River Deep, Mountain High

There are any number of fun, adventurous, and unexpected things to do in the Big Bend region of far West Texas. Here are fifteen of my favorites, including scuba diving in Balmorhea, gliding over Marfa, drinking a microbrew in Alpine, horseback riding in Fort Davis, and floating through the Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande.

by Suzy Banks

The Evolver

“All you’ve got is a famous name,” a Republican operative told George W. Bush. But six years later he was governor, and six years after that he was president. And six years after that, his place in history—not to mention the fate of the world—is a little uncertain.

by Robert Draper

The Unbankables

All over Dallas are working-class dreamers with more will than wallet, would-be entrepreneurs who’d start their own businesses if only they had savings, good credit, home equity. That’s what brings them to the PLAN Fund.

by Michael Hall

Horsemen, Pass By

In Bill Wittliff’s Lonesome Dove photos, make-believe has never seemed so real.

by Stephen Harrigan

Number One With a Bullet

Miranda Lambert likes guns, but there’s more to her than that, just as the sultry pouts on her album covers don’t tell the whole story of an East Texas girl who always wanted to be Merle Haggard.

by John Spong

Oscar Casares

The Waiting Game

I was a server at Pappasito’s for a week. It felt like a lifetime.

Letter From Marfa

One Hundred Boxes

Space, time, and Donald Judd reconsidered.

by Jim Lewis

Gary Cartwright

Endless Summerall

What the double-breasted buffoons in today’s broadcast booths can learn from a legend of the game.

Prudence Mackintosh

Twice as Nice

The effortless goodwill of my high school reunion weekend.

Topic A

Loyalty Oaf

Going, going, Gonzales.

by Paul Burka

The Horse’s Mouth

Making Wine

Richard and Bunny Becker on making Texas wine.

Interview by Patricia Sharpe

FAQ

The Natural

Why all the fuss about Craig Biggio?

by Paul Burka

The Working Life

Laurens Fish III

Funeral director.

As told to Pamela Colloff

Faith Bases

Marathon Baptist Church

Marathon

by William Martin

Minister of Health

Take Heart

Let’s have a heart-to-heart.

by Jim Atkinson

Hollywood, TX

Fatally Hip

Hip-checking Wes Anderson.

by Christopher Kelly

Street Smarts

Downtown Bastrop

A Quickie Guide.

by Jordan Breal

The Manual

Corny Dogs

Every corny dog has its day.

by Andrea Valdez

Texas Monthly Talks

Ray Benson

Ray Benson on Wills, weed, and the Wheel.

Interview by Evan Smith

Book Review

Eureka

Reviewed by Mike Shea

Book Review

The Last Jew Standing

Reviewed by Mike Shea

Music Review

Washington Square Serenade

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

The Shepherd’s Dog

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Combinations

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Pat’s Pick

Fearing’s

by Patricia Sharpe

The Filter: Dining

New and Noteworthy

Brasserie Max And Julie, Houston and Soleil Bistro and Wine Bar, San Antonio

by Patricia Sharpe

Jordan's Pick

Big State Festival

by Jordan Breal

The Filter: Events

Museum With a View

State of the Art

Lions and Tigers and Bears!

A menagerie of team mascots at work—and play.

Photography by Jeff Minton

Contributors

Bill Wittliff, Erin Trieb, and Robert Grossman

Roar of the Crowd

All the King’s Men

Editor’s Letter

The Ones That Got Away

by Evan Smith

Big State Festival

by Jordan Breal

Mexican Light: Healthy Cuisine for Today’s Cook/Cocina Mexicana Ligera: Para el Cocinero Actual

Being There: Big Bend

by Sarah Wilson

Eat! Sleep! Terlingua!

Tour two of Suzy Banks’ top picks: the Phat Café and La Posada Milagro Guesthouse.

Twice as Nice: Podcast

Listen to Prudence Mackintosh read her column.

Texas Monthly Talks: Video Extra

Watch Asleep at the Wheel front man Ray Benson on making a play about country great Bob Wills.

Number One With a Bullet: Podcast

Listen to John Spong read his feature story on Miranda Lambert.

by John Spong

Requiem for a Heavyweight: Podcast

Listen to Paul Burka read his column.

by Paul Burka

Barbecue Shrimp Taco

From Fearing’s, Dallas