Christmas in the Plains

I think we all have a tendency to focus on the gift buying, decorating our homes, and spending hours cooking for the upcoming holidays.   But the real magic of Christmas happens at all of the pageants, the parades, Christmas balls, live Nativities, and other Christmas programs.  The Texas Plains Trail Region has them all and more.  Take time to make memories in our region with your family. It's these special moments that they'll remember forever. See what's happening, pick one or two.....and GO.  http://bit.ly/2N6vdW

Friendly Floyd County

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and more pumpkins. Floydada, county seat of Floyd County is home to the Punkin Day Celebrations in October. Read about it here: http://bit.ly/8Mqju9   Floydada is also the birthplace of Country Music Crooner Don Williams.  The communities within this county are Floydada,Lockney, Aiken Dougherty, and  South Plains.  While there visit the Floyd County Museum where you'll find Coronado Expedition artifacts.  http://floydcountymuseum.com/.  The county was named for Dolphin Ward Floyd, who died at the AlamoSpanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado is believed to have come through the area in 1541. In 1871 and again in 1874 Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie's Fourth United States Cavalry came through Floyd County in pursuit of the hostile Quahadi ComanchesThe area is popular with hunters and fishermen, particularly in the fall and winter. The Old Settlers Day Reunion held in Floydada and the Floyd County Fair in Lockney are among the main tourist attractions. 

Come For The Sunsets...Stay For the Peace

   How fine has the day been! how bright was the sun, How lovely and joyful the course that he run! Though he rose in a mist when his race he begun, And there followed some droppings of rain: But now the fair traveller's come to the west, His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best; He paints the skies gay as he sinks to his rest, And foretells a bright rising again. Isaac Watts

The sacred lamp of day Now dipt in western clouds his parting day. William Falconerer

Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon Like a magician extended his golden want o'er the landscape; Trinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Photos by Norbert Schlegel, Shamrock, Texas

A Crowd in Canadian

I don't know how I'd rather spend a crisp, Fall day than in Canadian, Texas during their 2009 Fall Festival.   A perfect day to visit all of the quaint shops at their downtown area plus the Annual Art's  Crafts Fair was the happening place at the school with well over 100 booths to find that perfect gift.  First stop was to the Canadian Visitor's Center to find the maps to all of the places including the historic River Valley Pioneer Museum, the awesome Citadel Art Center,  and the Canadian River Wagon Bridge (Pictured here).   Ate a great lunch at the Fillin Station...but there were so many choices.  My friend Judy and I also made a quick trip out to Lake Marvin to view the beauty of the lake with horse drawn buggies loaded down with visitors.   Aside from the fact that I had a quick "brush with the law"....actually in trying to see the sights in such a short time, I was pushing the pedal just a little too hard.  It didn't keep us from running on over to Lipscomb County too.  Canadian, Texas is a jewel of the Panhandle....a community that has built itself to be a tourist's delight.

Clapping for Crosbyton

Crosby County-Blanco Canyon

What a place!  The Texas Plains Trail Meeting was held at Casa del Sol about 8 miles North of Crosbyton.  Quanah Parker's great-great- grandson was there! What an interesting story to hear.If you are looking for a retreat spot to get away from it all, you could do no better than this beautiful place.  We had the grand tour to one of Texas's finest roadside parks, Silver Falls, then on to the Pioneer Memorial Museum, Mount Blanco Fossil Memorial, Prairie Ladies Multi-Cultural Center.  Crosbyton is a jewel in the rough...a community full of pride in its amazing history.  A place to live...a place to visit.  Coming up soon: Victorian Christmas includes: buggy rides, chili cook-off, Parade of Lights, Santa’s Secret Stocking, Pictures with Santa, Victorian Christmas Feast, play and carols from the time. December 4-5

A Texas Plains Wine Trail?

The next, newest & finest Wine Trail in the Texas Plains Trail Region?  As we offer the Texas's best grape growing soil, it just makes good sense.

Did you know that Rick Vanderpool, one of Texas's most talented & creative photographer/writers, has a new Texas Wine Poster out.  He is an amazing resource to Texas and the Plains Trail Region.To see his unbelievable work, read articles, and order posters, go to the following links:

http://tinyurl.com/ybgj72o    stateart1@earthlink.net   http://www.whatssograpeabouttexas.com/
www.flickr.com/photos/stateart1  

Check out all of the wineries and vineyards in the Texas Plains trail  Region: http://tinyurl.com/mwwe9a

***All  photos were taken by Rick Vanderpool.

Fun Times at the Texas Plains Trail Tourism & Preservation Round-up

Over 120 attendees, fun-filled County donated baskets, handsome cowboy greeters, Texas flags, horse riders, yummy food, and tons of valuable information including hotel tax, partnership ideas, social media skills, best practices, road art, resources and more--YES, INDEED! The 1st Annual Tourism & Preservation Round-up held at Plainview's beautiful Civic Center on August 11, 2009 was a huge success!

The group consisted of chamber, museum, preservation, and civic leaders  who hopefully left with a renewed, excited spirit to get their communities ready for visitors.  The Plainview 4-H Extension Club students under the direction of Beverly Wall wowed the crowd with their skills.  Much thanks to them all for their excellent work in photography (note pictures), and service.  They are to be commended for their willingness to give of their time/efforts/talent.  A big thanks also goes to Sarah Castillo for making it go so smoothly.   Our Texas Plains Board of Directors works hard to promote heritage tourism in our 52-Counties.  Hats off to you all!

 We have so much to offer in the Texas Plains Trail Region and know that our partnerships enable us to do great things. 
Thanks to our speakers: Eric Turner (Plainview Mainstreet), Teresa Caldwell(Texas Historical Commission), Krista Gebbia (Preservation Texas), Remelle Ferrar(Knox County Vision Director), Nancy Cordero (Texas Department of Agriculture), Leslie Matthews (Visit Lubbock), Carol Pirie(Texas Film Commission), Paula Hatfield (Scurry County Historical Commission), Holle Humphries (Outdoor Art), Sid Shaw (Deaf Smith Chamber Director), and Beth Nobles (Mountain Trail Executive Director.

A special thanks to our Sponsors: XCELENERGY, VISITLUBBOCK, UNITED FOOD MARKETs, TRAVELHOST MAGAZINE, CITIES OF BIG SPRING & PLAINVIEW, LUBBOCK ART ALLIANCE, WEST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

The next Texas Plains Trail Tourism & Preservation Round-Up is tentatively set for August 3, 2010.  Mark your calendars.  It will be a conference not to miss.