ON THE COVER: Photograph by Laurence Parent.
October 2006
Table of Contents
Features
Take a HikeTravel by foot along these thirty carefully chosen routes—from the South Rim in Big Bend to Lost Maples near Vanderpool—and you’ll take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Texas in ways you never thought possible. Lace up your boots and go. Urban HikesYes, there are ways to get in a fantastic hike without leaving the city limits. Up and AwayNew-media director Charlie Llewellin on hiking across Texas. Free Richard Lafuente!They say he ran over Eddie Peltier with his El Camino on a North Dakota Indian reservation in 1983. He says he didn’t do it, and the evidence is overwhelmingly on his side—yet the Plainview native has languished in federal prison for twenty years. It’s long past time for justice to be done. Set Him FreeSenior editor Michael Hall on talking to Richard LaFuente, who some believe was wrongly convicted of murder in 1986. Dell Freezes OverIt’s not just the stock price. It’s not just the executive exodus. It’s not just the flaming laptops. It’s not just the lousy customer service. It’s not just the sagging employee morale. It’s all of these things—and it’s deadly serious. Inside the sudden decline of the world’s most powerful computer company. |
Amazing GracielaThe stark beauty and powerful emotion of her photographs are undeniable. An excerpt from a new book celebrating the life and work of Mexico’s incomparable Graciela Iturbide. Great GunsIn my 86 years I’ve come into the possession of an assortment of firearms: a Colt .32-caliber semiautomatic pistol that my grandfather bought at a hardware store in Cuero; a Remington Model 870 pump, 20-gauge shotgun that my Aggie uncle-by-marriage used to shoot birds; the Winchester Model 06 pump .22 rifle I got on my tenth birthday; and many others. And each one has a story. |
Columns
Michael EnnisAll Shook UpIndependent candidates for governor won’t win this year, but they’ve certainly upended the established order. Democrats and Republicans, you have only yourselves to blame. |
Patricia Kilday HartWhy Juan Can’t ReadIn 2006 Texas schools still can’t teach English to Spanish-speaking students. Here’s what we should do about that—now. |
Reporter
CojonesWilliam Wayne JusticeA tip of the hat to risk-taking, barrier-breaking, establishment-tweaking Texans. |
Music ReviewSound GrammarMusic ReviewTexas Thunder SoulMusic ReviewMeadow |
The Filter
Pat’s PickUrban Bistro |
Miscellany
Editor’s LetterDear John |
Roar of the CrowdCrime, Seen |
Web Exclusives
Doubting DellExecutive editor S. C. Gwynne on writing about computer giant Dell. A Time to RememberArticles editor Brian D. Sweany on spending an afternoon with John Graves. |
Head CoachKristy Curry has the eyes of the Lady Raider Nation upon her. |




