new thread
This is a song and video by a local artist in the little town that I'm moving to in a few months. All the people in the video are locals and I would say at least half the guys have long hair and one guy in particular has amazing looking straight hair. This town is in way west Texas on the border, 80 miles from the nearest barber. This may not be your type of music but I thought you might enjoy all the long hairs, a concentration this dense in Texas seems extremely rare.
One of the beauties of this place is that, with it's very rural and tiny population they just let you be yourself and nobody ever says a word. Most of the longhairs start showing up after about half the video. Also there are some killer beards too. Enjoy
Hi CJ,
I really enjoyed this video. Gotta love the girl in the cut off jean shorts. There was some great long hair and beards in there. I think I would enjoy living there, It looks like it might be Terlingua. Is that correct? I am sure you will enjoy yourself there. Have a wonderful weekend!
Ted
Hi CJ,
I'm glad you enjoyed the video Ted. You are correct, that is Terlingua. I've been looking for the right piece of land out there for a while and finally found it last November. I'm really looking forward to it as the area is just breathtaking and the people are so friendly. Take care my friend.
Hi Siege,
It's a cool video and didn't at all mind the music.Actually kinda interesting with all the acoustic guitars since just a few days ago I took a factory tour of Marin Guitar Company in PA:)Looks like very peaceful living but guess you have to be prepared for being so isolated away from city life.Looks like it would be a great place to retire to.Well I wish you the best in that move and maybe pass along the mlhh word when you get there my friend:)Cheers
Mârk
I was a little envious of your tour of Martin Guitars. I've always liked their instruments even though I'm a hopeless student of the guitar. The area is definitely isolated, but I'm spending the next few months acquiring what's needed to survive out there. It's not really that rough, even have high speed Internet. I will most certainly pass along mlhh.
-CJ
Hi again Siege,
Ha ha, yea I'm the same way when it came to learning the guitar even though I was trying to play an electric.Kinda feel the talent is something one is born with.In other words you either have it or you don't.Maybe someday I'll try again but on an acoustic and especially if I get a Martin:)
Hope all goes well with your move and do let us know what life is like there for you:)Cheers
Mârk
Broadband Internet there? Looks like it has to be by satellite only, or did some local there put something together to give everybody Internet? Looks like same for TV and radio - all by satellite. That's a really isolated place! Really beautiful too.
It depends on how remote you are really. Where my property is I can have a wired connection but many areas have to use satellite. Apparently the local utilities companies received a pretty substantial grant to improve the infrastructure.
I've heard tell of that happening in some places. That's lucky. Satellite works, but it has a lot of disadvantages compared compared to terrestrial hard wired.
Terlingua is extremely remote I see on the map. If you're still on the line:
I cut myself badly with my chainsaw. How would medical assistance work?
Can I send you a FedEx package?
Can I send you USPS mail?
What utilities?
Where do I buy gas for my truck?
Where's the fire department?
Will my cell phone work?
Just a few questions that popped into my head. I'm fascinated by the boonies.
--
Jim
I certainly don't mind answering questions about life out there. I've had more than a little practice... Everyone I know thinks I'm nuts for wanting to move out there.
There is a crisis center for emergency medical needs though you'd most likely need to be airlifted to a full hospital. There's other work arounds, one guy I know has an approved helicopter landing spot on his property for just such an emergency.
Fed-Ex and UPS both deliver out there.
Utilities are typically done off grid style. Solar electric, rain catchment or hauled water (some wells are around but they're hit or miss), sewer is done by either septic or composting toilet or other alternate method. I covered Internet and grid power earlier.
There's two gas stations down there, but as of last time I was there only one was open. I forget why the other was closed.
Fire department... There is a small station down there. Also there is a small police presence. Two deputies... Yeah just two.
Your phone may work in "town" but it may not. I know from personal experience that boosters work well. But half the charm is getting away from the cell phone. The county will get you a satellite phone for something like $50 if you live there full time.
In images and other information sources I don't see much economic opportunity going on beyond some passing tourism and an annual chili cook off. It's too dry and hilly for agriculture, ranching, etc.. The folks I saw in the video may mostly be financially independent for a variety of reasons?
I see, so just as with the broadband Internet, the state generally makes an attempt to give its remote residents opportunities to be connected up.
--
Jim
You are correct Jim, there is not much for economy. The area survives mostly off tourism. There are quite a few small businesses that also hire some of the locals. There is work to be found there but it's by no means the ideal place to land a job.
Of course you don't need much money out there with land that cheap and no utilities bills. I'm lucky in that I work on a river towboat and can live just about anywhere I want since the company flies me to the boat. I'm hoping to save enough in the next few years to be debt free and have a savings big enough to "retire" out there. Basically land myself a little bar tending gig to help pay for food and gas. And beer. Can't forget the beer.
If you have any other questions I suggest we move this to email as we have gotten pretty far off the topic of long hair hehe.
-CJ
Thanks very much for your story and info about Terlingua. It's totally interesting. If I think of more questions, I will use the email link. Best wishes for your new life in Terlingua.
Extremely cool. Watched the video and like the music. In fact I saved the video. Also checked out Terlingua, TX in Big Bend country. Love to have my telescope there for the nice dark skies with no city lights. Enjoy your new place and thanks for sharing.
I'm glad you liked the video. the local music acene out there is unlike anywhere I've ever been. The stars there are just incredible. There's so many I have problems identifying constellations.
Darn, I'm jealous. That would be fantastic. Where I am in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the sky is quite usably dark and pretty, but nothing like where you'll be.
One of the beauties of this place is that, with it's very rural and tiny population they just let you be yourself and nobody ever says a word. Most of the longhairs start showing up after about half the video. Also there are some killer beards too. Enjoy
... I simply loved the song, video & philosophy spliced there-in = which is what I try to do more & more by hangin' on da farm as much as I can ... thx. fer posting !!! LOVED IT !!! cheers CEM. :))
I've been to Terlingua almost every year since 1992 for the purpose of photographing landscapes and wildlife (especially snakes). I recognize and have actually talked to some of the people in this video:)
How cool, maybe I'll see you out there. One of the guys in video is actually a poisonous snake handler, though he's temporarily moved back to West to make some money.
The first time I went out there was to shoot landscapes and look at property. I was utterly unprepared for how amazing the views are there. I spent more time gawking than shooting. Then I drove to Presidio on FM170. A road that scenic should be illegal, it's amazing I didn't crash.