Rocketbuster

This is a post about cowboy boots, but it’s also a post about this big little town of El Paso. During our first few days in town, I spotted an amazing storefront and the words “space age” and “vintage.” Needless to say, I was intrigued. 

We returned a few days later, and … whoa. ROCKETBUSTER isn’t just boots - they are handmade, measured for each person, pieces of art. These are boots designed to include literally anything you can ever want on a boot. 

The story of Rocketbuster is pretty great as well - back in 1989, after a night of drinking, Marty Snortum, an El Paso area photographer, traded his 1953 Cadillac Hearse for a boot factory. With the logic of “hey, I’d like to make boots like Roy Rogers wore in the movies!” Rocketbuster was born. 

His now wife, Nevena, took over the business after their whirlwind long-distance romance - a New Yorker, she moved to Texas 20 years ago and quickly made El Paso a home. 

Nevena welcomed us into the shop and El Paso - we came to see boots, and we left with a better understanding of community (and tacos in El Paso). 

So, the only question left is … who wants to buy some prints to fund my new cowboyboot dreams? 

El Paso, Texas. March 2018. 

More photos - including action shots and portraits - in our Patreon.



Postcard Giveaway


Holy moly, we’re almost at 1,000 fans on Facebook! To celebrate, we’re giving away a set of Tendency to Wander postcards! What’s the one place you’ve always wanted to visit? Comment below, and we’ll randomly send someone some postcards! Happy traveling - and if you make it to your dream destination, send us a card!

Key West, Florida. January 2018.


Good Friday

Yesterday, in observation of Holy Week and Good Friday, we joined thousands in hiking Mount Cristo Rey. The hike up the 4,675-foot mountain ends with a prayer at the 29-foot limestone statue of Jesus, with pilgrims stopping along the way at the 14 stations of the cross for reflection and prayer. Many hiked barefoot, some carrying large wooden crosses.

Along the way we learned how this day has changed - before 9/11, 20 to 30,000 Catholic Mexicans crossed the border for the pilgrimage. The day was both somber and lively - with stands for popsicles and shaved ice, drinks, holy souvenirs, and more set up at the top of the mountain. Now, ICE and border control keep watch; during our hike we learned of at least two individuals who were escorted off the mountain, accused of crossing the border illegally.


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