things to see and do in Texas

Odessa to Perryton on Our Texas Tour

Posted by diannbayes on

Exploring the Panhandle

Texas Plains Trail Region

It was whirlwind tour through the Texas Plains Trail Region. This is definitely farming country. Having lived for five years in the panhandle during my elementary, junior high, and high school years, I was well-prepared for the beauty of the farming communities that are so vital to the U.S. fuel, food, and fiber.

Remainder of a wheat field and a growing corn field with an irrigation system.

Andrews, Seminole, and Morton, Texas

We traveled from Odessa through a number of small west Texas towns, including Andrews, Seminole, and Morton

Muleshoe, Texas

We would have loved to have the time to visit the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge outside of Muleshoe but this was the longest day of traveling for us, not just because of the miles but because it was the longest day of the year, literally. Known for an influx of sandhill cranes at certain times of the year, we would love to have seen them this go around but hope to come back again for wildlife viewing.

Bailey County Courthouse in Muleshoe.

Farwell, Texas

We headed to the town of Farwell, just over the railroad tracks from Texico, New Mexico. Interesting little place. We learned that before New Mexico became a state, a Mr. Farwell, the town’s namesake, a big boss from XIT Ranch saw that the ranch would be losing more than 962 square acres of land if the new state’s line was drawn. Being a friend of President Taft, he encouraged him to have the Texas state line corrected so that it didn’t line up with Oklahoma. You can take a look at a map and see for yourselves. Some in New Mexico have apparently been upset ever since.

Welcome sign into Farwell, mural at Annie & Martha’s Artisan Bakery, and entry into The Apple Shack Orchard in Farwell.
We have no idea what these birds were, but they were all over the trees in a park we visited while in Farwell. If you have any ideas, let us know.

Texas Marker outside of Farwell, TX and Texico, NM.

Friona, Texas

We traveled on through Bovina, Friona, and Hereford, spotting more farms and ranches along the way. We learned after the fact that Friona is the Cheeseburger Capitol of Texas. Sorry we missed out this time.

Vega, Texas

At the intersection of I-40 and Hwy. 385, Vega is part of historic Route 66.

Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, Texas

Saw the impressive entryway to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, founded in 1938.

Channing, Texas

Hartley County’s Quanah Parker Trail includes Channing and the XIT Ranch General Office Building.

Dalhart, Texas

We continued through Dalhart, Texline (the furthest point northwest in the Texas panhandle, and Stratford.

Conlen, Texas

We came across Tex as we were driving through Conlen. Had to snap a shot of him. Isn’t he the cutest?

Grain elevators of all shapes and sizes can be seen for miles across the plains.

Perryton, Texas

We continued through Gruver and Spearman and arrived in Perryton. Unfortunately, Watonga Cheese Factory, the Wheatheart of the Nation, was closed so we couldn’t check out this great place established in 1940. Looking forward to our final leg of our nine-day quest across Texas.

Until next time from Texas … safe travels!

Published by diannbayes

I’m Diann. Founder and #1 Quester at How Big Is Texas. I'm a granfluencer, storyteller, blogger, podcaster, photographer, and Native Texan exploring the highways and byways of the Lone Star State.

2 Comments Add yours

  1. Stefanie Clevenger says:
    June 23, 2020 at 10:35 am

    https://thetexasbucketlist.com/2018/10/the-texas-bucket-list-buddys-drive-inn-in-andrews/

    Too bad you didn’t get a taste of Buddy’s. My mother-n-law calls it “heart attack in a sack”!!!

    Reply
    1. diannbayes says:
      June 28, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      We need to do it again, only slower. And in a bigger vehicle after eating that much. 😀

      Reply

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