Marfa, Texas: A Masterpiece in the Middle of Nowhere

More than a decade ago, I read about an unexpected and logistically complex art installation in a place called Marfa, Texas: a free-standing real-life replica of a luxury brand storefront literally in the middle of nowhere ... as in, the nearest city was almost four hours away. Over the years, I'd research what a trip to Marfa would entail, but then I'd give up when I realized it requires a three-hour flight (to El Paso) on top of a three-and-a-half-hour drive with nowhere to stop in between. And then every few months I'd get the itch to go to Marfa all over again. Now that I've been there, I can't wait to get back.

Roughly one half hour before reaching Marfa, you'll pass through the West Texas town of Valentine where artist John Cerney's "Giant Marfa" installation pays homage to the 1956 Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean film "Giant" which was filmed in the same exact spot. Travel tip: Be sure to look out for it on your left as you're headed in from El Paso. It's surprisingly easy to miss when you're zipping down the highway facing the camouflaged backsides of the structures, but once you pull over and see it all from the front, its grandeur stops you in your tracks.

As you step out of your vehicle, you'll find yourself drawn to classic 1950s music blaring from hidden speakers just beyond the fence. Look more closely and you'll discover that artist John Cerney created these seemingly ornate structures by simply using basic plywood, including the mansion facade, a director in a director's chair and a grip handling lighting equipment.

Just a short distance from "Giant Marfa" is the iconic Little Reata signage seen in the Academy Award winning film. Little Reata is the name of the ranch owned by James Dean's character in "Giant," Jett Rink.