Railroad Crosses

See Forever Under Blue Skies

The post title Railroad Crosses is a reminder of the silent way people lose their lives crossing the Texas-Mexico border. It is an inhospitable unforgiving frontier. Triple digit temperatures and little access to water or shelter are normal conditions. It is no exaggeration to say someone could walk twenty miles to find water. Traveling on foot without supplies is a death sentence for many migrants.

Coyotes and drug smugglers see the vast unpopulated area as an asset. Bad characters draw little attention along the 1,200 mile length of border. Patrolling a 20 mile wide swath along the border amounts to more than 24,000 square miles.  There is no practical way to ensure physical security using people or a wall here. High tech solutions can be effective for detecting activity but people must do the policing.

The Path of Commerce

A general rule in the Western United States is commerce follows the railroad. Interesting town sites are generally within a few miles of road transportation. Today highway 90 is the main road in the area. To start exploring you need some good detailed maps, a vehicle with high clearance and curiosity. History is there you just have to find it.

A careful look reveals everything from Native American petroglyphs to abandoned ghost towns. This image was made in the ghost town of Pumpville. It was once a railroad water stop in the days of steam. Just a few miles South is another famous semi-ghost town called Langtry. You can still visit the remains of the Jersey Lilly Saloon and Courthouse where Roy Bean literally held court. Link is to the  wikipedia entry for Roy Bean

Be Prepared

 There are a few things to consider before jumping into exploring the border region. In the old days rattlesnakes were the greatest danger. Today desperate people, some armed, may be present. It’s best to remember there has always been a certain freedom of action practiced along the border.