my crazy ass Uncle!! We laugh and joke all night! Then after several tequila shots the guitar comes out. He is an amazing old hippie on that thing. Old rock, folk and his own stuff. Always a blast!

Phillip and his wife Karen both work at the Lowake Steak House in Miles Texas.
If you ever get an appetite for steak and want to take a road trip, this place is KILLER!!!
The KC for 3 is enough food for 8!!!! It was $36, but if you split it with someone else, you will be taking a doggie bag home and a gut full of meat, salad and potato.

So I got up early and went to work with Phillip. We sat at the bar drinking coffee and watching the news.



It's impossible to keep a clean windshield in West Texas!!

So I filled up in Eastland and cleaned the windshield. I wasn't on the road for 5 mins and SPLAT! Right in my view. These West Texas Grasshoppers massive.   

My first stop!

The Ghost Town of Thurber Texas

I always stop here. The Smokestack Resturaunt has killer southern cookin!! It's a neat place to visit.

 Back in the mid 90's, I was a member of a Metal Detecting club. Once a year our club had access to all the land... 1200 acres I think. My oldest coin came from here. 1874 Indian Head penny.
 Also, my very first Barber dime came from Thurber. It was a 1902 gradded VG. I've found old bottles from the 1800's too. Really neat place to visit if you're passing by.

They have an old cemetary up on the hill behind the old yellow house. I think all you need to do is ask the lady at the Smokestack Resturant for permission to walk around. Some kids vandalized it several years ago so they watch it closely now.

 

Pics of my trip

September 28, 2010 loaded the POS and headed out.

Packed my bag and tools

Well I finally did it! I loaded my truck up with one suitcase, most of my tools and knowledge in my head in hopes of starting my dream in Fort Davis. While it isn't exactly the way I have always pictured it, I guess it's the next best thing. One day my wonderful wife will have a chance to experience life in West Texas.
I know everyone reading this is probably stunned/confused or angry at the fact I packed up and hauled ass out of the busy life in the BIG city. I am NOT leaving my wife and family. I am simply going to try and get my foot in the door down here so when Shauna is ready, making the transition will be easier. I'm almost forty and I absolutely HATE living in the city. I want to spent the other half of my life away from freeways, traffic jambs, air pollution watches and crime. I want to go to a place where people know your name when you walk down the street. I want to leave my windows open on nice nights. I want to see the stars again. I want to enjoy the wonders God created for us all to experience.