Southwestern theme today

I'm back for a few minutes. Had a couple more paintings to show you. These next two pieces are some scenes that I did in the west Texas area of the Davis Mountains around Marfa. We travel to Parral, Chihuahua, nearly every summer for a medical mission trip there and we always stay in Marfa to break up our trip (it's a 2 day trip). It has it's own kind of beauty. It's hot and dry and arid, but it's beautiful and you can see 360 degrees of sky unless there's a little mountain in the way. It's lovely driving actually through Ft Davis (where we always eat supper), the mountains and you can see old mine shafts, and broken down rock dwellings, and huge centipedes, and occasionally wildlife - like antelope. We also go out to the Marfa lights at night and stand with all the other onlookers and try to figure out where they come from. They come and go and move around and it's really pretty eerie to watch them. They have built a nice little station there for you to walk around and observe from. But it's dark and you have to watch (or listen) for rattlesnakes (we have seen one...) Here's another view of the mountains. The terrain doesn't change much from Texas into Mexico. All you can see is just like this, a little mesquite, a little cedar from time to time, some joshua trees and cactus. I've also seen wild burros and have a few pictures of them. We stopped at one little Mexican rancher's place one time on the road between Texas and Parral to make a sandwich (since there's absolutely NOTHING between the border and the first real town for about 2 hours). A little mexican girl about 5 years old came down to where we were on her daddy's horse and asked us for something to eat. We gave her a sandwich, since it was obvious they didn't have much. In a few minutes, her older sister came down to get one, too. I have to tell you that mission work gets in your blood. I'm hooked. These Mexican people think we are bringing them the blessing, but the REAL blessing is for me. I will tell you more about our missions in another post, cuz once I get started, I can't quit.

This next piece and the last for today is at Bristol Falls, Colorado. I loved the way the sun was back-lighting the mountains and the falls were actually in shadow. I love backlit scenes. The sun just kisses the tops of objects and they fairly sparkle. We've travelled through this area several times and all my kids have gone with our church on the Wilderness Treks. They have groups where they carry all their food, clothing, and sleeping bags and tents - they pack it all in and hike up the mountains, have a mountain-top experience with the Lord and hike back down again - they even have to rapel. It was the hardest thing they've ever done, but with teamwork and God's Spirit, they make it and they are very proud of themselves and what they and God can do in their lives.

Ok, people, that's all for today. My Princess and I are meeting our dear friends for supper at Olive Garden tonight and I have to go get ready. My DH doesn't really like Italian (what's wrong with him) and so we find excuses to indulge ourselves at Olive Garden and CArino's. Can't decide which is my fave.

I AM making a dent in my office work - the year end stuff and tax stuff. I'm starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, thank goodness. I'll be back. THanks for all your lovely comments and for visiting me. I love hearing from you! Vickie