Blog Archives

Alpine Cowboys Baseball

“The 2020 season has been cancelled!! It is with great regret this is happening. We will work hard to get prepared for 2021. Due to a few States we play still in lockdown due to COVID-19, it leaves us no … Continue reading

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Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

A quick ride north of Alpine is the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, a facility established by the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institiute. This 500-acre family friendly facility is an interesting blend of informative exhibits and programs, a greenhouse and botanical center, … Continue reading

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Big Bend Ranch State Park

Just west of the national park is Big Bend Ranch State Park, featuring over 300,000 acres of wilderness. A favorite among locals for its miles of rugged and remote backcountry trails, the park is a great venue for mountain biking, … Continue reading

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Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is grand in scope at over 800,000 acres. Take a ride down in the early morning to explore the diverse biology and geology that make for a variety of scenic trails and incredible vistas. Visitors come from all … Continue reading

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Murder Steer Mural

Guests at the Quality Inn are greeted with images of Alpine and the origin of the “murder steer” legend in the hotel’s lobby, also painted by Read in 1995.

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“Ode to Reata” Mural

Read is also the artist behind “Ode to Reata” at Reata Restaurant that features the house from the West Texas epic “Giant” and actor James Dean on a horse.

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Crystal Bar Mural

Read also worked on previous projects for others in the past. The first thing Read painted in Alpine was the West Texas themed mural near the Crystal Bar entrance. It was then owned by Larry McAllister in the spring of … Continue reading

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Cattle Drive Mural

The Cattle Drive Mural was completed in 2015 and reflects the region’s ranching heritage on the current KishMish Plaza, but the calendar image came from an actual calendar Alpine Lumber produced during the 1950s. Alpine Lumber started in this location … Continue reading

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The Mercado Mural

Blackman enlisted the help of Read and local volunteers to paint what would be the first of the six murals. The Mercado Mural came next in 2014 at the Big Bend Wool and Mohair on Murphy Street. Located in the … Continue reading

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Poco a Poquito Mural

The other mural facing south, is one of the three murals Blackman gifted to the city for the 20th anniversary of Artwalk, an annual art festival in downtown Alpine. In 2013, Blackman had an idea to paint a mural in … Continue reading

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