Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
go to the home page of the two RV Gypsies
Table of Content index
 learn about Karen and Lee Duquette email the two RV Gypsies sign the guestbook of the Two RV Gypsies
Alaska visits by the two RV Gypsies
places in Canada the two RV Gypsies visited
 countries the two RV Gypsies visited The two RV Gypsies on cruises visit the USA sites
learn about Brian Duquette and his tragedy events before 2008 Links to other RV sites RV help for travelers vidoes by the Two RV Gypsies

The two RV Gypsies
took a day trip to Alpine, Texas
September 14, 2022

Alpine is a city in and the county seat of Brewster County, Texas. The town has an elevation of 4,475 feet , and the surrounding mountain peaks are over 1 mile above sea level. It is in the crossroads to Big Bend National Park (the two RV Gypsies were at Big Bend in 2012).
Alpine Texas mural
Aloine Texas slogan

The two RV Gypsies walked around Alpine to photograph murals and other art.
Alpine Texas Murphy Street history
divider line

Below: Alpine lumber started here in 1904. This facility was built in 1928 and remodeled in the 1960s.

The Cattle Drive Mural shown below was complete in 2015 and reflects the region's ranching heritage on the current KishMish Plaza. The calendar image came from an actual calendar Alpine Lumberyard used to produce when it was there in the 1950s.

Apline Texas mural
divider line
stickers on an Alpine Texas wall
divider line

Below: The mural Poco A Poquito used a traditional Mexican calendar top on the bottom of a mural with a man serenading a woman. Muralist Style Read redesigned it to include Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in the background. The church stands directly south of the mural. Blackman enlisted the help of Read and local volunteers to paint what would be the first of the six murals.
divider line
Apline Texas mural and calender
The Crossing Guard plaque

Lee Duquette and The Crossing Guard artwork
divider line

Below: “Big Brewster” which welcomes visitors with an introduction to Brewster County. Images of defining faces and places such as the CF Ranch (a nod to the ranching heritage), plus Big Bend National Park that sits south of the county along the Mexico border, plus and a steamroller train to signify the first laid tracks in 1882.

TV actor Dan Blocker smiles in his portrait as he dons a white cowboy hat in the mural. Most known for his role as Hoss Cartwright on Bonzana, Blocker graduated from Sul Ross State Teacher’s College in 1950 where he also played football.

Another notable local sports figure, Herbert Kokernot, stands with a member of the Alpine Cowboys baseball team he founded in 1947. Kokernot, a ranch owner, also built the Kokernot Field on E. Hendryx Dr and Fighting Buck Ave.

Also on the mural, a Sul Ross State University banner hangs above a picturesque postcard that reads “Greetings from Alpine, Texas.”

Apline Texas mural
building with a mural

Below: A close-up-of the above photo
Apline Texas mural
divider line

music notes divider barmusic notes divider ba

Below: This mural pays tribute to Texas musicians and specifically many of the Lone Star State's country heroes. How many of these artists can you name and find in the mural below?

Bob Wills • George Strait • Selena • Waylon Jennings • Willie Nelson • ZZ Top • The Flatlanders • Buddy Holly • Janis Joplin • Buck Owens • Jerry Jeff Walker • Omar and the Howlers • Robert Earl Keen • Roy Orbison • Stevie Ray Vaughn • Townes Van Zandt • Kris Kristofferson • Charley Pride • George Jones • Ernest Tubb • Blind Lemon Jefferson • Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown • Cody Johnson • Gary P. Nunn • DJ Screw • Flaco Jimenez • Freddy Fender • Guy Clark • Kevin Fowler • Lightnin’ Hopkins • Lydia Mendoza • Lyle Lovett • Miranda Lambert • Pantera • Ray Wylie Hubbard • Ray Price • Randy Rogers • Roky Erickson • Sly Stone • Tanya Tucker • Van Cliburn
Country western artists, singers and musicians
 
musical instrucments divider bar
Historic Murphys flag mariachi singers
divider line

Below: The Alpine Studio was built in 1907 by pioneer photographer John Thain as his studio. It was remodeled to Mission style in 1928.
cute Alpine art studio
divider line

Below: The Historic Bottle House and the mural on the side of The Bottle House.

It is located in downtown Alpine, within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, libraries, parks. The spacious 1,200 square feet, 3 bedroom/one bath home is a BNB that can be all yours - with two private front entrances and a back door leading out to the completely enclosed back yard with an outdoor dining table and six deck chairs for stargazing. The Bottle House is pet and child friendly, tastefully decorated and filled with art and plants. Historic Murphy Street is artsy and funky and folks are super friendly. Parking on the street by the front door is easy and super safe - as is all of Alpine.

historic Bottle House BNB in Alpine TX
murals on a BNB in Alpine, Texas
divider line

Below: The Hotel Ritchey is one of the oldest commercial buildings still standing in Alpine. The adobe portion was built in the 1880s as a hotel. The frame addition was completed in 1908. Its primary use from 1886-1946 was as a hotel for ranchers and cowboys who drove the cattle herds to the railroad. It had a saloon and six rooms downstairs with nine rooms and a bathroom upstairs. From 1946 to 1978, it served as a boarding facility and rental property. Currently the site serves the community as the weekly farmer's market.
Hotel Ritchey
divider line
murals on a store in Alpine, Texas a weird U.S. mail box
a work of art weird face art
lizard on a wall cowboy on a horse
divider line
mural in Alpine Texas
divider line
western mural

Below: Cruising Big Bend
tourists in a car
mosiac art balancing act
mutal cat crossing sign
art mural on a building
divider line
murals
divider line
mural
look below

please continue on to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies Continue on for scenery as The Two RV Gypsies drove through Anthony, El Paso, and Ft. Hancock photographing a few photos on their way to Fort Stockton, Texas including the Big Red X.