Big as Hell and Half of Texas

Big skies dominate the desert and play a large role in the folklore and music of cowboys, ranchers, geologists, artists, and residents. The disposition of small populations and radical weather in these areas lead to neighbors maintaining familial relationships, which can be both trusting and isolating. But in the last few decades, a prevalence of urbanites seeking asylum has begun to alter the fabric of culture in these towns, bringing controversial economies of art and oil which raise property values and threaten a geologically unique ecosystem. Who has embraced this unique yet harsh place? What drives tourists and new residents to join them on the border, and where are they coming from? This documentation was begun in 2011 and is ongoing.

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