The Texas landscape west of Amarillo. June 12, 2011.
One of the first decisions Betsy and I had to make when planning our trip west was to fly or to drive. There were advantages and disadvantages to each means of travel, but since our Prius, Mrs. P, is comfortable and gets 50+ MPG, we decided to drive so we could see more of our great country.
I must admit that I found the different landscapes we saw on our recent trip to be fascinating. I’ve spent most of my life in the Midwest, in the Carolinas and here in Tennessee. The wide open spaces of Texas were amazing. At times it seems you could see forever. We thought Texas looked as dry as it is in fact.
We passed a corral around an old-fashioned windmill. We didn’t see any cattle around what I assume is a water station, but it did help break up the horizon.
Trees with green leaves were so rare that we were excited to see the trees around those buildings in the distance. If you look closely you can see wind turbines on the horizon to the left of the trees.
As we got closer to New Mexiico, we began to see some mesas on the horizon. We also noticed a little more green in the landscape.
There were even more windmills now and then.
Senior Moments 
July 14, 2011 at 3:54 am |
Beautiful vistas, George. Larry and John were also amazed at the lack of trees.
July 14, 2011 at 5:06 am |
Parts of Texas can be a long.. lonely ride without much to distract ones attention.. what you captured is serene, George.
be well, be happy
Pam
July 14, 2011 at 5:28 am |
miles and miles of nothing in sight but oil wells and wind mills, this is what it looks like from I 10 going through Tex, but i don’t think you were on that were you?
July 14, 2011 at 7:06 am |
These pictures how a Texas,just as I remember it from 40 years ago.Yikes! Has it been that long since I’ve been there?Time flies.Thanks for stirring up my memory bank.
July 14, 2011 at 8:50 am |
I grew up in west Texas — flat, treeless, blistering heat and horrific sandstorms! See why I love the northwest? Your captures are terrific as always, George, and you have captured the feel! So glad you and Betsy had such a great trip! Enjoy your weekend!
Sylvia
July 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm |
Gosh, the whole place looks so desolate and barren! But it is a heaven for birders! more birds migrate there than any other state, I believe. Did Betsy see any different birds?
July 14, 2011 at 1:01 pm |
It really is a beautiful area…and so different for our ‘every day’ scenery. I love the vast differences of our beautiful country too George!
July 14, 2011 at 3:54 pm |
I prefer to travel by car. You really get to see the countryside. Love your photos. We will be driving out to Denver in Sept to visit my daughter.
July 14, 2011 at 4:45 pm |
I bet this trip was wonderful. I love seeing all the differences in our country, but admit to being more fond of the “green” part of the country over the “brown”. I get so bored with all the brown in Arizona, etc., but imagine they feel the same way about all our green.
July 14, 2011 at 5:03 pm |
Oh how wonderful this trip is and I’ve only seen this one post. I love looking out the car window and taking in all the changing scenery.
July 14, 2011 at 10:33 pm |
I’ve driven across Texas and also marveled at the big sky…truly big! It sure does look dry there. I guess that’s why they’ve been having those fires. Don’t you just love road trips…I certainly do! I’m enjoying your coverage of your trip.
July 15, 2011 at 2:21 am |
I am so glad that You presented these photos, because I did not have any idea how Texas or wide open spaces of Texas is looking like.
July 15, 2011 at 10:49 am |
I did not like Texas when I was there. I only drove across the top part but it was dusty and windy.
July 15, 2011 at 5:44 pm |
When you get into the Valley of Texas you will see a completely different landscape. Full of green rolling hills.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
July 17, 2011 at 2:06 pm |
I marvel at how flat it is!!
July 18, 2011 at 11:19 pm |
I used to think Indiana was really flat…when I first moved up here! It is hard to explain how homesick I was for the mountains…now I find beauty in both places and am sure I would probably get used to Texas and find beauty there, too.
July 19, 2011 at 2:31 pm |
Having grown up in OK I can remember driving through Tennessee and being amazed at all the green lush trees along the highways. Then going through the Carolinas and seeing the Oceans was spectacular as well! Isn’t it funny how we grow up seeing something all the time, thinking it must be the same everywhere LOL I will never forget going to Hawaii, on the big Island. All the volcanic ash everywhere…NOW THAT WAS REALLY DIFFERENT 😉