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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gun Slinging in the Wild West
Contrabando movie set is a abandoned movie set which depicts a classic rural Mexican village.
The set was constructed in 1985 for the western comedy "Uphill all the Way", starring Roy Clark, Mel Tillis and Burle Ives. Since that time nine different movies have been made at the abandoned Contrabando movie set
"Rio Diablo" (1993), "Gambler V" (1994), "My Maria" (1995), "Dead Man's Walk" (1995), "Streets of Laredo"(1995) and "The Journeyman" (1999) were partly filmed here
Above:
Sunset at Paul & Voni's Ranch
The windmill is a old time electrical generator. It is now retired. Paul said it's only function is "Texas Yard Art".
And yes those are mountain in the background. Just like the Big Bend park they have first rate jeep/dual sport roads. Did I mention Paul & Voni now own true dual sport bikes. Voni and I even took a short D/S ride down to Ara's oasis in the desert.
It was exciting to see the B-1 Bomber makes a daily pass over nearby 9 points Mesa, but guessing if it went over my house daily, after a year or two I may get tired of watching the practice runs.
Below: Cowhead Ranch in Big Bend Country
GPS Coordinates N29 39.991 W103 35.218
Paul & Voni invited me to a chuck wagon dinner at The Cowhead Ranch. The Cowhead Ranch is across the street from P&V and I have to say is a first rate place if you are into the Western or motorcycle scene. Cowboy's Chris had as many bikers staying there as real cowboys, kinda City Slickers meets motorcycle camp.
Later at night, two very talented wordsmiths had a informal Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Hey, you never know what will come to you when you are on that road looking for adventure.
Above:
The Old Ore Road.
You will note that spiny thorn bush at the end of my feet. Well they are here and there on the trail and they are always aimed at the opening in your helmet. One of the thorn bushes wacked and grabbed my jacket pretty hard.
Did I mention dust everywhere?
Below:
Old Ore Road
High Clearance 4 wheel drive recommended
I've got a story about this trail. I meet this guy and I ask him why he is walking. He explained to me that he bottomed out his Chevy Lumina and cracked open the tranny and lost all his oil. Later on the trail I saw the oil and aluminum drags.
I got to the other end, and he and his car were at the trading post with the tow truck pulling.
I told him that his wife is not going to be happy about the car and the 500 buck tow bill. He explained to me no problem with the wife as he has none, but he didn't think the car rental company will be very happy.
Oh, and about those thorn bushes, that are on every corner. When you are in tow the car follows behind and both side the paint job was keyed near 50 times the full length of the car
. . . . . . . . .Pack train route from Mexico to Marathon
Old Ore Road
26 miles
Used in the early Twentieth Century to transport ore from Mexican mines to the railroad station at Marathon, the Old Ore Road follows the route used by mule and pack trains over one hundred years ago. The road provides great views of the Chisos Mountains across the Tornillo Creek drainage to the west. The Ernst Tinaja is located about five miles from the south end of the road.
Passing thru the foothills of the Dead Horse Mountains, the Old Ore Road requires a high-clearance vehicle and four-wheel drive is highly recommended due to rugged terrain.