Alpine, Texas

We took a little trip to Alpine, Texas today. Our bank is there so Lindsey, Connor and I decided to look around some and take some desert pictures. This little town is the county seat of Brewster County, Texas. The population at last count was 5,906 people. The area had been a campsite for cattlemen tending their herds between 1878 and the spring of 1882, when a town of tents was created by railroad workers and their families. Because the section of the railroad was called Osborne, that was the name of the small community for a brief time. The railroad needed access to water from springs owned by brothers named Daniel and Thomas Murphy, so it entered into an agreement with the Murphys to change the name of the section and settlement to Murphyville in exchange for a contract to use the spring. In November 1883 the Murphys registered a plat for the town of Murphyville with the county clerk of Presidio County. The town's name was changed to Alpine on February 3, 1888 following a petition by its residents. At this time a description of the town mentioned a dozen houses, three saloons, a hotel and rooming house, a livery stable, a butcher shop, and a drugstore, which also housed the post office.

Alpine grew very slowly until Sul Ross State Normal College (now Sul Ross State University), was opened in 1921. The opening of Big Bend National Park in the 1940s further spurred the growth of the town. The population was estimated at 396 in 1904. By 1927 it had risen to 3,000. The 1950 census reported Alpine's population at 5,256, but the 1960 census reported only 4,740 residents. A high of approximately 6,200 was reached by 1976. In 1980 residents numbered 5,465 and businesses 108. In 1990 the population was 5,637. To its now 5906 in 2011.

We took a few pictures of things in the town and the University. Sul Ross State is well known for its rodeos and agricultural emphasis. 

As we were driving home we saw little sand cyclones in the desert, we tried to get a picture of one as you will see in the pictures above. 

Let me fill you in on Captain McQuary.

Well Captain McQuary got home at almost 7pm last night. This prison is quite a bit different than his unit in Dayton. I have a feeling Hightower was much more organized then this unit. One of the issues here is that they can't keep Lieutenants, not sure the exact reason has been pinpointed. Most of the people there just don't want the responsibility of the title, I think. Needless to say, Capt hasn't been able to do much Captaining. He has had to run the unit in other areas. They are talking about putting the Captains on a shift card of 4 days on and 4 days off consisting of 12 hour days. Scott is okay with that part, but unsure when that will start. I think I will like that too, cause he will have 4 days at home with me. It will allow us time to go see Mom (Scott's Mom). He was exhausted when he got in yesterday and very hoarse. He had been yelling at inmates all day. Those of you that worked with him are very familiar with this from him.  He told us a story about a 50/150 inmate or several that is. Apparently this one inmate hit his cellmate. The injured cellmate said that he knows the one that hit him has been going into his locker. The lockers as described by Scott are not able to be broken into by anyone. Scott asked the injured inmate a series of questions, how is your cellmate doing this, have you see him? The answer was I saw him but I don't know how he did it. But I know he did. The inmate just came saying the same thing over and over.  Scott then said you aren't all there are you? The guy says no I am not.  Of course, this is a cleaner version recited to us by Scott then actually happened. 

He said he got to see his office only twice yesterday and that was to allow the Immigration Officers in and out. He said they needed to take a few of the white guys too. haha.

He was exhausted when he got home and thinks he may have to work this weekend too but he hasn't been told yet. I think he will be a great addition to this unit and play a major part in getting it running as it should and more smoothly. And if any of  you Sargents (wanting to promote) or Lieuts in Dayton want to come West, come on...you can stay with us until you find a place. You are greatly needed and welcome. 

Well that's it for today, we are going to Midland tomorrow the kids and I to hang out maybe catch a movie or ChuckECheese.