Texas County Progress

The Official Publication of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas

52 Things You Gotta Do – Continued

by

Let Your Plains Trail Journey Begin

FIFTY TWO THINGS YOU GOTTA DO IN THE TEXAS PLAINS TRAIL REGION!

Part Two in a Four-Part Series

Join us as we continue our journey across the 50,000 square miles of the Texas Plains Trail. Our September issue featured 14 magnificent stops, and we continue on in October with another must-see set!

Please insert graphic of map with region in red and list of 52 counties…

 

  1. FIND YOUR WAY TO THE FALL FESTIVAL IN CANADIAN

When Ol’ Mr. Autumn begins to magically sprinkle the earth with hues of gold, yellow and orange, that’s your cue to head to Canadian. Each October, thousands flock to this amazing area in the northeast corner of the Panhandle to shop, eat, and take in nature at its best.  One day certainly isn’t enough time to see it all. The Fall Festival offers walks on the picturesque Canadian River Historic Bridge and wagon rides out at Lake Marvin.   If you plan on touring all of the historic homes, museums, and art centers, you might better block off a week. Oh, don’t miss the Aud dinosaur who welcomes you into town!
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  1. LEARN THE HISTORY OF ADOBE WALLS…THEN GO

If you’re looking for a great Texas history lesson, then all you have to do is drive about 90 miles from Amarillo to Stinnett to Adobe Walls. Stop by Hutchinson County Museum in Borger to get a map (and maybe even a private tour guide.)  With the exception of some historic markers, there’s really nothing out there to view, but listen closely, and you just might hear the echoes of the historic events that took place in that exact spot. In this serene surrounding, it would be hard to imagine that in 1864 and 1874 two decisive battles between the Anglos and the Native Americans took place, which ultimately resulted in the relocation of the Native Americans to Oklahoma.  On this very land, the likes of Kit Carson, Chief Quanah Parker, Billy Dixon, and Bat Masterson made their marks in Texas history. You’ll most definitely want to read more of these famous battles.
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  1. SWING YOUR PARTNER AT THE BOB WILLS DAY CELEBRATION

Bob Wills may be dead, but his legendary life and music are alive and well in Turkey.  Every April, thousands gather in this small, quaint town to dance and sing along to his tunes.   The town has honored his memory with a Bob Wills Museum as well as placing numerous tributes to him around town.  Just for fun and to take part in some good ol’ fashioned swing dancing, put on your boots and scoot on over to Turkey. Can I hear a huge “Ah Hah?”
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  1. READ AT LEAST THREE OF ERICKSON’S HANK THE COWDOG BOOKS

Life is too dang short not to take time out of your busy life to simply read one of John Erickson’s Hank the Cowdog books. This award-winning author from Perryton created Hank in his garage in 1982, and since that time, that ornery, stinky, smarty-britches-of-a-dog has etched a warm spot in our hearts.   Never read one?  Shame on you.  Get yourself to the nearest bookstore, grab a child, use your best coyote singing and menacing dog growl, and I guarantee you, it’ll be a time of laughter for all. Nothing ruff about this request.
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  1. KNOCK AROUND IN KNOX COUNTY

Let’s skip the 52 things to do in the Texas Plains Trail Region, and make that the 52 things to do in Knox County.  This entire county exemplifies what happens when all their competing communities lay down their “who-stuffed-who-in-basketball-100-years -ago” attitude and make a decision to unify for the common good.  The folks of Benjamin, Knox City, Munday, Goree, and Rhineland pooled their resources to form the Knox County Vision Group. And man, oh man, has it made a difference. They began with beautification projects that fancied up the place with awnings, street lights, gorgeous story-telling murals by local artists, and even some very unique tractor art. Although each town is unique, they’ve made a concerted effort to make each more visitor friendly by restoring and repurposing old buildings, adding cozy B & B’s, and setting up tours to bring outsiders in. In Benjamin, the county seat, many precious women served Sunday luncheons for over 40 years all for the purpose of opening up the Wichita on the Brazos Museum. You’ll flip your lid when you see the beyond-amazing cathedral in Rhineland…and in tiny Truscott, well, you just have to go see for yourself. The people of Knox County beg you to “Come Experience Their Brand of Texas,” and I guarantee you, you’ll be impressed. Oh, and by the way, Benjamin just happens to be home of the official State Photographer of Texas, Wyman Meinzer.  If you stop by the Santa Fe on the Brazos store, you just might get him to autograph a book.

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  1. LINGER IN THE QUIET LUXURY OF LIPSCOMB

There comes a time in everyone’s life when you just need to get away, unwind, and stop the world from spinning so fast. There’s a place called Lipscomb County where you can hear the birds chirping, the gentle breeze flowing, walk with turkeys on the courthouse lawn, and have your heart softened listening to Cowboy Poet JW Beeson in his saddleshop that takes you back 100 years ago. Lipscomb County’s history is alive and well at the Wolf Creek Heritage Museum, a small museum that has the qualities of a huge one. Make it a point to see Virginia. Quite a gal. Quite a place. Sure to make the stress fall away.

  1. BEE BOP TO BIG SPRING FOR SOME BIG SURPRISES

Yep, things are done in a big way in Big Spring…and you’ll be astonished at all the BIG events that happen there. They’ve got one of the biggest Rattlesnake Round-Ups around, the Big Spring State Park with outdoor movies, the newly restored Settles Hotel, the Hangar 25 AND Heritage Museum. You want more? Ok…here’s a few more to get you excited: The Big Spring Symphony Orchestra Concert, Pops in the Park, Comanche Trail Festival of Lights, etc., etc. No kidding, it’s a BIG list in Big Spring.

  1. SQUEEZE IN SOME TIME FOR THE CARSON COUNTY SQUARE HOUSE MUSEUM

Definitely nothing square about the community of Panhandle. Well, that is unless you’re speaking of one of the most attractive museums around, the Carson County Square House Museum, which began in the original Square House that was built way back in the 1880s as the railroad arrived in Panhandle. No shabby museum indeed. In fact, it has been awarded a Texas Historical Landmark plaque, entered into the National Register, and accredited by the American Association of Museums.  Although it’s surely a fine centerpiece for Panhandle, you’ll also want to take a look at Cree’s Little Tree southwest of the city acclaimed as the first tree planted throughout the entire region in 1988.  Sadly, Thomas Cree’s tree was accidentally killed by agricultural chemicals in 1969, but fear not, it has been replaced with another Bois d’ Arc. Oh, and speaking of a tight schedule, don’t miss Panhandle’s refurbished downtown area including the historic Texan Hotel and Santa Fe Depot.

  1. SEEK OUT THE SUPRISES IN SEMINOLE

You might already know that country musicians Tanya Tucker and Larry Gatlin were both born in Seminole, but would it shock you to know that Seminole still holds the coldest reported temperature in Texas?  Yep, it’s true. Set way back in February 1933, it was a brrr freezing -23 degrees.  Yet another little revelation is that Gaines County can proudly boast of being the #1 producer of cotton, peanuts, and oil/gas.  They will even make you fresh peanut butter while you wait!  Another little surprising piece of history is that, although somewhat contested, some contend that in 1911 Chief Quanah Parker told observers that he understood his birthplace to be at Cedar Lake in Gaines County.  Flash forward to present day Seminole, and you’ll be astonished at the Seminole Trade Days held the 3rd weekend of every month. Bring your trailer, you’ll need it!

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  1. TAKE IN THE TREASURES IN TULIA

Treasures, you say? Absolutely. It would be hard to have lived in the Texas Panhandle and not know the must-sees in Tulia.  First stop is the Kenneth Wyatt Gallery where this renowned artist (and other family members) sell their fabulous art.  You’ll probably work up a huge appetite, so you can head to the almost equally famous El Camino restaurant which to some hails as the ”King of Mexican Food.”   You’ll want to swish on over to the Swisher County Museum to view their fabulous Native American exhibit.  Now watch yourself downtown as you might run into the Ozark Trail marker which is planted right in the middle of their downtown area.  Here in the “Crossroads of the Texas Panhandle,” you’ll find welcoming folks and a huge history. And from the words of David Nall, Tulia Musician, “Don’t let Tulia Fool Ya.”  It’s a diamond in the rough.

  1. GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR WILD SIDE AT THE MULESHOE WILDLIFE REFUGE

If you are looking for a wildlife adventure, then the Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge, located about 20 miles outside of Muleshoe, is a sure cure for those stay-at-home-blues. Somewhat of a hidden secret, it was the first Wildlife Refuge created in Texas in 1935 during the Great Depression. The buildings raised by the Works Progress Administration under President FDR are still used today.  It’s definitely a birdwatcher’s paradise with the 80,000 Sandhill Cranes who make it their temporary home.  And, if you want to hang out longer with the birds, the refuge is open for hiking and camping. Bring your binoculars and camera!

  1. GALLOP TO GUTHRIE

Now if you ever find yourself at the junction of U.S. Highway 83 & 84, you’ll run into the itsy-bitsy community of Guthrie.  At first glance you may think you’ve wound up in the middle of nowhere. That may be true, but make no mistake, there are big things happening in this tiny town. Yes sir, two of the most legendary ranches in Texas are located in King County. With the Four Sixes and Pitchfork Ranches, Guthrie is populated with more horses than people.  No drugstore cowboys here!  You’ll probably bump into an authentic cowboy at one of the supply houses. (Plus pick up some pretty cool souvenirs.) The friendly, hardworking folks in Guthrie have dedicated their lives to making these the finest ranches around.  While in Guthrie, trot on over to the 1914 King County Courthouse to learn the fascinating history.  Just go…don’t say neigh.