A couple of weeks ago on his way from a meeting in another town, Byron drove through an area not far from our home that he thought I'd like to see. So this morning, we drove out to this past its prime small Texas town. We daydreamed about fun ways to revitalize it. We mocked ourselves by declaring that this place needed an artisanal revival. We figured that this town could benefit from some craft beer, bar b que, natural living type general store, and most of all, a coffee shop!! None of that exist at the current time. Just a bunch of beautiful, neglected buildings, a brick main street, some incredible vintage street light fixtures, one lone feral chicken, and murals just waiting to be restored.
It's interesting. Austin and its metro is now, officially, the fastest growing city in the US. When I go into town, I swear, I imagine this is what the roaring twenties must have felt like. There is so much growth and wealth in that city. It's all shiny and bright and full of pretty people and fancy cars. But an hour out, there are still places like this -- diamonds in the rough, I believe. Just waiting for something interesting and exciting to happen.
The way home involves driving through miles and miles of farmland, mostly corn, but also quite a bit of wheat. Honestly, I never realized wheat grew in these parts, but apparently it does. We veered off to the side of the road to take a closer look. Oh, how I loved the quiet sound of the bleached out stalks rustling in the breeze. There is something so peaceful about about the movement and the stillness of it all.
oh my, oh my, oh my..... I love everything about this post. I want to come walk around that town with you and dream of good beer and coffee and natural living-type general stores (did you happen to make it to Villagers while you were in Asheville?) while watching a lone feral chicken strut around. the chicken photo is of course incredible, but I'm really loving photo #s 2 and 6 and 10. and the one with Bea and Byron with the Rebuild America sign? holy cow. love how clearly his enthusiasm for the moment seems to show while Bea's a bit more like 'um, mom.... why?' also- it makes me want to weave strips of old tires through metal gates.
and the wheat- ahhhh, I can just feel/hear the quietness of just the rustling stalks.
xo
Posted by: amanda | May 25, 2014 at 09:28 PM
bleached wheat fields are my favorite... we won't see any of those for two-three months though. it is so amazing the way a beautiful little town can be just sitting over there nearly empty. such a funny way this world works. your dreams for it are beautiful.
Posted by: jenny newell | May 26, 2014 at 11:16 AM
seriously. there are so many ghost towns all over texas just like this one. i always love to imagine what they must have been like in their heyday. oh, and i'm extra romantic about wheat fields these days because of the opening credits to Larkrise to Candleford. I should have mentioned that in the post! :)
Posted by: Nichole | May 26, 2014 at 04:05 PM
as far as harvesting, our area goes into a summer's sleep come july 4th and then reawakens in the fall. which is why wheat is getting harvested and it's blackberry season around here right now.
Posted by: Nichole | May 26, 2014 at 04:07 PM
The pictures in the wheat field are just stunning :) I'm glad I found your space here.
Sophie xo
Posted by: Sophie | May 26, 2014 at 06:26 PM
Wow, these photos are haunting. Doesn't it just make you wonder about all of the lives and the stories that took place there? Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: may | May 26, 2014 at 09:12 PM
Thank you Sophie! I find the wheat fields absolutely captivating. So rustic and earthly. PS: I peeked into your blog and was dazzled by your beautiful documentation of creative pursuits. :)
Posted by: Nichole | May 29, 2014 at 06:05 PM
Hi May! Yes, I love to dig - in antique stores, through old boxes of photos, ghost towns, older neighborhoods with winding streets, etc.... And the essence to the digging is the thinking of all of those souls and all of their stories that have come and gone.
Posted by: Nichole | May 29, 2014 at 06:07 PM
Oh, I just loved this post! The photos of the old town are amazing...I just wanted to walk down those old streets and dream too! I can imagine what it must have looked like one day.
Someday I hope to take in the beauty of bleached wheat fields. Here in Maine we only have corn...no wheat.
Posted by: Emily | June 24, 2014 at 07:34 AM