Stories from the Road
Tucson, Arizona
The Arizona Inn


After a breakfast burrito provided by the bride and groom at Hotel Paisano, we started our long drive to Tucson. The first 75 miles on a two-lane highway we only saw a couple of cars along with some antelope.  Once we reached Highway 10 West the traffic was heavier, but it wasn’t bad. We once again ate at El Camino Real, the Mexican restaurant in Demming, New Mexico that we enjoyed so much on our trip to Marfa. I met a new family member this time. The younger teenaged daughter of the proprietor served us. She was sweet and friendly.  Again the food was excellent. We split a combination plate of a taco, enchilada, and tamale with tasty sauces. Excellent refried beans and rice were served with the meal. The total bill with two diet cokes was $ 11: 00.

There were hundreds of trucks today, mostly heading east toward Texas. A couple of times we stopped for gas at trucker stops, which these days are small day hotels. Guys were doing laundry, renting shower rooms, eating, and watching TV. These were very functional places, and in the future I suppose they will even be spiffier.

The population of Marfa is 2000. Needless to say there is little traffic and noise, except for the trains that come through town.  There are a lot of artist types that live there along with the blue-collar locals. Many of the buildings in town have been abandoned and are empty, but others have been converted into artists’ studios. It is a different kind of place. There are numerous churches in Marfa, and I wondered how they all stayed in business with such a limited population.

Josh Zetumer said that it will grow on you, and he was right. The wide-open spaces and big blue sky create a context for relaxation and wonder. There are open vistas in every direction, as the land is flat. The streets are wide  and the people friendly. Life slows down in Marfa, allowing one to take in the landscapes and feel the air.