Marathon

Here's a favorite subject of mine: the viga logs (roof support) of an adobe building. These particular ones are from the courtyard of some fairly recent additions of the historic Gage Hotel in Marathon. These are stand-alone buildings, so I guess you can't really call them additions. They're very nice, though. Okay, I guess I should give you the whole tour while I'm at it.


Here's what attracted my eye as I breezed through Marathon (pop. 455) on my way to Alpine to purchase groceries and my new grill. The combination of textures and lighting was just too exciting to pass up.


Not content, as usual, I drifted around to the entry and into the courtyard. Wow! I've been by this place a hundred times (well . . . maybe) and never once knew this was here. These ground floor rooms are called Los Portales, and were completed in 1992. Some even have fireplaces. Pretty sweet, huh?


Wall detail. Now, how could any self-respecting Texan see such a nice cow skull on a wall and not take a picture of it? Can't be done, son.


Moving back out onto and just down the street, we find the historic Gage Hotel itself, built in 1927 by a former Vermonter named Alfred Gage. Sadly, Alfred passed away shortly after the opening and never got to fully enjoy its success.


And, last but not least, we have the little town of Marathon, itself. A thriving little community of shops and galleries -- and one rocking hamburger joint, Johnny B's -- Marathon (pronounced MAIR-uh-thun) really does prosper fairly well these days, despite its apparent sleepiness. The skyline, a tall cylindrical water tower (not seen here), is one of my favorite landmarks in my travels into the area, as I know I'm only about a half-hour from Big Bend.