It's the place I know best in the world
Took a trip back home to Del Rio because I was homesick for the sounds and the space, the canned fig preserve my grandmother makes, the peaches from my grandfather's trees, the thick green grass in their yard and the chickens. I got to hear the sounds I don't get to hear in Austin like sheep, goats and chickens.
Everywhere I went- long stretches of land between houses and neighborhoods and even behind commercial property. At night you can see the stars and hear nothing when you are in bed. It was 103 and dry but under the shade of my grandfather's pecan trees the heat was lost in the grass and there was even a strong breeze to help. Signs for the 25 mph speed limit in some parts of town reminded why I don't like freeways. Stucco homes all over my neighborhood, huge palm trees, the old irrigation canals in front of homes, the winery, Rose Ave.
I miss the place and many don't understand why or how but it's unlike any other place and that is good (and bad) but it's the place I have known best in my life. Maybe you have to be born there, grow up there, maybe it's just nostalgia for what it was but wasn't when I was there or vision for what it could be but has never been. I haven't lived there since 1989 but it is always what I expect it to be the moment I drive in.
Not to say it hasn't changed , it has changed over the years. The mid 90's were probably the darkest times I had ever seen for the town but now things seem more at where they were when I left in 1989. This time there seems to be more of a need and drive to improve the business district and downtown. I hope it happens.
My fiancee enjoyed it and now he knows from where I speak when I say the things I say. It is a place that always fueled my creativity and I come back with tons of ideas. Will be working on these post Del Rio trip projects starting today.
PS: A place I wish would go back in time is the former Fun-A-Rama skating rink which is up for sale. Hope someone will buy it and open it again. Who knows, rollerderby even?
Everywhere I went- long stretches of land between houses and neighborhoods and even behind commercial property. At night you can see the stars and hear nothing when you are in bed. It was 103 and dry but under the shade of my grandfather's pecan trees the heat was lost in the grass and there was even a strong breeze to help. Signs for the 25 mph speed limit in some parts of town reminded why I don't like freeways. Stucco homes all over my neighborhood, huge palm trees, the old irrigation canals in front of homes, the winery, Rose Ave.
I miss the place and many don't understand why or how but it's unlike any other place and that is good (and bad) but it's the place I have known best in my life. Maybe you have to be born there, grow up there, maybe it's just nostalgia for what it was but wasn't when I was there or vision for what it could be but has never been. I haven't lived there since 1989 but it is always what I expect it to be the moment I drive in.
Not to say it hasn't changed , it has changed over the years. The mid 90's were probably the darkest times I had ever seen for the town but now things seem more at where they were when I left in 1989. This time there seems to be more of a need and drive to improve the business district and downtown. I hope it happens.
My fiancee enjoyed it and now he knows from where I speak when I say the things I say. It is a place that always fueled my creativity and I come back with tons of ideas. Will be working on these post Del Rio trip projects starting today.
PS: A place I wish would go back in time is the former Fun-A-Rama skating rink which is up for sale. Hope someone will buy it and open it again. Who knows, rollerderby even?
