Most of you have heard of the Maria Lights. Some may have made the trip to go observe the lights. I was always interested in the phenomenon regarding their origin, but never really had the motivation to drive out and see them.
Probably around 20 years ago the family took a week long camping thrip to the Davis Mountains in west Texas. We rented a house for a week. Plans were to go to the McDonnell Observatory, Ft Davis, Alpine and then explore the area. Trip was great, weather was spectacular and we were having a great time.
One evening I was reading about things in the area that we had not seen. I came across an article about the lights. After reading it, I brought it up at supper. We talked about it and decided that it was not that far and we could make a day of looking around Marfa and then go out and check out the lights.
So the next day we drive over to Maria and look in some shops and drive around town. Found a place to eat supper and then headed out to the viewing area. At that time, the State of Texas was building a visitor center and viewing area. It was still under construction. We found a place to park where I thought no one else could come in and get in front of us.
We walked around and started telling ghost stories. Waiting for it to get dark. A few other cars showed up and parked a distance away. All was good. Just before it turned from dusk to dark, a lone woman was walking down the fence line. She came into our area and started talking. Asking where we were from, where were we staying and general small talk.
Finally she ask if this was our first time to watch. I told her yes. She then said that most people look the wrong way. She indicated that most look out across the desert to the southeast (as per the instructions in almost every article I had read). She said that if we really want to make sure to see them, we need to look toward the south west. Still over desert, but definitely against all information that I had.
She walked on and we could hear her telling everyone the same thing. It finally got dark and there were no clouds. We would watch the southeast horizon and see nothing. Mostly watching the stars, and glance back at the horizon every so often. Eventually I climbed up on top of the car and tried from a higher angle. Nothing.
Then I glanced toward the southwest and saw a flicker of light. I called the kids up top and we saw more. Others around us started looking the same way we were. Everyone was excited. We would see a few white and some red lights streaking at various elevations, but just above the horizon. Everyone was trying to take pictures and yelling every time anyone saw the lights.
I could not believe our luck. And then I noticed something. The patterns of red and white lights were repeating in location even though not in time. We noticed the the white lights started high to the far left and would appear and disappear in the same place. The same thing for the red lights. We knew they were not signal lights such as antennae towers or airplanes.
For ten or so minutes we watched. White high and left going to low and the right. The red lights started low and right and climbed to the same spot the white lights started. The only thing that was not similar was the frequency. After about 20 minutes, we were tired and saw the same thing over and over. At first it was exciting, but the repetitiveness got old and lost interest.
All in the car, I started up and checked the mirror to make sure no one was coming. There were some lights coming but I knew I could make the U turn onto the highway in plenty of time. As soon as I crossed the median, the red and blues came on. U turn on a highway in front of State Trooper. I pull over and he comes up.
“Were ya’ll watching the lights?” (Duh!! Middle of the fricking desert at the MARFA LIGHTS viewing area!!)) Me: “Yes Sir, pretty disappointing.” Him: “You were looking in the right spot weren’t you?” Me: “We thought so, but this older woman came up and told us to to look toward the south west. We did see lights but I am pretty sure they are not the Marfa Lights.” Him: “You would be correct. What you saw was Highway 67 some 60 miles away. The headlights and taillights. And that was Crazy Sally telling you to look the wrong way. She’s been around for quite a while telling that to anyone who will listen.” Him:”Where you folks from?” Me: I told hime where we lived and where we were staying. Him: ” Well I feel sorry for ya’ll being duped so no ticket tonight.”
Now that was a nice thing and I really did not expect to get off. But what made it sweeter was that my Ex got pissed. She started yelling how I always get off and she gets tickets. I’m not sure who she was mad at, me or the cop. But I decided to leave it alone.
