Texas Turkey Trot 2017 Day 1

Day 1 - Sunday, November 19, 2017 - Drive to Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge; Photograph the Natural Environment; Travel to Lubbock, TX; Visit Buddy Holly Museum

We are off on our annual Thanksgiving Road Trip to Austin, Texas. Getting ready in the dark of night and convincing Buddha to get into his little cat carrier are always challenges.

Vic took the first shift driving from Monument Hill through Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and southern Colorado. We cut the northwestern corner off of New Mexico by driving on Highway 87 from Raton, NM to Texline, TX.

At Dalhart, TX Gennie drove and Vic had a chance to rest a bit. We travelled south on US Highway 385, US Route 60, and then Texas Highway 214 and then further to the small town of Muleshoe, TX to the Wildlife Refuge.

Even though the website said the Visitor’s Center was supposed to be open, it was locked and dark. We walked on several of the hiking paths to the dry lakes where the sand hill cranes were supposed to winter, but we saw not a one!

The Wildlife Refuge is huge, over 6,440 acres of high grassland and marsh and lake habitat. The posters along the paths described the mule deer, prairie dogs, quail, and golden eagles. However, we only saw a few small songbirds darting and skimming over the prairie grass.

Because of the recent droughts and the over use by ranching and agriculture, the ground water table had dropped and the lakes were now almost dry and the marshes were non existent. We did see a few Texas Longhorn cattle grazing but we were disappointed not to see any migratory wildlife.

As many times as we have driven through Lubbock, Texas, we have never stopped at the Buddy Holly Center. We had some time today and enjoyed the museum and tribute to this young rock and roll star who died tragically in 1959 in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa.

Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas in 1936 and the memorabilia focuses on his youth in Lubbock and then his brief 18-month musical career. Even though there were no photos allowed inside the galleries, we were able to take a few photos outdoors in the gardens before we went in.

Walking through the self guided exhibits, one can see his famous guitars, photos of his time as the lead singer of The Crickets, and learn more about his influence on the many up and coming musical stars. The gift shop was doing a prosperous business, as many people appreciate Buddy Holly and how he influenced the recording industry.

We checked into our hotel after 3:30 and were able to relax and look at our photos and write a short summary of the day. As this is a family visit, we will share only a few of the highlights of the road trip but not bore you with the To Do List we will work on while we are visiting our son.

Accommodations: BEST WESTERN

Have a great vacation and turkey day!!!!!

Read on Muleshoe Web about the sandhills that winterize there. Wonder where they are this year? Enjoyed your abouts.

Have a special Thxg. with your son and wife in Texas! We will be thinking of you (as the snow flies) the a warmthview of TX. Joan and Ed are thereview now too! ...having our Thurday-Sunday up at Grand Lake in the cozy condo. Then leaving for Thailand Dec. 13!

I see you found Muleshoe, Texas. Did you find Dimebox also? There is a town called Democrat, Texas the has a cemetery for Democrats. LOL Y'all have fun. Have fun for Thanksgiving!!

We are headed to San Antonio for Christmas to visit my sister! Have a wonderful time in Austin - my nephew lives there!

We have made that trip many times but never stopped to see the Buddy Holly museum. Enjoy your trip!

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