LAUNCH

To say MAXINE BENNETT is well-traveled would be an understatement. But even after seeing the world, she says only one locale will always holds a special place in her heart: the small West Texas valley Castle Gap, nestled between King and Castle mountains. It has long lured many hopeful explorers with the promise of treasure, but none have ever discovered it. Bennett grew up watching those explorers comb the earth for hidden riches and now, at 90 years young, she spends her days helping shoppers find treasures of a different sort at her jewelry store, Castle Gap, named for the lore that inspired her so long ago.

Before you opened your jewelry store, you were quite the jetsetter. Tell me about that.

My husband was the superintendent of a drilling company for many years, so we traveled all over the world. I traveled with him for 13 years, doing mostly office administration work, and I’ve been to 31 countries.

Which was your favorite?

Mozambique, because it was so safe and so clean. And the income tax was so fair!