Day 11

"Mountains and hills Praise the Lord!"

Here are the same little row of soldiers I painted yesterday, all dressed at reveille awaiting morning roll call of the sun.

Took a day trip to the Davis Mountains to visit Fort Davis and the McDonald Observatory. I had never been to a fort, with the exception for the Alamo. I could literally sense the spirit and energy that once walked those same grounds and paths. A key post in the defense of west Texas, Fort Davis played a major role from 1854 until 1891. Troops stationed at the post protected emigrants, freighters, mail coaches and travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road from Apaches and Comanches. Fort Davis is one of the best remaining examples of a frontier military post. There was a lot to see but here are a few of the photos I snapped of the huge expanse of land boxed in by a canyon wall.

Fort Davis

Officer's Quarters

Other Military Quarters

Restored Hospital

On to McDonald Observatory the highest place in Texas. In spite of the on and off rain
stunning views could be seen of the mountains covered with storm clouds.

The sun finally broke through by the end of the day to showcase in brilliance a sea of graduating blue sky and cumulus, hinting to the prospect of fair weather ahead. What an ever-changing and glorious world that astounds and mystifies me moment by moment. Light, the master sculpture and transformer, floods the canvas of my world in an evolving palette. I am humbled as I stand here in awe, wonder and praise.