Black Jack's Crossing Golf Course at Lajitas is the oddest thing, but in a fabulous way, the best of odd. Thick, lush, grass islands surrounded by harsh, sparse, desert landscape. Expensive beyond rational reason, but worth every dime. I was, literally, the only golfer on the course, it was quiet out there, only buzzings and chirpings and hissings and a few echoing vulgarities--missed 3 foot putts are inescapable, even in paradise. Overall, a boring 83 on the scorecard, no doubles or triples, no birdies, the rest pars and bogies, one penalty stroke, three putted 18.
After an impressive supper at the resort's fine restaurant, I headed to Terlingua to catch the Viva Big Bend Music Festival opener at the Starlight Theater. Dusk was close. Keegan McInroe, from Ft. Worth, was the headliner. He'd pulled together some locals and a horn player from Lubbock to form his nameless band. They were odd, and they were hot.
The Starlight Theater is magnificent, bigger than it looks from the outside with a large stage in the back and plenty of elbow room. A life-size wood carving of the late grassjazz guitarist Slim Richey stands on the stage permanently. I thought it was Leon Russell, originally, looked just like him. Keegan McInroe And His Hot Band played 'til close, original songs about brothers talking, sad endings, and being stoned. Jack-A-Roe, Dublin Blues, and John Brown were notable and well done covers, the horn player from Lubbock kept it all spacey.