The Blas Payne House
We’re here! And I hardly know how to describe our new abode. It is just what Michael ordered: old, adobe, with a backyard where he can sit and listen to the trains. The Blas Payne House—originally owned by “one of the best cowboys ever to work on Big Bend ranches”—in Marathon is a hodgepodge of whimsy, wit, creativity, inventiveness, charm, love, and thoughtfulness. Every time I turn a corner, I discover something new. There is art of all kinds on every wall. Beautiful books detailing the local history and attractions of the Big Bend area abound. The kitchen is a collage of colors from a West Texas sunset; blues and aqua, gold, fiery red, and pale terra cotta. Even the dishes, placemats, and napkins are imbued with these colors.
Our queen-sized bed is super comfortable, and extra blankets are piled high on a bench at the foot of the bed. For me—always cold—it is a gift. Michael—always hot—is not impressed. The bathroom is filled with anything you may need but forgot to pack.
Perfect Imperfection
One of the most wonderful things about this 100-year-old house is that even though it was renovated in 2015, it looks like it grew here. That in itself is an art in achievement. There is no artifice in any corner. The corrugated steel roof on the newer (not new at all!) addition of the kitchen and second bedroom is also the ceiling. Original adobe bricks made of mud and dried grasses can still be seen in the second bedroom. Rather than aim for shiny new perfection, materials used during the renovation are worn and scarred, rescued and wired. They are filled with someone’s history, wear, love and ingenuity. The whole house is a case of perfect imperfection. And, I’d love to meet the owner.
The long whine of a train’s whistle lures Michael to the backyard, so while he lives his dream, I concentrate on quickly tucking our things out of sight.
I like trains too, and soon we are relaxing in a sea of comfortable whimsy sipping good wine (Rombauer Zinfandel) and munching on Fritos Scoops and savory bean dip. I feel many people would be rolling over in their graves at this imperfect pairing, but like our current home away from home—we think it is perfectly imperfect.
Who was Blas Payne?
In an article Joe Holley wrote for the Houston Chronicle in July 2014, it states, “Blas Payne, a Black Seminole, was known as one of the best cowboys ever to work on Big Bend ranches. He died in 1990 at age 88.” To learn more click on the following link. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/columnists/native-texan/article/The-saga-of-Blas-Payne-a-Big-Bend-cowboy-legend-5601879.php
The Blas Payne House
To learn more about the Blay Payne House, either Google the name or check out one of these websites.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10610177?source_impression_id=p3_1650073906_CwWha1ngoRRphCax
Read about getting here at the following link.
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