Sunday, December 6, 2009

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



Saturday, December 5, 2009

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. 




Tuesday, October 20, 2009

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






Sunday, October 18, 2009

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.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

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

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

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.



Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Follow Texas Plains Trail on Twitter


Follow us on Twitter to find out the happenings, history, and more at: http://twitter.com/JustPlainsFun

Watch The Texas Plains Trail Video



Thanks to the Friona High School Service Learning Students, you can watch the Texas Plains Trail Video Here:  

http://www.triporia.com/video/1228/Texas-Plains-Trail-Region

Plenty to Do in Plainview


FUN TIMES AT THE FOOL'S CUP IN PLAINVIEW, TEXAS

Snooping Around In Snyder


Don't just sit there! Scurry to Scurry. I mean, hurry to Scurry.  In a recent visit, I couldn't believe what all was there.  Thanks to the Scurry County Historical Commissions tour of the place, I got to see it ALL and more in two days.   Where do I start with this off-the-road-treasure?  Well, I guess from the beginning there was a guy named Pete Snyder who began the town in 1883. A few years later, a guy named Mooar (spelling is correct) killed a WHITE Buffalo where the city now is. As you might know, it created quite a stir. You can find out more at: http://www.ci.snyder.tx.us/  .  Snyder is home to Western Texas College and Scurry County Museum.  You'll find it fun to visit their beautiful City Park, Historic Buildings, very unusual Scurry County Courthouse. ( A courthouse inside a courthouse, indeed!), and eco-hiking trail.  There's always something going on whether it be the White Buffalo Festival, Rodeo, or Cemetery Tours.   I encourage you to snoop around in Snyder.  Find out more at : www. TexasPlainsTrail.com

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Knocking on Knox County's Door


Have you ever received a present not expecting it to contain much? Then you open it to find the most magnificent treasure imaginable. This would be my trip to Knox County. As Regional Coordinator of the Texas Plains Trail Region, you can't even believe the wonderful places I get to go. Everyone of them unique. Everyone of them different. But KNOX COUNTY! Wow and double WOW! This place knocked my socks off with their accomplishments made by their creative, stick-to-it, won't say no attitude. This is the finest example of community partnerships. The towns of Knox City, Goree, Truscott, Munday, and Benjamin have joined forces to showoff the best things in their county. It is rural tourism at its finest. Laying aside school rivalries within the county, these towns have listed their assests, made goals, and like a house on fire, set off to get them done. Everything from quaint shopping stores, decorated tractors, precious bed & breakfasts, hunting opportunities, ranch tours, salvaged buildings, car collections, watermelon feasts--I'm not kidding, I'm in love with this county. I am planning to take visitors to Knox County for an "inspirational tour." They have set the standard for other communities to follow. Visit their website today to find out more: http://www.knoxcountytexas.org/. You will find the people who'll welcome you with open arms. Drop in, won't ya? The visit will make you smile. Tell em' Deborah Sue sent you. Find out more awesome places in our region at: http://www.texasplainstrail.com/.

Stop and SHOP in Seminole

Isn't it great to be driving down a highway on a long trip home, then suddenly get sidetracked by something unexpectedly wonderful? This happened recently to Texas Plains Trail Board Member, Virginia Scott on a return from El Paso. They made a "pit stop" in Seminole, Texas, and just happened to find a sign reading, "SEMINOLE TRADE DAYS!" What luck! Now they certainly couldn't resist, and holy smokes they found treasures galore. Virginia and her traveling companion, Georgia, found food booths (Hot dogs, Mexican food, hamburgers), and lots of booths filled-to-the gills with beautifully crafted items from local artisans. Booths ladened with iron works, jewelry, home decor, purses...well, let's just say, more than can be described --lured the two of them to purchase the following: a set of 4 ceramic garden pots (Inexpensive as compared to retail stores), key hangers for their purses, presents for all the grandchildren, dried salsa dips, homemade dish scrubbies, and peanut patties. (Sidenote: Seminole is #1 in peanuts. You can even have freshly made peanut butter made in a jiffy. No pun intended) Virginia and Georgia apparently left a few dollars in Seminole. They couldn't say enough about all of the items to be had for a few dollars: leather works, birds, farm/ranch supplies, water softeners. After a "short" stop--an hour and a half---stomachs full and trunk loaded, they were happy campers. Needless to say, the two of them could do a commercial for Seminole Trade Days. Virginia stated, "We always drive to our meetings and always find something new that either teaches us, pleases us, or simply mystifies us. That's the beauty of TEXAS."
I don't know about you, but I'm going to find out the upcoming Trade Days in Seminole at http://www.seminoletxchamber.org/. Check out more great places to go in the Plains Trail Region at http://www.texasplainstrail.com/

Nothing Shallow About Shallowater, Texas


Shallowater, Texas, a community Northwest of Lubbock, is anything but one dimensional. It will be evident upon your arrival that its, "Texas roots run deep." This motto has evidently been passed on to the youth. A visit to the school will leave you knowing that the future of Shallowater is in great hands. Under the direction of teacher, Cindy Crouch, and Superintendent Phil Warren, the Service Learning Class have begun the Woodward Heritage Park. Dana and Elleine Woodward, former Shallowater ISD teachers, donated their Heritage Farm artifacts to the district and all have been moved to the Shallowater HS grounds. Structures include the home, and the school house (with the bell). Future projects include adding the windmill, corral, and landscaping. This amazing group of community-minded students have made a commitment to honor their past and embrace the future. Through their efforts, much has been done to improve the town. News headlines these days focus upon teenagers in trouble. Make no mistake, Shallowater has found the key to student involvement. These bright, creative, and visionary kids give presentations that major CEO's would envy. Visit their website at: www. shallowaterisd.net to find out more. The Texas Plains Trail Regional Board of Directors recently had a meeting there, and as a retired teacher, I can say, never have I witnessed a more impressive group of students. If you are needing motivation for your youth, head to Shallowater to see the wondrous things they have done. Shallowater....a great place to visit and live. Check out our website to find more excursions: http://www.texasplainstrail.com/.

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Tales from the Plains Trail Region

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Borger, Texas Plains Trail Region, United States
Striving to inspire others to travel the rugged-beauty of the Texas Plains Trail Region where the grass is greener, the people are friendlier, and the sky is blue. Wow! A great place to live is a great place to visit. C'mon visit the "Texas You Will Remember."

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