Pepsi, 5AM (Marathon) - US90 Project

The vending machine stands wide open in front of a service station that has been closed for years.

Granada Theater, 1AM (Alpine)

A late-night bus passing through Alpine left its trail across the face of the quiet Granada Theater

: Border Patrol, 3AM (Brewster County Rest Stop)

If you're standing out on a highway in west Texas at 3AM, you're likely to attract attention. Curious Border Patrol agents provided perfect foreground lighting for this shot.

Marfa Water Tower, 11PM (Marfa) - US90 Project

Standing about a block from the Presidio County Courthouse in beautiful downtown Marfa, I looked up and saw the Milky Way! The orange glow of the streetlight gave a nice shine to the water tower, but not so much that you couldn’t see the stars.

Pecos River Bridge, 10PM (Langtry)– US90 project

Even before I came to Texas I knew that Judge Roy Bean was “The Law West of the Pecos.” Seeing that the US90 bridge over the Pecos is the tallest highway bridge in Texas (and the railroad bridge a few miles upstream is even taller) I can’t figure out how the Judge and his friends got across that canyon! Less than 2 hours past sunset, there was still enough sky glow to illuminate this (long) exposure.

Veteran’s Highway, 2AM (Del Rio)

This stretch of Veteran's Highway,US90, in the northern part of Del Rio, is busy and crowded during the day. At 2:00 in the morning there are only a few night owls. Here you'll find the last 24-hour convenience stores until you get to Interstate 10 – another 300 miles up US90. Better get some coffee.

Pecos under the Stars, 5AM (Langtry) - US90 Project

In the wide spaces between the towns along US90, the stars are big and bright as the Pecos winds off to the north and a stray Perseid meteor leaves a trace.

Twilight Highway, 9PM (Comstock) – US90 project

Daylight fades, leaving the Moon and Venus peering down through the clouds at the truck traffic out of Del Rio. Some come from the border and some from points east on Highway 90. A long and mostly lonely road lies ahead.

Tethered, 8PM (West of Marfa)

If you travel US90 west of Marfa, you may see what looks like a blimp hanging in the sky. About 30 minutes past sunset, it was the last thing catching the sun's red rays. It's actually part of a Tethered Aerostat Radar System watching for low-flying airplanes...

HiWay Cafe, 3AM (Valentine) - US90 Project

Alongside Highway 90 in Valentine, a former cafe sits quietly in the light of a nearby streetlamp.

Tapes-Stereo-Records-Disco (Sanchez Music) , 4AM (Van Horn) - US90 Project

It’s a pity Sanchez Music couldn’t survive to see the current revival of vinyl records!

The Western Terminus, 5:30AM (Van Horn) - US90 Project

And here we reach the end. About a block after crossing under I-10, US90 dead-ends into West Broadway Street. Go up Texas 54 at that next traffic light and you run into Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ rocket company.

Yuccas, 11PM (Picnic Area west of Valentine) – US90 project

The stretch of US 90 between Valentine and Van Horn is…not heavily populated. Once you pass the famous Marfa Prada, you don’t see much sign of life – except the occasional picnic area! I loved the yuccas guarding this one and was grateful that a passing semi lit them up for me!

T-Rex, 2AM (Sanderson) - US90 Project

As you pass through Sanderson, one thing is likely to catch your eye - a brightly colored dinosaur standing on a street corner.

Texas Eagle, 10PM (Alpine) – US90 Project

Scheduled for departure at 8:45, the train was late this evening. A half-dozen passengers waited, mostly patiently, some outside in the chill of the night.

Porter’s, 1AM (Marfa) – US90 Project

It’s the only grocery store in town, but it closes at 8. For a few hours after that, you can go to the gas stations. Once they close, I hope you have all you need because it’s 70 miles to Van Horn!

Gas $1.43, 12AM (Sanderson) - US90 Project

Resting by the side of US 90, this gas station hasn’t done a lot of business lately. About 20 years, judging by the price.

Pecos Mud, 9PM (Langtry) - US90 Project

The level of the Pecos River follows the level of the Amistad Reservoir. Lake Amistad is currently about 1/3 full - less than a foot above a historically low level. The mud tiles here reminded me of the mud flat I visited in Death Valley.

Uneven Lanes, Langtry, 3AM (US90 Project)

The Maker of Peace , 11PM Comstock)- US90 Project

The Maker of Peace, a 17-foot-tall bronze shaman by artist Bill Worrell, watches over Seminole Canyon State Park. Inspired by the ancient rock art and artifacts of the Lower Pecos culture, it depicts his interpretation of a tribal spiritual leader.

Check Point, 4AM (Comstock) - US90 Project

The Border Patrol keeps a lonely vigil overnight. They do think it odd when you pass them 3 or 4 times within a few hours. But when they see a back seat full of camera gear, well, they still think it's a bit odd! Or maybe that you're a bit odd…

Turning Point, 4AM (Marathon) - US90 Project

I’ve passed through this intersection many times. Sometimes I head south to Big Bend, other times I’m just going east to Sanderson or West to Alpine. The Big Bend Visitor Information Center is open 24-hours. About 45 miles down 385 you come to the park’s North Entrance Station. From there, a short hop of 25 miles or so will take you to the Panther Junction Visitor’s Center. But only if you make the turn here!

Comstock Motel, 1AM (Comstock) - US90 Project

Comstock is quiet at 1 in the morning. Quick Stop is closed, though the gas pumps are open. This is the only motel between Del Rio and Sanderson.