SPECIAL THANKS!

We met some incredible people at the First Annual Marfa Film Festival!

 

Special thanks to these beautiful people!

 

Robin Lambaria: Film Festival Director and Founder

For allowing Black Iguana to be part of the film festival experience! It was awesome!

We hope to be part of the Second Annual Marfa Film Festival!

 

Hotel Paisano: Caffeine Salvation

For providing complimentary coffee!

We may have over-indulged, but it was only because it tasted so good! 

 

Rachel, Fred & Agustin: The Local Scene

For graciously rolling out the welcome mat to beautiful Marfa!

We appreciated all the driving directions!

 

Beverly & Johnny: Free Spirits

For the most interesting and friendliest Close Encounters of the Cadillac Kind.

 

Socorrito: From the Heart 

For that warm abrazo and delicious home-made tamales!

 

Marfa Golf Course Clubhouse:  Chilling Out

For making Black Iguana the #1 beverage!

We had a great time chilling out with the local crowd at the clubhouse!

 

Black Moses: Peace

For taking the time to connect with the Black Iguana team!

Thanks for the invite to Venice, CA!

 

David Modigliani: CRAWFORD Director

For being such a good sport in trying out Black Iguana and letting us film you!

Also, thank you for spending some time after your film screening to answer our questions! It was very late at night, and we know you were tired.

 

Tao Ruspolini: FIX Director

For inviting us in to your LAFCO/FIX RV before your film screening!

Thank you also for graciously accepting our Black Iguana Frozen Ritas! We figured since you traveled all the way from California, you could relax a bit with some Frozen Ritas! We hope you enjoyed them!

We love Lola!

 

Bradley Bores: SODA CAN LOVE Director

For joining us in the Black Iguana fun!

We definitely enjoyed hearing about your film!

 

Dallas Girls: Texas Proud

For hamming it up on camera for Black Iguana!

Pass the word out about Black Iguana!

 

JEM Brothers: Organic Lifestyle

For letting us sample your coffee-nut beverage and to-die-for chocolate!

Much success on your catering business!

 

Eugene Simor: Alamo Beer Co. Owner

For sharing some space with another Texan, Black Iguana!  

We enjoyed your Texas Alamo Golden Ale proclamation at the Crowley Theater! 

And we join your fight against the evil behemoth beer companies!

 

Mark: Friend of Eugene

For hanging out with us at the after party that almost got shut down!

We really enjoyed your filmmaking stories (and of course, your life-saving heroics)!

And welcome back to Texas!

 

 

A Note About the Chronicles

They’re listed and numbered in descending order, from most recent to oldest post. 

To go to the first (oldest) post, scroll to the end of the blog. 

 

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 3 — End of the Road

Empty Black Iguana Ice Chests

SUNDAY (Chronicle #30): Arrived back in Austin at 8:00pm. What an awesome Marfa Road Trip!

Over 1,000 miles of driving in 3 days!

The Marfa Film Festival was worth every highway mile x $3.75 per gallon gas bill!

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 3 — Back to Austin

We Don’t Want to Leave

SUNDAY (Chronicle #29): Today we head back to Austin. It’s been so much fun here in Marfa. None of us want to leave yet!

 

From our hotel in Alpine, we call Agustin in Marfa and make plans to drop off the remaining supply of Black Iguanas. We plan on meeting him at the Hotel Paisano late morning.

 

We arrive in Marfa and of course we need our Java fix — we go straight to the complimentary coffee in the Hotel Paisano lobby. We enjoy our coffee in the beautiful courtyard — it’s breezy, cool and sunny. It’s absolutely perfect. So relaxing!

 

Agustin arrives and we enjoy recapping with him some of our experiences at the festival and getting his perspective on the whole event — what he and his friends think about all these out-of-towners descending on Marfa. Turns out that most of the locals are not following the film festival events. We’ve been the only ones that’ve made any effort to engage with him and his friends.

 

Robin Lambaria (film festival DIRECTOR and organizer) comes by our table in the courtyard. We wish her well and tell her that the film festival is obviously a HUGE SUCCESS!

 

Mercedes Sports Car

We walk over to the Avalanche — Augustin’s truck is parked next to us. Just as we’re getting ready to offload our priceless Black Iguana stash — the Dallas girls drive up in their convertible Mercedes sports car. We offer them a small stash of Black Iguanas and of course they get all excited! We give them instructions that they need to freeze the Black Iguana pouches for the OPTIMUM experience.

 

Who Are You?

Then this guy opens the car’s front passenger door and gets off and stands next to us and asks if we know who he is.

 

Huh? Should we care?

 

Well, it turns out he’s Thomas Garza, one of the festival coordinators. He’s somewhat peeved that we had not contacted him to coordinate our product placement.

 

We quickly dismiss him by responding that we’ve been dealing directly with Robin, the film festival DIRECTOR — from Day 1, we’ve been in touch with Robin. On the other hand, we never once ran into Thomas — but we did hear about him from the JEM brothers. Thomas set up their JEM catering operation in an Airstream on a sand lot across the boarded-up mortuary building.

 

When we offer to let him have a stash of Black Iguanas, he rudely retorts that they’re heading out to get something to eat, and won’t be back until maybe 45 minutes or longer. Stupid move on his part — we counter with that we’re heading out to Austin now.

 

Dallas Girls Rule!

So one of the Dallas girls quickly gets out of the car and offers to take their stash of Black Iguanas to their hotel room’s freezer. The other Dallas girl drives off with Thomas to drop him off and returns back to the Hotel Paisano where we’re parked.

 

We’re hoping the Dallas girls enjoy the Black Iguanas sans Thomas! We’re betting that won’t be hard to do

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — The End

After-Party Scene

SATURDAY (Chronicle #28):  We swing by the after-party at the CW on the highway leading to Alpine. They’re serving Patron, so we opt not to promo our Black Iguanas. An LA band, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, is playing.

 

We meet up with the Alamo Beer Co. owner, Eugene Simor, and his friend from San Antonio, Mark. Eugene’s one of the after-party sponsors — he’s supplying his craft beer for this event. He’s looking a little tired — maybe he’s been drinking too much of his beer?

 

Mark on the other hand, looks like he’s caught his second wind. We stay close to the bar and talk to Mark, who’s also a filmmaker with quite a flair for humor. He’s a very entertaining storyteller!

 

Soon after, we realize that Tequila, beer, wine & spirits are not the only choice at this party — we catch a whiff of you-know-what from the dance floor area. The sheriffs soon show up — followed by TTBC agents. Mark finds out that they’re shutting down the party — the band announces that they’re allowed one more song and then the party’s over.

 

It’s a long, long song. But we decide to cut out before it ends.

 

Several sheriff cars are blocking our exit. We approach one of the officers in the parking lot and ask if he can help us move our Avalanche so that we can drive out. He’s super friendly and has the other law enforcement cars moved — and now we’re back on the highway to Alpine.

 

 

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Black Moses

LAFCO

SATURDAY (Chronicle #27): Jackie hits it off with FIX actor Black Moses at the golf course clubhouse. He’s involved with LAFCO, a filmmakers cooperative in Los Angeles, CA.

 

Black Moses LOVES our Black Iguana Frozen Ritas! He requests a media kit from us — and he’ll help promote it in the West Coast! He extends us an invitation to visit in Venice, CA. The guy is super, super sweet!

 

The filmmakers, including FIX director Tao Ruspoli, are mingling with the locals and enjoying Black Iguanas.

 

The outside screening is almost over, so we decide to wrap it up and head to the after-party.

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Thank You Weather Gods

THERE WILL BE FUN

SATURDAY (Chronicle #26):  The Crawford documentary has had quite an impact on us…we’re kinda in a funk. We’re sitting in the Avalanche, trying to decide whether to continue the Black Iguana promo activities at the Alamo Drafthouse for the outside screening at the Marfa Municipal Golf Course.

 

After a few minutes, we shake off the blues — pop in an Earth Wind & Fire CD… raise the volume to That’s the Way of the World and we’re on our way to the Alamo Drafthouse screening!

 

We take that winding road to the golf course — we were there last night, so we know our way.

 

We park the Avalanche directly in front of the golf clubhouse — that way we can roll the Black Iguana ice chest more easily to the clubhouse patio. It’s not freezing like last night — so people are relaxed and hanging out in the patio. The weather gods are definitely favoring us tonight!

 

We see Robin Lambaria, the film festival organizer!  She’s ready for a Black Iguana Frozen Rita – she’s been working some crazy long hours overseeing the film festival venues. She’s ready to chill! Robin’s done an awesome job with the film festival!

 

We set up the Black Iguana chest outside in the clubhouse patio and the THERE WILL BE FUN begins! We’ve got a little problem — the lanyards are all tangled up in one big ball, but one of the local ladies quickly offers to untangle the mess! Sweet!

 

Can’t keep up with the demand — everyone’s lining up to be “anointed” with the signature lanyard for clipping on the Black Iguana pouch. 

 

Everywhere we look — it’s beautiful people “wearing” and sipping Black Iguanas and having a beautiful moment!

 

The Black Iguana ice chest is EMPTY. Mission accomplished!

 

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — CraWford Population 705

Stunned

SATURDAY (Chronicle #25):  They finally open the doors to the Crowley Theater for the  screening of the documentary film, Crawford.

 

We take the middle seats in the bottom first row — it’s a full house. The film festival coordinator announces that there will be a Q&A session with filmmaker David Modigliani after the screening.

 

Crawford is an engaging glimpse into small town life and politics. The film’s ending is totally unexpected — it’s left us completely stunned. The film credits start to roll, the theater lights come on, and the crowd begins to file out; unfortunately there will not be a Q&A session with David. Outside we spend a few minutes with David, asking him some questions about the principal characters.

 

We walk back to the Avalanche — we’re somewhat emotionally shocked with the film’s ending. This is one film you should NOT miss!

 

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Cheap Shots

Patron Tequila Shots

SATURDAY (Chronicle #24):  We’re back at the Crowley Theater. We get in line to buy our entrance tickets for the Crawford film screening. Things are running a bit behind schedule, so we’re having to wait outside in line — and it’s getting very chilly (in the 40s).

 

Patron is one of the film festival’s sponsors. They’ve got a table set up against the front entrance of the theater. There’s some empty Patron Tequila bottles on the table — who’s been handling those bottles? A woman is walking up and down the ticket line with a tray offering free Tequila shots in those tiny plastic cups — they’ve even run out of lime slices. Very cheap presentation!

 

No one’s too enthused about taking Tequila shots… the Patron woman keeps starting at the head of the ticket line and running out of shots by the time she reaches the middle of the line. Someone finally advises her to start at the middle of the line and work her way to the back of the line. 

 

The next run of Patron Tequila shots is done by filmmaker David Modigliani. The guy in front of us thought David was one of the festival volunteers — didn’t realize that David was the filmmaker. Somehow, that just doesn’t seem right — having the filmmaker doing Patron’s promo job.

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Recharge for More Magic

Magical Earrings

SATURDAY (Chronicle #23):  It’s time to head back to Alpine to rest a bit — we know it’s going to be a long, long night again at the film festival.

 

We drive back to Alpine and stop at Mi Tesoro to pick up Regina’s set of custom earrings that match the necklace she bought on Friday. The necklace and earrings are original jewelry pieces designed by Mi Tesoro owner Susana Sandoval.

 

The beautiful earrings are simply magical!  There will be more magic tonight! Susana has cast her magic spell on the necklace and earrings — to ward off all negativity and attract all that is good and positive!

 

We shall return to Marfa later tonight for the Crawford film screening! There’s a lot of buzz about this film. We missed the film screening at the SXSW Festival in Austin.

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Adobe Moon

Best BBQ West of the Pecos

SATURDAY (Chronicle #22): Eugene Simor, the Alamo Beer Co. guy and his friend, Mark, had recommended that we check Adobe Moon out for some great BBQ.

 

The place has great outdoor seating and there’s an actual teepee set up on the grounds.

 

Eugene and Mark were absolutely right! The BBQ is awesome!

 

Their slogan is “Serving the best BBQ West of the Pecos.”  Great food, great friends — great time!

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Prickly Pears

Wanna More Iguana

SATURDAY (Chronicle #21):  We’ve got some time to kill before the next film screening, so we check out the art gallery social on the main street. Our new friends, Beverly and Johnny, are there.  The California bunch is also there — they recognize us and in no time, we’re handing out more Black Iguanas. They all wanna more iguana!

 

A couple who had not tried Black Iguana before had seen some people walking around with the Black Iguana pouches clipped to lanyards and had thought they were special VIP passes! How cool is that?!

 

One LA film enthusiast thinks Black Iguana is perfect for the West Coast party scene!

 

Beverly and Johnny sample their Black Iguanas — they’re really impressed. Johnny starts asking us about our plans for other flavors — we mention that Strawberry will be available starting next week, and Mango is in the plans. He suggests prickly pear, which has a deep purple color and a great tangy/sweet taste. Prickly pears (the fruit from the cactus plant) are edible and sold in stores under the name “tuna.” Although seasonal, prickly pears are plentiful in this region as well as in Mexico and could be harvested easily — creating a local economy.

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Filmmaker David Modigliani

CRAWFORD – A Documentary

SATURDAY (Chronicle #20):  As we continue to hand out free Black Iguanas in front of the Crowley Theater, we meet Austin filmmaker David Modigliani  — who’s willing to try Black Iguana. He’s such a great sport! Regina begins to video him as he begins to talk about Black Iguana. And it’s obvious that he likes the taste of the Frozen Rita. This could be a great Black Iguana commercial!

 

He then begins to describe his documentary film (set in Crawford, Texas) that examines the effects on this small town and its residents from the day President Bush bought the Prairie Chapel Ranch in 1999 through 2007. Crawford — dubbed ”The Western White House” — is close to Waco, Texas.

 

David talks with great admiration about one of the film’s main characters — a teacher. His film will screen tonight — so we’re definitely planning to see it!

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — It’s Primo Promo Time

Dallas Girls Kickstart the Promo

 

SATURDAY (Chronicle #19): The movie lets out at the Crowley Theater — the crowd is walking out into the bright sun. It’s a clear blue sky — completely cloudless.

 

The Black Iguana team is ready — it’s promo time! The Avalanche is parked directly across the street and we open one of the Black Iguanas ice chests.

 

Two girls are walking toward us. We call out to them: “Wanna Iguana? Where are y’all from?” We find out that they’re from Dallas. One says: “I was just thinking that it was time for a cocktail!”  We quickly set ‘em up with Frozen Ritas and clip the Black Iguana pouches to the lanyards which we sling over their heads. The Dallas girls take a  sip —  “WOW, these are great margaritas!” Regina gets the video camera rolling — and the Dallas girls begin to really ham it up for us.

 

In no time, we’ve got the crowd clamoring for Black Iguanas. Groups of three, four start to approach us. We’re handing out Black Iguanas as fast as we can — but we still take the time to point out that Black Iguana Frozen Ritas are made with Agave wine imported from Jalisco, the premier Tequila region in Mexico. The Black Iguana production plant is located in Tomball, Texas (just outside of Houston).

 

The LA people (and there’s quite a few of them) have never heard of Tomball, Texas — they think it’s the name of a guy as in “Tom Ball.” They may have no idea of where Tomball is located — but they now know that Black Iguana is the best-tasting Texas-produced margarita beverage!

 

Black Iguana is PRIMO!!

 

 

OAD TRIP DAY 2 — Black Iguana KOs the Alamo Beer Co. Guy

Beer Just Gives You Bad Breath

 

SATURDAY (CHRONICLE #18): We walk up to the Crowley Theater — the Alamo Beer guy’s under a beach umbrella and is serving samples.

 

It’s a one-man show — owner Eugene Simor is dispensing Alamo Golden Ale Lite (half-cup) servings.  It’s high noon so it’s warming up fast, and the crowd sitting on the theater’s front entrance platform is ready to try something else other than beer.

 

We wave some Black Iguanas at them and yell out “Frozen Ritas!” Now we catch their attention. The Black Iguanas are freezing cold — the pouches are frosty — and the crowd is primo for Black Iguanas!

 

Some of the guys ditch their beer and the girls are excited and glad to try something that’s way more refreshing. You can drink only so much beer, before you just end up with bad beer breath.

 

We help them slip on the neck lanyards to clip on the Black Iguanas — THAT is a huge hit with this crowd! Looks like the Frozen Ritas are an all-out sensation!

 

The Alamo Beer Co. guy — putting on a comedy act next to his keg of beer, rigged with a beach umbrella — doesn’t stand a chance. Sorry Eugene — Black Iguana just has the better goods — and a film crew!

 

The buzz is all about Black Iguana — the cool pouch and the crazy fun wearing it clipped to a neck lanyard.

 

We’re fielding questions about where it’s made, where the cool name “Black Iguana” came from…  BUZZZZ …  Black Iguana rocks!!

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Soccer

Just You & the Ball

 

SATURDAY (CHRONICLE #17):  As we left JEM’s setup, Paul started playing around with a soccer ball. “All you need to play soccer is an open space and a ball. You can play soccer by yourself. Unlike football, baseball — you don’t need a team, or a special field.  You can just have fun kicking the ball around.” – JEM.  We believe you!

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Vintage Airstream

Looking for Free Hamburgers

SATURDAY (CHRONICLE #16):  Beverly and Johnny tell us that they’re giving out free hamburgers behind the Crowley Theater — to look for an Airstream across what used to be the town’s mortuary building. Huh? 

 

So we walk a couple of blocks and spot the silver Airstream which is set up in an empty sand lot behind the theater and yes, it’s across the town’s boarded-up mortuary. Some outdoor chairs and some cool surfboard-looking benches are set up next to the Airstream.

 

We’re just kinda standing around and trying to figure things out — we don’t see anyone sitting around eating. A couple of guys step out from the Airstream — we recognize one of the JEM caterers, Dan — and he yells, “Are you looking for food?” Hell yeah, especially if it’s free — and it’s noon time and we’re hungry.

 

We walk into the Airstream — Dan tells us it was set up for them by one of the festival coordinators, Thomas Garza. We don’t see any hamburgers — so we’re wondering what kind of food they’ve got. We strike up a conversation with Dan about the great-tasting coffee-nut beverage samples that he gave us at the outdoor screening last night at the golf course. His brother, Paul, joins in.

 

Then we mention our encounter with Beverly and Johnny and the Soltol, their home-brewed chocolate liqueur, and the many other interesting libation treats in the trunk of Beverly’s Cadillac. Turns out they too had similar Close Encounters of the Cadillac Kind, so they ask us how we’re holding up. So far, we’re still feeling OK.

 

We hand them some free Black Iguanas for them to sample, with a full rundown of where it’s produced, where the Agave wine comes from, how to look us up on the Web. They love the product — especially the pouch design and how the pouches can be clipped on to a neck lanyard. Since they’re caterers, we tell them they only need a beer/wine permit to sell Black Iguana (because it’s made with Agave wine).

 

We try some of their decadently rich chocolate candy. Super, super rich! Their JEM business is all about organic food — healthy food for the body and soul.

 

Jackie gives them a friendly 101 crash course on how to co-market their organic chocolates with different types of wine — by using “emotion & mood” descriptions to make it easier for someone to decide what to buy. “Feeling adventuresome? — then this is the wine and chocolate you want.  Want to celebrate a big win?  — then this wine and chocolate are the perfect combo” Dan and Paul totally catch on.

 

We never did get any burgers, but we really enjoyed our visit with the JEM brothers!!  JEM stands for Just Enjoy Me (Enjoy Your Food. Enjoy Life.)

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Beverly & Johnny

Geronimo Cadillac & Poco Loco

SATURDAY (CHRONICLE #15):  We walk back to the Pavillion square and buy 1 dozen homemade tamales from one of the food vendors, Socorrito. She cooked them this morning, so they’re still a bit warm and perfect for this chilly morning — we get 1/2 dozen pork and 1/2 dozen chicken — they’re delicious!

 

At the far end of the Pavillion square is a display of custom hand-crafted metal chimeneas — we meet up with local artists Beverly and Johnny — two of the most interesting, kind, and friendly people we’ve met so far.

 

They share their Mexico travel adventures and mucho, mucho mas with us. Beverly has us walk over to her car and pops open the car trunk. She pulls out a bottle of Sotol and offers us a swig. She tells us that Sotol is the state drink of Chihuahua and is produced like the more common artisanal mescal. The one that we tried has a distinct “mesquite” flavor to it. Then she pulls out a brown glass jug that contains her homebrewed chocolate liqueur, which is absolutely out of this world. WOW!

 

All this (and more) she carries in the trunk of her elaborately painted one-of-a-kind Geronimo Cadillac. Beverly and Johnny also have a Poco Loco jeep that they travel in when they venture out to visit the remote villages in the deep interior of Mexico.

 

We promise to bring them some Black Iguana Frozen Ritas for them to try!

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Hidden Lens

Filming the FIX Crew

SATURDAY (CHRONICLE #14): While in the Marfa Book Co. shop, we notice that the FIX crew is setting up in the middle of the street — right in front of the book shop. They begin to film — with the Marfa courthouse in the background. Jacolyn Jonet, Black Moses and Lola the white bulldog are in the scene — walking in the middle of the street toward the courthouse. Regina films them from inside the book shop.

 

Turns out they’re filming the last scene for their on-the-way-to-Marfa short comedy MARFA, MY DEAR.

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Marfa Book Co.

No More Coffee/Wine Bar

SATURDAY (CHRONICLE #13):  We walk over to the Marfa Book Co. shop — very chic. The entrance door won’t open. One of the local cowboys (standing behind us) points out that we’re wearing boots — to just give a swift kick to the door to open it. We don’t kick the door in, but we manage to push it open.

 

Where’s the coffee/wine bar?  Oh no! It’s gone! The place is just not the same without the coffee/wine bar — the ambience is not quite as inviting and relaxing. We really miss being able to sip a latte or a glass of wine while browsing.

 

Lynn Goode Crowley and her husband, Tim, opened the Marfa Book Company in 1999.

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Downtown Stroll

Elvis Sighting

SATURDAY (CHRONICLE #12):  We decide to just stroll downtown. There’s a school fundraiser going on at the Pavillion square next to the railroad tracks. There’s an Elvis impersonator by the tracks waving at us – yep, even in Marfa. Turns out the Elvis impersonator is a ‘she’ — got her Elvis outfit for a Halloween party. She had so much fun with it that she jumped at the chance to do it again for the school fundraiser.

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 2 — Full Agenda

Game’s On

 

SATURDAY (CHRONICLE #11):  We get up early and our plans are to spend the entire day out in Marfa. It’s 45o this morning  — the Black Iguana ice chests are in good shape! We load up the video equipment. We’ve got our sunglasses — we put in a Shakira CD and we’re on the road again. 

 

We’re excited about the festival — we’ve got a full day’s agenda. The State Troopers are up and down the highway — but we’ve been forewarned, Robin put out an alert about this in her festival information. Thanks Robin! 

 

We arrive at Marfa and go to the Hotel Paisano and make a straight line to the complimentary coffee table in the lobby. It’s the best coffee in town! (The Marfa Book Shop used to have an awesome coffee/wine bar, but it no longer does. Unfortunately, that kinda took some of the charm away from the book shop.) 

 

The film festival desk is open — but Robin’s not there. She’s already at the Crowley Theater handling the early morning events.

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — Outside Screening

Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow

 

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #10):  The road leading up to the Marfa Municipal Golf Course is long and winding — it’s pitch dark. We’re following some cars ahead of us — and that’s a good thing because there are no street lights out here!

 

We can see some twinkling lights to the right of the road. We turn in to a gravel road leading up to the golf course. We almost miss the entrance and ram into the barbed wire fence. There’s plenty of parking space — but it’s pitch black. We’re going to need a flashlight to make our way from our parking spot to the clubhouse.

 

We unload our fold-out chairs and blanket. The golf clubhouse is still some distance away.

 

We’re glad we’re wearing boots! We walk in — pay for our tickets — and then walk across the golf course to the area where the huge Alamo Drafhouse inflatable movie screen (20 x 40 ft) has been set up.

 

Some people are already camped out there. We find a spot next to the Alamo Drafthouse truck that has the film projection system. Tonight’s feature is Charles Laughton’s classic The Night of the Hunter — a little too preacher creepy for us.

 

JEM

Before the movie starts, JEM caterer offers us sample servings of their coffee-nut beverage. It’s awesome! JEM stands for Just Enjoy Me — they’re set up to provide organic food catering services.

 

Freezing Cold

The temperature drops to the low 40s — we’ve got the blanket wrapped around us but we still can’t keep warm enough. We try some free Tequila shots in the clubhouse, but that still didn’t help. It’s just too freezing cold, we’re tired and it’s time to head on back to Alpine and get some sleep.

Jackie Arrives

Our friend Jackie arrives late at night — she flew in from Austin to Odessa and then drove to Alpine! She unloads the video equipment which we’ll use tomorrow for interviewing and filmming at the festival. Thanks Korey for letting us borrow your film equipment!!

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — After Party

Maiya’s Restaurant

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #9):  The after-party crowd is at Maiya’s. We walk in and it’s shoulder-to-shoulder — absolutely packed! The bartenders are hopping busy! Agustin and Fred and their friends are there. We get directions from them on how to get to the Marfa Municipal Golf Course where the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow has set up their outdoor screen. They also warn us that it will be very cold — and to be sure to take some blankets.

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — Giant

Jett’s Grill

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #8):  We’re just too hungry and it’s going to be a long night, so we slip out the theater before FIX finishes.

 

We drive back to the Hotel Paisano and walk into Jett’s Grill (the restaurant name pays homage to the film GIANT. Jett Rink was the James Dean role). Great food and super service — they’re short on wait staff, but you hardly notice because they’re that good!

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — FIX Screening

FIX Screening at the Goode Crowley Theater

 

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #7): We take the end seats in the bottom row of the middle section of the theater, which used to be a feed store in the 1940s.

 

It’s been extensively renovated. It has stadium style seating — with classic wooden theater seats (purchased from Ebay) on wooden risers.  

FIX is a frantically paced one-day odyssey through Los Angeles that chronicles a filmmaker’s attempt to get his brother from jail to rehab. It’s shot in the first person by the actors in the film. The film’s director, Tao Ruspoli, won the Heineken Red Star Award for “the most progressive and gifted independent film director” at the 2008 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — Friends

Making Friends

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #6):  Since we’ve got some time to kill before the FIX screening, we take a stroll along the main street to check out some of the art galleries. The air is so crisp and cool and we’re just blissfully sipping our Frozen Ritas. As we cross the street, we notice a group of guys ‘wearing’ Black Iguanas around their necks.  Hmm…how/where did they get ‘em? 

 

The guys smile as we greet them with a “Black Iguanas!” cheer. They raise their Black Iguanas. We walk over to them and ask them “where did y’all get the Black Iguanas?”  One guy, Agustin, said “from the back of a truck.”  Huh? … Did we not lock the tail gate of our Avalanche?  Did somebody break in and take our Black Iguana ice chests? Yikes!

 

Turns out our friend, Rachel, had given them the Black Iguanas. As we’re talking to them, Rachel shows up with her cute, adorable baby and her husband, Craig.  We introduce ourselves and the guys do the same. Fred (photographer with the Big Bend Sentinel) begins to take photos of everyone sporting their Black Iguanas.

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — Premier Day

Black Iguana Premiers at Marfa Film Festival

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #5):  We walk across the street from where we’re parked to the Goode Crowley Theater. The FIX airstream is parked next to the theater –– and the film crew is there. So is Lola, a most lovable looking white bulldog who’s just lazily chilling out in her little on-the-road doghouse.

 

FIX filmmaker Tao Ruspoli is in the airstream –– he invites us in. We’ve been on the road way too long, so we’re not quite ready to climb into another vehicle space. So instead, we offer him and his friends –– what else? –– Black Iguanas!

 

Eyes are on us passing out these intriguing Black Iguana pouches with lanyards.

 

Filmmaker Bradley Bores is intrigued. He’s now sipping on a freezing cold Black Iguana and talking about his film, SODA CAN LOVE, which will be screened on the last day of the festival.

 

 

The crowd has definitely taken notice, and we pass out a few more Black Iguanas. So within minutes, we’ve introduced Black Iguana and they’re loving it!

 

The black pouch, the neck lanyard to clip on the pouch, the perfect frozen consistency, and the awesome margarita drink taste — Black Iguana is a huge premiere hit!

 

 

ROAD DRIP DAY 1 — Welcome

Welcome to Marfa

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #4): We get a couple of Black Iguanas – we clip ‘em on to lanyards, slip ‘em over our heads, break open the spout and insert the straws. Hey, it’s been a long, long drive and we’re ready for some Frozen Ritas! We check our festival program printout and see that FIX will be screened at this theater.

 

As we’re pushing one of the Black Iguana ice chests back into the bed of our Avalanche, Rachel (with the Judd Foundation) approaches us. “So that’s the Black Iguana!” That was THE  best welcome to Marfa we’ve received so far that day!  We hand our new friend, Rachel, some Black Iguanas for her and her staff — “they’ve been working really hard.”

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — Marfa

Looking for Robin 

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #3): After a short rest, we’re now finally on our way to Marfa. It’s about 6:00pm so we’re driving right into the sun. Sunsets out here are spectacular!

 

We’re going to meet up with festival director/founder Robin Lambaria at the Hotel Paisano (the film festival headquarters). Checked the Black Iguana ice chests – the dry ice is still holding up. Marfa’s only about 25 miles from Alpine. 

 

Coming to the main road in Marfa, leading to the Hotel Paisano and the town courthouse.

  

As we walk in, the hotel lobby looks empty — don’t see a film festival registration desk. The hotel clerk informs us that the film festival staff has left, but thinks we can find Robin at the Goode Crowely Theater just a few blocks away. 

 

We take a wrong turn and end up at the Marfa High School, we turn around and go the opposite direction where we see a crowd mingling outside a warehouse-type structure, which happens to be The Goode Crowley Theater.

 

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — Alpine

We Have Arrived!

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #2): Arrived at Alpine at 11:30am. Alpine is home of Sul Ross State University and a budding arts community, and gateway to Big Bend National Park. Why do they call it Alpine?

Our room at the Ramada Inn is still not ready — showed up too early. May be ready by 1:30 at earliest.

Holland Hotel

Not a problem… we’ll go get something to eat at the Edelweiss Restaurant in the historic Texas landmark Holland Hotel, which also houses a Micro Brewery! Food is great — we have the entire restaurant to ourselves — where’s everyone? The waitress tells us that the brewery opens for the evening. We’ll have to check it out some other time.

 AmTrak Station

OK, now we’re walking in the quaint downtown section. Highway US 90 runs right through it. The AmTrak station is across and one block away from the Holland Hotel. The weather is absolutely perfect — cool and sunny!

 

Ivey’s Emporium

We walk into Ivey’s Emporium. Prominently displayed is The Trail of Painted Ponies merchandise, painted by Presidio High School art students under the direction of artist and art teacher Laurie Holman. The designs honor the historic Native American tradition — the “Painted Pony” was the “war horse” for Native Americans. Proprietor Bill Ivey is also owner of the famous Ghost Town in Terlingua.

Mi Tesoro

A side entrance from the Emporium leads into Mi Tesoro, a small family business that designs and creates custom jewelry. Some of their vintage jewelry pieces are from master silversmiths in Taxco. Owners David Busey and Susana Sandoval’s original jewelry designs are a blend of Mexican and Southwestern cultures. These pieces are absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous! The shop also features vintage artwork and prints from the 1930s and ’50s. Susana has us try on some of her jewelry originals, modeling them as she takes photos. And of course, one of us walks out with a $230 silver necklace that is magical! Susana offers to include a pair of earings that she’ll design to match the necklace — we’ll need to pick them up tomorrow (Saturday).

 

ROAD TRIP DAY 1 — On the Road

The Adventure Begins

FRIDAY (CHRONICLE #1): Today is road trip DAY 1. It is the day that we’re heading out to Marfa. We are excited! And hopefully awake enough to drive.

Got up at 3:00am. Prepared breakfast tacos.

Very Important: Loaded the Black Iguana ice chests on the Avalanche. It’s not like we can reach Marfa, then find out that we forgot the Black Iguana Frozen Ritas — and then be able to say “Ooops, be back in just a sec — we forgot to load the Black Iguanas.”

Ready to go! On the road at exactly 4:15 am. Talk about staying on schedule!

Downside: Nothing’s open at this hour — all Starbucks are closed. Not to panick…we can stop at first coffeehouse that’s open.

Heading out on I35 and then getting on 290 West. Videoing the city. Austin skyline looks awesome!

Music: Carly Simon’s new CD (available at Starbucks)

We’ll go through Oak Hill, Dripping Springs, Johnson City, Fredricksburg. Hardly any traffic at this hour — sailing right on through — this is awesome! The breaksfast tacos smell really good. But we’re waiting to pick up some Java…we NEED our Java fix. The plan is to get our Java in either Johnson City or Fredricksburg.

OK. We’ve just passed Johson City — no luck, no coffeehouse open.

We’re driving s-l-o-w-l-y through Fredricksburg — pleeeze, let there be a coffeehouse OPEN. Feeling a little panicky. Last resort & VERY desperate option: pick up coffee at a gas station.

We’re now at Junction — we just spotted a cafe with an OPEN sign on.  YES! Finally, we can have our Java fix.

Folks are surprised to see us this early in the morning…it’s obvious, we’re not local. The girl at the register is looking at us closely, but is too polite to ask us any questions. We order our Java to-go, large size (this is not a place where you order tall, grande, or venti ). We climb back into the Avalanche, and we’re on the road again.

Making great time! We’ve just picked up I10 West — heading to Sonora, then Ozona, Sheffield, Bakersfield, and Fort Stockton.

Music: Dixie Chicks — The Long Way Around

Time to RIP OPEN the taco bag — mmmm good. Can’t type on the laptop, hold breakfast taco in one hand and Java with the other. So, time to log off for a while. 

[We'll post pictures and video later.]

Hello everyone!

Black Iguana Hits the Road!

The adventure begins at 4:00 am May 2 as we head on out from Austin to Marfa, Texas for the first annual Marfa Film Festival! The media buzz is that it will become the “Sundance” film mecca of Texas! Can’t wait to get there!

Road Trip Chronicles

Here’s the best part of our road trip chronicles — we are taking Black Iguana Frozen Ritas to give away free to all those film aficionados at the festival!

We’re not saying exactly how many — but there will be plenty of pleasure to pass around. What could be more perfect — sipping frozen margaritas in the high-desert and catching some awesome sunsets!

We know, we know — the festival starts today (May 1) – so we’re gonna be 1 day behind. But, when Black Iguana arrives — THERE WILL BE FUN.

We will be interviewing, taking pictures and videoing — so stay tuned!

All you Austinites — Black Iguana will soon be in your area too! 

Hook ‘em horns!