The road from Carlsbad to San Antonio (about 500 miles) is pretty boring
without towns or any redeeming features. These three shots were taken 15 minutes
apart and may give some idea. West Texas makes Kansas look lumpy!
| You do find some odd features. We asked some rangers about these
structures (not surprisingly often called 'nipple hill'). They have a
specific geological name but they didn't know it. They are not volcanic but
have been formed by wind and water erosion. |  |
 | We did see
quite a few windmills but almost without exception, they weren't running.
Somewhat surprisingly, wind speeds are quite low despite the exposure of the
cliff tops. |
| This is the town of Sheffield, Texas. Population 250, no doctor
or superstore within 40 miles. It is about halfway between El Paso and San
Antonio. |  |
 | The sole tower
proudly proclaimed the name. I'm not sure what it stored but it may well
have been water. |
| But even out here the gardens show that Christmas is coming
although quite what the zebra is doing, I'm not sure. |  |
 | This is the
modern judge and sherriff's office. Both were out but we did meet their
clerk who
chatted for a while and told us about the area. |
| The town's claim to fame is that this was where the infamous Judge Roy Bean (I think he
was a hanging judge) was first appointed. Today people come from miles to be married here. I
think it is a bit like Gretna Green used to be. The face looked slightly
familiar.... |  |
 | As we get closer to San Antonio the land becomes more hilly and
there is more green. It also helps that we are much lower here than we have
been. This was taken from the old Government Road between San Antonio and El
Paso, not far from Fort Lancaster (which was closed Tue & Wed!), about 13
miles east of Sheffield. |
| A bit further
on and we passed the town of Ozona, famous only for its statue of Davy
Crockett. We have yet to get to the Alamo. "Be sure you are right, and then
go ahead". |  |
|