Posted on by Phil Strawn

Surfs Up! In Marfa Texas


Catch A Wave And Your Sitting On Top Of The World

Who says there’s no surf in Texas? Dude, we got plenty of waves to groove on, even in the Big Bend Chihuahuan Desert.

As Momo and me departed from Marfa, Texas, traversing the desert and mountains, an SUV with two long surfboards on its roof overtook us. I gestured the timeless sign of approval to the occupants, and they reciprocated in kind. Perhaps they were bound for the Gulf Coast or returning from a journey to California. The vehicle captured in the photograph belongs to Moon Doggy Dan, a seasoned Texas surfer who ventured to Marfa in pursuit of life’s purpose and all the contemporary spiritual nonsensicality.

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11 Replies to “Surfs Up! In Marfa Texas”

    1. I asked the same question to the bartender at Planet Marfa. He said that Moon Doggy gave up surfing a few decades ago, and stays in their meditation Tee Pee most of the time. The SUV with the longboards was confusing..either they were headed to the coast or had been to California. Myself, I gave up surfing in the 90s and gave it a shot a couple years ago on my sons board, it was a disaster.

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      1. Began surfing in the mid 1970s. Like you, gave it up somewhere along the way. Too afraid to try it, worried I might reinjure old injuries.
        As far as roller skating, in high school, Kristi Smith (School District superintendent’s daughter) asked me to go skating with her. She said she’d teach me and “I will hold your hand.” That was enough for me.
        The 1st try, was shaky and I was excited for the hand holding. She let go as she swung me around her side. I hit the floor sliding with both legs wide apart straight into a rail pole. It was a severe hurt. I could not move. They had to stop Clearance Clearwater “Here we come again on a Saturday night
        Oh, with your fussing and your fighting
        Won’t you get me to the right?
        I wanna move

        Playing in a traveling band, yeah
        Well, I’m flying ‘cross the land
        Trying to get a hand
        Playing in a traveling band
        Oh, wow”

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      2. Isn’t it amazing the structural abuse us guys take for gals. I do remember the skating rinks back in the 50s and early 60s. Our band played many “sock hops” at rinks. Rolling to Credence, now that’s the way to go out if you must. My son and two grandsons surf. Wes, my son has a nice collection of vintage surfboards that they use. Thanks for the great reply.

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  2. At least you tried. I never surfed, but I roller skated on our rough road with wavy bumps. I’d fall off the skates when my shoes came out of their adjustable grips. That’s kind of like falling off a surf board only there’s no sharks-just cars that flatten you.

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  4. I never tried surfing but I know it’s hard and will get you in shape. Moon Doggy Dan…I saw him on Gilligans Island! Nope…wrong Moon dog…

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    1. I started surfing in 1963 and gave it up a few years ago, just didn’t have the strength and balance to pull it off. My son and grandsons surf and live on Padre Island near the beach, so they have access to the waves all the time. Moon Doggy Dan, I think the bartender was giving me a line , and I bit. The car is cool.

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