West Texas Panoramas
A few weeks ago I made my first road trip of the year, out to West Texas. Specifically the towns of Marfa, Fort Davis, and the surrounding spacious desert landscape. After being cooped up in Austin all year I was ready to change my environment and find some room to think and have some new experiences. This will be the first of a series of posts about that trip.
Panoramas are one of my favorite photography formats, and I love how easy they are to make with an iPhone. All four mornings that I was on my trip I went hiking on a different Davis Mountain trail. The weather was glorious and it felt invigorating to be moving freely and peacefully out in nature. I find it healing to spend time away from modern life in a place that is raw and wild. My biggest thrill is observing and experiencing the diverse birds, animals, plants, and trees that grow uniquely in these kinds of spaces. To just exist somewhere without distraction or anything manufactured is I think a gift.
Davis Mountains State Park looking from the Indian Lodge Trail towards the McDonald Observatory.
Point of Rocks Roadside Park east of Fort Davis on 166. Every trip out west I make a point to climb up and sit for a few hours, write, think, and enjoy the long view.
Davis Mountains State Park looking west from the Skyline Drive Trail.
A hazy view from the Tall Grass Loop Scenic Overlook at the Fort Davis National Historical Site. Something interesting I learned was that the row of buildings you see at the center of the image and the row of foundations to their right, were aligned separately to magnetic north and geographic north at different times.