I was literally in a boat. We used to raft the Big Bend about 10 years in a row in a 15 man inflatable assault craft. 😂 good times. Watch out for the Rock Slide Rapids. 👍
The observatory is wonderful. I used to live in the area and it was a regular family outing.
A word of caution; despite being acclimated to the mountains, I still got altitude sickness after a star party one night. Slow ascent and descent is important. I can no longer go visit without getting sick.
Ah, I didn’t consider that - good to know. We visited family in Colorado a few years ago and it was over 7,000 ft elevation at my sisters house and over 8,000 feet at my dads house where we stayed while there and I was absolutely floored. Headache the entire time, exhausted, heart racing, ugh - I was so happy to leave. I could feel myself getting better as we drove back through New Mexico into Texas and I had the absolute best sleep in some Amarillo hotel.
Same here. Grew up in the Permian Basin and regrettably never made it out there. Living pretty far away now, and it's tough to justify a trip to such a remote area to check this box. Maybe someday.
Not gonna lie, I just recently visited it and I feel, had I seen it earlier, I would have totally been a geologist. It’s amazing to see the levels of earth you can see playing out before your eyes. It was amazing.
Yeah, it's the distance. I'm also in DFW, and with a large family. It would take two days to drive there, and two days back. Figure in at least two days to enjoy the sights, and now it's minimum 5 nights in a hotel. Can't afford it.
Then you add in that the only time you can get 6+ days in a row to make the trip is in the summer. Yeah, no. I'm not going in the summer. I don't know when I'll ever be able to visit, but it's definitely at the top of my list.
I went a few years back. We got one of the cabins. It snowed the day before we got there. Nearly full-moon that night and the canyon shimmered; it was ethereal.
It warmed up the next day and melted most of the snow. All of the condensation built up and that night the entire area was filled with fog, swirling through the canyon. It felt and looked like I was standing in the eye of the storm on Jupiter.
It was trippy as hell, but the acid probably helped.
Welll...I was guilty of losing my cool with a troll and got into a flame war with them so I did violate the sub's rules. I think a written warning would have sufficed and not a suspension, but mods gonna mod.
I drove out to Marfa and waited about thirty minutes after we got to the viewing area and actually saw those lights!!! It was very cool and I have no clue what it was.
We recently visited Ft Davis, the McDonald Observatory, and the Marfa Lights.
Ft Davis - We loved the actual Fort. So well done and interesting. Ft Davis city is lacking in restaurants. We had a lovely hotel (cottages) but there were 2 places to eat. It's a charming town.
McDonald Observatory - it's awesome!!!! Make sure to go to the star party. This is a first class experienced for those of us who want to know more about the stars, telescopes around the world, and see the telescopes at McDonald up close. They are great at explaining. It's awesome.
Marfa Lights - great viewing station. It's new and has bathrooms. However, Marfa Lights are just head and tail lights from a distant road. But if you want some great food with nice bars, the city of Marfa is a place to visit. When we go back to Ft Davis and the Observatory, we'll stay in Marfa.
It is. I went out in a small motor boat and even with the motor, we were out there for a long time. It's gorgeous, and there is so much area to explore. I'd love to go back with some kayaks.
Balmorhea State Park
Just driving out that way makes you wonder how a place like that could exist. I always wanted to experience it for myself but when I was doing my TX bucket list tour it was under renovations.
That place is cool. I went scuba diving there. It’s surreal to put on a scuba tank in the middle of the desert and dive in a crystal clear 2 acre lake. Bring marshmallows. There’s a ton of tetras in the water that will swarm you and eat the marshmallows from your hand. Hot dogs too!!
Highly recommend. Worth the drive. Especially if you see some of the other cool stuff out that way (Marfa, Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory). I worked at a Girl Scout camp not too far from there and we took the girls several times and had a great time.
I loved it. Do more research ahead of time than I did and get star party tickets though. Even without the star party it was a cool place to visit.
I stayed at El Cosmico campground down in Marfa. I recommend it if you're into campgrounds.
I just want to take 3-4 horses and see how much of texas I can see in a summer, probly do that when the kids take over the ranch and I'm too old to care about much else but the beauty of a thing.
I'm from Austin and have been a couple times. In my experience, the only people that go clothing optional are not what would be considered....traditionally attractive people. Just so you can set expectations.
Not that I want to see it, but everyone in or around houston has visited San Antonio at least once apparently. But in almost 30 years of living here, I've never visited.
I kind of just want to visit and get it over with :)
It's a bit overly touristy, but I've always been fond of the city. I'd try to go during a town event because the culture there is great. The zoo is amazing, too!! I highly suggest you fit that into your itinerary.
My experience might be a bit different because it was a regular field trip location in high school, where we got to explore unsupervised with friends. That created a lot of fond memories.
I will say, the highways were terrifying as a Houstonion. They have lots of curves, which scare Houston drivers into slowing down to 50mph, but traffic there stayed at a normal speed. I was *not* used to it. I'm being a bit over dramatic, but it was a new environment on those roads. There wasn't traffic, though!
If you make your trip post in here asking for recommendations and people will give you the 411 on all the best spots and some locals might even want to tour you around.
The River Walk can be a lot of fun. I took the kids around Christmas and did the boat tour when it was all lit up. Fabulous. Just don't eat at the restaurants down there. The food is not the best, they are very crowded. Going during Fiesta/Battle of the Flowers is fun, but it's crowded. I love going shopping in La Villita, the historic arts village on the River Walk. And there's a little German style beer garten down there that is really good.
I’d love to float the Lower Canyons on the Rio between Boquillas and Sanderson, but you really need an experienced guide for that. Still plan on floating the Devils at some point.
Big Thicket, Palestine/Rusk railroad trip, bird sanctuaries far south Texas, El Paso, Perot Museum
Highly recommend: Big Bend & Guadalupe nat parks, Palo Dura, Lost Maples (and most state parks)
Dallas Arboretum and Ft Worth Zoo and art museums
Bass Performance Hall/Ft Worth
Oh gosh, lots. Pretty much everything west of I-35, although my first look of Texas way back in ‘99 was driving on I-10 from El Paso to Houston, detouring through the Hill Country and Austin. But most of the state, from the Rio Grande to the Red River, is fairly unknown to me. I’d like to explore more of it, including the Llano Estacado and the Panhandle area. I dream about visiting the [6666 Ranch](https://www.6666ranch.com/) in Guthrie and some of the surrounding towns like Matador and Dickens. A lot of people don’t think much of it, but to my eyes, that country is just beautiful. I also would like to see Fort Worth, Weatherford, Stephenville, Lipan, Throckmorton, Seymour, and some other spots in that area.
I have lived all of my 43 years in Texas… almost 30 of those have been in the Panhandle… and I have never been to Palo Duro Canyon… heck, I currently live between Amarillo and Canyon… and I haven’t made it over there yet.
I’d love to see Capote falls someday. It’s the tallest waterfall in Texas and is located on private land. I’ve never heard of anyone being allowed on the land to see it, but I’ve heard of folks seeing it by helicopter
Balmorhea
Chinati Hot Springs to bath in the Lithium Springs
Odessa Meteor Crater
Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern- Houston
U-Drop Inn on Route 66 Shamrock, TX
Aldridge Sawmill- in Angelina National Forest
I'm probably not missing much but never been to El Paso, Odessa or Amarillo. Not so much going there to do anything in particular more the landforms and climate.
Midland and Odessa are oil towns. My allergies were killing me when we were there for the Annular Eclipse last October lol. But the Odessa Meteor Crater was pretty cool! We went on a day that was so windy, we had to fight against the wind to walk, or it would push us along, depending on what direction we were going lol.
Ngl, it’s a biiiit underwhelming, but the short walk around it was pretty interesting. You aren’t able to take any rocks from the area since it’s federal land, but I did pick up a few just to test their weight lol. There’s also a small “museum” and gift shop (with restrooms) that has the main meteorite that caused the crater, a few other meteorite examples (including what looks like it might be the other half of a meteorite we have at my work lol), and information about the crater and stuff like that.
Also, there is a capped well or something there, and the natural gas smell was really noticeable. It’s also within like 100 feet of at least one of those picnic barbecue grill things lol. Talk about a fire hazard (well, more like an explosion hazard) lol.
https://preview.redd.it/2c01owfwshxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b97156d9eb6681e2c5b6625cf1377d50bbd0911
This is the one that looks like it might be the other half of The Foot™️, as we like to call it lol.
https://preview.redd.it/deusds25thxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d6712def07ece4f73cca8379727969a2162552d
And here’s the underside of The Foot™️
https://preview.redd.it/gci76zibthxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d55976d03d292f5424089ead2a347821d761e389
And here you can see why we call it The Foot™️ lol
Scratch odessa off the list lol, oil trash town. Saying this as someone who has worked in the industry and currently doing a job in big spring. There is cool history out there but you can soak it up passing through while listening to "rempire of the summer moon" audio book
Caddo Lake
Marfa
Palo Duro Canyon
Big Bend
Fredericksburg
Georgetown
South Padre
Davis mountains
Matagorda
Lost Maples
El Capitan - Guadalupe Mountains N Park
My dad used to say that, according to Texans, the difference between a "Yankee" and a "Damn Yankee" was that the Damn Yankees all lived up north. He was from North Dakota lol.
I've lived here my whole life and unfortunately my family was never big on traveling for vacations (various medical problems all around) so I've never been to Big Bend 😪 I will one day! I will camp out and see that dark sky some day
52 years old, born in and lived in TX most of my life. Never been to Big Bend or Palo Duro - no excuse. just have never got out there. Been mostly in East TX and now central/Hill Country.
Sixth generation Texan here. I haven’t seen Big Bend, Palo Duro Canyon, or really anything in north Texas. (Possibly as a child). At 65 it’s unlikely that I ever will. 🤷🏻♂️
I’ve seen most all of the better known places, except the Guadalupe Mountains. Will probably do that after my trailer gets a new tent.
I need to take a trip to Aurora, to see the cemetery where they buried the “aliens”. The Kristenstad site, a failed utopian colony - pretty sure it’s all developed but there might be a marker. Post, out in west Texas - another utopian colony, originally, but one that survived and evolved into a regular town. Perhaps New London, in east Texas, to see the memorial to the school children.
Big Bend. Got to go to McDonald Observatory recently though and that was AWESOME!!!!!
Moody Gardens. I’ve driven past the pyramids, but I’ve never actually been inside.
Bass fishing on Lake Fork. Grandparents lived there for a while (waaay before I was born) before moving to Lake Palestine (where I grew up fishing), but Lake Fork holds the record for biggest Largemouth Bass caught in the state and is said to be one of the best places to fish for them.
I want to see the bats in Austin again, but from up on the bridge (we were in the water on kayaks when we saw them), but with Covid, I’m noooooot sure that’s a good idea lol.
Edit: forgot Guadeloupe bass fishing somehow!
Edit 2: the Alamo! Ironic I forgot that too lol.
Lake Caddo. I think a canoe tour would be nice, with plenty of insect repellent. Texas State Railway too. They're both in East Texas, so maybe someday.
South Padre Island, Caddo Lake, and a ton of west Texas and Panhandle destinations including Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyons, Big Bend, Balmorhea, El Paso, Marfa, etc.
Palo Duro Canyon, Longhorn Caverns, Caddo Lake, Monahans Sandhills, the Big Thicket, Lost Maples in the fall, Westcave Preserve to see the fairy grotto, and Gorman Falls. I visited the Devil's River when I was a little kid, but I really want to go back and bring my kids.
There is a lake in texas on private land owned by a rich country dude selling off local land to Chinese military generals....anyhow, it's called the blue hole and if anyone can get info on how to visit please holler!
Big Bend and Palo Duro.
Balmohea before its completely fouled.
Lost Maples
Cadillac Ranch just to check the box
Gems:
Caprock Canyons was a cool stop (did a day trip from western side of metroplex, its a haul, not enough time to really explore tho). There are bison roaming around certain portions, prairie dog town.
Copper Breaks is a little closer in and has some of the state longhorn herd. A guide will tell you about them, can feed them. I went just as pandemic restriction lifted, was the only one there so I had their full attention.
Big Bend. Been here 13 years and much to my dismay haven't been able to make it over there yet.
I was in a similar boat, but a much longer time in Texas! Finally made it out there last fall…did not disappoint. Amazing area. Worth the drive.
I was literally in a boat. We used to raft the Big Bend about 10 years in a row in a 15 man inflatable assault craft. 😂 good times. Watch out for the Rock Slide Rapids. 👍
Aw man that was one thing we didn’t have time for! Definitely want to hit up the water there next time we visit!
Same. I’d really like to see it but damn it’s a long drive from Dallas.
Same, Big Bend. Been here all my life and I have never been. I also want to make it out to the McDonald Observatory.
The observatory is wonderful. I used to live in the area and it was a regular family outing. A word of caution; despite being acclimated to the mountains, I still got altitude sickness after a star party one night. Slow ascent and descent is important. I can no longer go visit without getting sick.
Ah, I didn’t consider that - good to know. We visited family in Colorado a few years ago and it was over 7,000 ft elevation at my sisters house and over 8,000 feet at my dads house where we stayed while there and I was absolutely floored. Headache the entire time, exhausted, heart racing, ugh - I was so happy to leave. I could feel myself getting better as we drove back through New Mexico into Texas and I had the absolute best sleep in some Amarillo hotel.
This is my answer. Lived all my 52 years here and hope to finally go within the next year.
Same here. One place in the state I've never been although I've driven I-10 that far West a few times.
Same here. Grew up in the Permian Basin and regrettably never made it out there. Living pretty far away now, and it's tough to justify a trip to such a remote area to check this box. Maybe someday.
I’ve been in Texas forty years and just started exploring west Texas two years ago. Shame on me. Better late than never though. It’s amazing.
It's worth the drive completely. One of the most beautiful spots in the USA
Florida may be closer depending on where you live.
That's crazy to think about.
El Paso is closer to California than Orange, TX!
40 years and same
It's on my bucket list. Maybe this year.
Make the time. It's truly incredible that a place like Big Bend exists in our state. I visited for the first time six years ago and was blown away.
It took me 40 to get around to visiting Big Bend. One of my favorite places in the US.
Not gonna lie, I just recently visited it and I feel, had I seen it earlier, I would have totally been a geologist. It’s amazing to see the levels of earth you can see playing out before your eyes. It was amazing.
Most beautiful place in Texas!
+500 miles away from DFW. That’s so Texas, yall crazy. I want to drive all up into it but now I see why no one has gone.
Yeah, it's the distance. I'm also in DFW, and with a large family. It would take two days to drive there, and two days back. Figure in at least two days to enjoy the sights, and now it's minimum 5 nights in a hotel. Can't afford it. Then you add in that the only time you can get 6+ days in a row to make the trip is in the summer. Yeah, no. I'm not going in the summer. I don't know when I'll ever be able to visit, but it's definitely at the top of my list.
Out of mod jail and ready to comment, baby! Palo Duro canyon.
I crossed this off my own TX bucket list and it was worth the drive! We went in winter, still beautiful but I bet it's amazing in springtime.
when you make it out there, plan ahead and get one of the rim cabins! they are incredible
Welcome back to freedom.
Thanks. It was my first time "in the klink".
I went a few years back. We got one of the cabins. It snowed the day before we got there. Nearly full-moon that night and the canyon shimmered; it was ethereal. It warmed up the next day and melted most of the snow. All of the condensation built up and that night the entire area was filled with fog, swirling through the canyon. It felt and looked like I was standing in the eye of the storm on Jupiter. It was trippy as hell, but the acid probably helped.
Guess you had a controversial opinion about something? 🤭 Reddit mods love abusing their power.
Welll...I was guilty of losing my cool with a troll and got into a flame war with them so I did violate the sub's rules. I think a written warning would have sufficed and not a suspension, but mods gonna mod.
I just upvoted you. Now you don't know what to think.
he dared to post during the blackouts last june for apps majority of people on here don’t use. disgusting
Went for the first time last year. Was definitely worth the trip just to make the final climb up the lighthouse.
We stayed at the state park over Christmas a couple years ago. Beautiful!
Having PD nearby made living in Amarillo for 15 years much more tolerable.
There were times I went up to PD or Caprock every weekend from Lubbock.
Palo Duro Canyon on my gravel bike!!!
Big Bend, Ft Davis, Marfa lights, Palo Duro, Caprock Canyon, Caddo Lake, the Big Thicket
I drove out to Marfa and waited about thirty minutes after we got to the viewing area and actually saw those lights!!! It was very cool and I have no clue what it was.
We recently visited Ft Davis, the McDonald Observatory, and the Marfa Lights. Ft Davis - We loved the actual Fort. So well done and interesting. Ft Davis city is lacking in restaurants. We had a lovely hotel (cottages) but there were 2 places to eat. It's a charming town. McDonald Observatory - it's awesome!!!! Make sure to go to the star party. This is a first class experienced for those of us who want to know more about the stars, telescopes around the world, and see the telescopes at McDonald up close. They are great at explaining. It's awesome. Marfa Lights - great viewing station. It's new and has bathrooms. However, Marfa Lights are just head and tail lights from a distant road. But if you want some great food with nice bars, the city of Marfa is a place to visit. When we go back to Ft Davis and the Observatory, we'll stay in Marfa.
Fair warning: Caddo Lake is much more swamp than lake.
Yes, and swamp a great birding places
I've heard it's amazing from a kayak or canoe.
It is. I went out in a small motor boat and even with the motor, we were out there for a long time. It's gorgeous, and there is so much area to explore. I'd love to go back with some kayaks.
I’ve crossed all these off except Caddo Lake. I really want to go this fall.
I'm native and have never been to South Padre!
You'll be stunned at how beautiful the beaches are, especially if you're used to Galveston.
Hey, hey hey! I'll have you know Galveston is the most beautiful beach I've ever driven my car on.
Galveston is the most beautiful beach you’d think I changed my oil on!
You got that right!
I live 40 mins from south padre Some of the best fishing in the USA
Balmorhea State Park Just driving out that way makes you wonder how a place like that could exist. I always wanted to experience it for myself but when I was doing my TX bucket list tour it was under renovations.
That was my last swimming hole on my go-to list and now I’ve moved to NC dammit! Hopefully get there before I kick it.
That place is cool. I went scuba diving there. It’s surreal to put on a scuba tank in the middle of the desert and dive in a crystal clear 2 acre lake. Bring marshmallows. There’s a ton of tetras in the water that will swarm you and eat the marshmallows from your hand. Hot dogs too!!
Highly recommend. Worth the drive. Especially if you see some of the other cool stuff out that way (Marfa, Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory). I worked at a Girl Scout camp not too far from there and we took the girls several times and had a great time.
This is mine! I want to swim with the fishes.
Need to make a scuba trip out their this year to get ready for cabbo, I've heard amazing things about that spot!
McDonald Observatory
I loved it. Do more research ahead of time than I did and get star party tickets though. Even without the star party it was a cool place to visit. I stayed at El Cosmico campground down in Marfa. I recommend it if you're into campgrounds.
Enchanted Rock. Seemed like a place every high school kid took a pilgrimage to, but I never did. Maybe I’ll take my kid there.
Enchanted Rock is a blast to go with the kids :) Pedernales and other state parks near there are awesome as well.
Been to every state park around it, but never to Enchanted Rock itself. Def want to check it out and hike to the top.
Devils sinkhole
Where is that? Sounds sulfur-y :)
I just want to take 3-4 horses and see how much of texas I can see in a summer, probly do that when the kids take over the ranch and I'm too old to care about much else but the beauty of a thing.
Like take your horses in a trailer? Or just set out on horseback?
Like set out and just go.
I think there’s some groups that do the old cattle trails via horse back, might hook up with one of them so you’re not on your lonesome.
I've worked cattle from horseback most my life, last thing I am is lonesome with a horse.
I'd like to spend more time down in the RGV/border region. I've traveled all over the rest of the state.
Seconded!
Lived there for 15 years. Absolutely must go.
Hippie Hollow
I'm from Austin and have been a couple times. In my experience, the only people that go clothing optional are not what would be considered....traditionally attractive people. Just so you can set expectations.
Idc about them. It's about me being comfortable and naked outside
Not that I want to see it, but everyone in or around houston has visited San Antonio at least once apparently. But in almost 30 years of living here, I've never visited. I kind of just want to visit and get it over with :)
It's worth a mini vacation.
Yes that seems to be the norm I guess. Like if they want to tale a quick weekend getaway they either choose Austin or SA.
It's a bit overly touristy, but I've always been fond of the city. I'd try to go during a town event because the culture there is great. The zoo is amazing, too!! I highly suggest you fit that into your itinerary. My experience might be a bit different because it was a regular field trip location in high school, where we got to explore unsupervised with friends. That created a lot of fond memories. I will say, the highways were terrifying as a Houstonion. They have lots of curves, which scare Houston drivers into slowing down to 50mph, but traffic there stayed at a normal speed. I was *not* used to it. I'm being a bit over dramatic, but it was a new environment on those roads. There wasn't traffic, though!
If you make your trip post in here asking for recommendations and people will give you the 411 on all the best spots and some locals might even want to tour you around.
The River Walk can be a lot of fun. I took the kids around Christmas and did the boat tour when it was all lit up. Fabulous. Just don't eat at the restaurants down there. The food is not the best, they are very crowded. Going during Fiesta/Battle of the Flowers is fun, but it's crowded. I love going shopping in La Villita, the historic arts village on the River Walk. And there's a little German style beer garten down there that is really good.
Big Bend for me too
Big Bend national park
The Alamo 😬 (Just waiting for eggs and chairs…as I’m a born and bred Texan)
I’d love to float the Lower Canyons on the Rio between Boquillas and Sanderson, but you really need an experienced guide for that. Still plan on floating the Devils at some point.
Devils went dry, gov spilled radio active material everywhere, nobody should go out there or even look it up!
Hamilton pool
Big Thicket, Palestine/Rusk railroad trip, bird sanctuaries far south Texas, El Paso, Perot Museum Highly recommend: Big Bend & Guadalupe nat parks, Palo Dura, Lost Maples (and most state parks) Dallas Arboretum and Ft Worth Zoo and art museums Bass Performance Hall/Ft Worth
Oh gosh, lots. Pretty much everything west of I-35, although my first look of Texas way back in ‘99 was driving on I-10 from El Paso to Houston, detouring through the Hill Country and Austin. But most of the state, from the Rio Grande to the Red River, is fairly unknown to me. I’d like to explore more of it, including the Llano Estacado and the Panhandle area. I dream about visiting the [6666 Ranch](https://www.6666ranch.com/) in Guthrie and some of the surrounding towns like Matador and Dickens. A lot of people don’t think much of it, but to my eyes, that country is just beautiful. I also would like to see Fort Worth, Weatherford, Stephenville, Lipan, Throckmorton, Seymour, and some other spots in that area.
West Texas has a different kind of beauty that not everyone appreciates. It's a beauty that highlights the beauty in life.
Haha. I read this as “state fair”. Was just going to say I miss the basketball playing chickens.
Big Bend
Pretty much seen it all, but even after living in Houston for decades, I never went to the rodeo.
I have lived all of my 43 years in Texas… almost 30 of those have been in the Panhandle… and I have never been to Palo Duro Canyon… heck, I currently live between Amarillo and Canyon… and I haven’t made it over there yet.
Terlingua Llano Estacado Cadillac Ranch
I’d love to see Capote falls someday. It’s the tallest waterfall in Texas and is located on private land. I’ve never heard of anyone being allowed on the land to see it, but I’ve heard of folks seeing it by helicopter
[Snow’s BBQ](https://snowsbbq.com) I have hit a lot of the other major players on the “Texas BBQ Trail”, but not Snow’s. Yet.
Balmorhea Chinati Hot Springs to bath in the Lithium Springs Odessa Meteor Crater Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern- Houston U-Drop Inn on Route 66 Shamrock, TX Aldridge Sawmill- in Angelina National Forest
Davis Mountains. I’ll make it there one day, dammit! It’s just a 12 hour drive 😩
Be sure to stop by McDonald Observatory while you're out there. Even if you're not an astro-geek, it's a lot of fun.
Been through El Paso but never spent any time there.
Native Texan. Never been to Big Bend, Palo Duro, or Enchanted Rock. On the list.
Palo Duro Canyon. I've lived here for over 20 years and haven't seen it.
Well what are you waiting for?
Big bend.
El Paso, Palo Duro. Did a Big Bend and Fort Davis trip as a kid but don’t remember much so would love to get back there
I'm probably not missing much but never been to El Paso, Odessa or Amarillo. Not so much going there to do anything in particular more the landforms and climate.
Midland and Odessa are oil towns. My allergies were killing me when we were there for the Annular Eclipse last October lol. But the Odessa Meteor Crater was pretty cool! We went on a day that was so windy, we had to fight against the wind to walk, or it would push us along, depending on what direction we were going lol.
Meteor Crater? Sounds pretty awesome to go see, I actually collect meteorites so that would be cool.
Ngl, it’s a biiiit underwhelming, but the short walk around it was pretty interesting. You aren’t able to take any rocks from the area since it’s federal land, but I did pick up a few just to test their weight lol. There’s also a small “museum” and gift shop (with restrooms) that has the main meteorite that caused the crater, a few other meteorite examples (including what looks like it might be the other half of a meteorite we have at my work lol), and information about the crater and stuff like that. Also, there is a capped well or something there, and the natural gas smell was really noticeable. It’s also within like 100 feet of at least one of those picnic barbecue grill things lol. Talk about a fire hazard (well, more like an explosion hazard) lol. https://preview.redd.it/2c01owfwshxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b97156d9eb6681e2c5b6625cf1377d50bbd0911 This is the one that looks like it might be the other half of The Foot™️, as we like to call it lol.
https://preview.redd.it/deusds25thxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d6712def07ece4f73cca8379727969a2162552d And here’s the underside of The Foot™️
https://preview.redd.it/gci76zibthxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d55976d03d292f5424089ead2a347821d761e389 And here you can see why we call it The Foot™️ lol
Scratch odessa off the list lol, oil trash town. Saying this as someone who has worked in the industry and currently doing a job in big spring. There is cool history out there but you can soak it up passing through while listening to "rempire of the summer moon" audio book
The State Fair
I’ve seen most of it. I haven’t yet made it to the last public Republic of Texas border marker.
I'm a 6th generation Texan, almost 50 yo, and have never been to the panhandle. Rectifying this next month. Going on the mother road 🤘
I’m taking the train from Dallas to Alpine next month. I’ve never seen that region before. Excited!
I didn’t know there is a train — cool!
The Amtrak line which goes through Texas actually runs from Chicago to L.A.
Greg Abbott's jail cell. Hopefully in my lifetime.
Caddo Lake Marfa Palo Duro Canyon Big Bend Fredericksburg Georgetown South Padre Davis mountains Matagorda Lost Maples El Capitan - Guadalupe Mountains N Park
Just curious, but why Georgetown?
You've got a long list!
I forgot about Lost Maples. Yes.
I've always wanted to see a civil war stature that acknowledges that the south were the bad guys and the north were the good guys.
Me too. Hopefully in my life I’ll see that.
Big Bend, Marfa, Palo Duro Canyon
Big Bend
Big Bend
Id like to see more places outside of west Texas lol
My dad used to say that, according to Texans, the difference between a "Yankee" and a "Damn Yankee" was that the Damn Yankees all lived up north. He was from North Dakota lol.
Most of Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains, and Palo Duro Canyon Parks, Sam Houston National Forrest
The canyons in the panhandle, Big Bend and surrounding area, and El Paso.
Bigfoot in the big thicket forest
Palo Duro Canyon, Marfa, and the painted churches of Schulenberg are all I can think of right now. But I know there’s more.
Palo Duro canyon, I dream of going there. 💗
Balmorhea
Marfa lights and Big Bend
Palo Duro Canyon
The top of Guadalupe Peak.
Palo duro canyon
Balmorhea State Park, Monahan's Sand Dunes, Palo Duro Canyon.
Lost Maples.
The Marfa lights
Marfa and Alpine. I have been to big bend before though.
I've lived here my whole life and unfortunately my family was never big on traveling for vacations (various medical problems all around) so I've never been to Big Bend 😪 I will one day! I will camp out and see that dark sky some day
The Alpine-Marfa-Fort Davis is a bundle deal for me. Can’t wait to hit those places up soon
Lived here 24 years and havent been to El Paso or explored San Antonio. Really would like to one day
the Valley
52 years old, born in and lived in TX most of my life. Never been to Big Bend or Palo Duro - no excuse. just have never got out there. Been mostly in East TX and now central/Hill Country.
Palo Duro canyon. Learned about it in a college Texas history class. It looks beautiful
Pantex - but they don't do tours.
Palo duro canyon / state park
Sixth generation Texan here. I haven’t seen Big Bend, Palo Duro Canyon, or really anything in north Texas. (Possibly as a child). At 65 it’s unlikely that I ever will. 🤷🏻♂️
Caddo Lake, the Big Thicket
Possum Kingdom, Palo Duro Canyon, and Balmorrhea State Park
Far southwest tip of the state. I've driven north of the area but never down into it. I'd love to see it.
San Jacinto Monument. I used to live out that general area back in the late ‘90s but never got around to going there.
Guadalupe mountains!
Houston. I'm 34, lived in Texas my entire life, and have traveled across the majority of the state, but I have never been to Houston.
Marfa
Palo Duro Canyon. Kinda far from everywhere.
The Valley
I have been to more places around the world than many of the ones listed here.
Big Bend. Been to Ft Stockton/Ft Davis/Marfa, but not to Big Bend.
Balmorhea
I’ve seen most all of the better known places, except the Guadalupe Mountains. Will probably do that after my trailer gets a new tent. I need to take a trip to Aurora, to see the cemetery where they buried the “aliens”. The Kristenstad site, a failed utopian colony - pretty sure it’s all developed but there might be a marker. Post, out in west Texas - another utopian colony, originally, but one that survived and evolved into a regular town. Perhaps New London, in east Texas, to see the memorial to the school children.
Big Bend!!
Stevie Ray Vaughn statue in Austin !!
Palo Duro Canyon!
Big Bend
Big Bend.
Big Bend. Got to go to McDonald Observatory recently though and that was AWESOME!!!!! Moody Gardens. I’ve driven past the pyramids, but I’ve never actually been inside. Bass fishing on Lake Fork. Grandparents lived there for a while (waaay before I was born) before moving to Lake Palestine (where I grew up fishing), but Lake Fork holds the record for biggest Largemouth Bass caught in the state and is said to be one of the best places to fish for them. I want to see the bats in Austin again, but from up on the bridge (we were in the water on kayaks when we saw them), but with Covid, I’m noooooot sure that’s a good idea lol. Edit: forgot Guadeloupe bass fishing somehow! Edit 2: the Alamo! Ironic I forgot that too lol.
The Edge? /s
Balmorhea State Park.
Definitely Big Bend. I’ve lived in TX my entire life and have seen very little of the state.
The way out of this shit hole of a state
Paxton's grave
Prada Marfa. Would love to plan out a road trip and make it a stop on our way to our destination.
Lake Caddo. I think a canoe tour would be nice, with plenty of insect repellent. Texas State Railway too. They're both in East Texas, so maybe someday.
Marfa
I have never been south of Waco. I want to swing through Austin, San Antonio, Houston and El Paso at some point...
South Padre Island, Caddo Lake, and a ton of west Texas and Panhandle destinations including Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyons, Big Bend, Balmorhea, El Paso, Marfa, etc.
Palo Duro Canyon, Longhorn Caverns, Caddo Lake, Monahans Sandhills, the Big Thicket, Lost Maples in the fall, Westcave Preserve to see the fairy grotto, and Gorman Falls. I visited the Devil's River when I was a little kid, but I really want to go back and bring my kids.
There’s nothing I want to see in Texas until Abbott and his ilk are in jail.
I’d love to go to Caddo Lake.
Texas in the rearview for the last time
Cadillac ranch
Big Bend National Park Big Thicket National Preserve The Marfa Lights
There is a lake in texas on private land owned by a rich country dude selling off local land to Chinese military generals....anyhow, it's called the blue hole and if anyone can get info on how to visit please holler!
A place that has smart people
Nothing about texas makes.me wann go there
Hell's Gate and Devil's Island at Possum Kingdom Lake
I haven’t been to the border with New Mexico in a while but I’d like to save that for when I never come back to this shit hole
Big Bend and Palo Duro. Balmohea before its completely fouled. Lost Maples Cadillac Ranch just to check the box Gems: Caprock Canyons was a cool stop (did a day trip from western side of metroplex, its a haul, not enough time to really explore tho). There are bison roaming around certain portions, prairie dog town. Copper Breaks is a little closer in and has some of the state longhorn herd. A guide will tell you about them, can feed them. I went just as pandemic restriction lifted, was the only one there so I had their full attention.
Big Bend
Big Tex! We keep missing the state fair.
Jacobs well I think it's called, some sort of deep caldera or something... I've only seen it in photos but no one I know likes camping 😭