The drive from Houston, Texas was uninteresting until I found myself north of Austin and Leander, Texas. After that it was mostly farming land with some interesting looking small towns. The one that caught my eye was Santa Ana, Texas. Once you leave the Austin area you need to make sure you have a full tank of gas ’cause there’s nothing along those roads.

At some point I came across an area with hundreds wind generators for miles and miles, as far as the eye could see. It felt almost out of body (alien like), or just plain out of place. Here in Texas, oil, cowboys, horses, cattle drives, wind generators (?), it just felt strange, but they’re there, in their hugeness and noisiness.

I really enjoyed camping at Abilene State Park. The ranger was pleasant and helpful. Once I found my site, I sat and watched several campers roll in with their families for the weekend. It was quite humorous to watch one camper try to back her camper in at least 10 times (hey, she’s good, I can’t do that … yet) or the older gentleman who forgot to unhook his nice new Jeep from his trailer and watching the trailer grind and slide forward. Face plant! I walked several of the trails which are on my level (easy), comfortable and pleasant. There were no bugs (mosquitos) until just at dusk, but manageable.

I took a side trip to Abilene and was somewhat disappointed. I think that I may have become dulled from having watched too many John Wayne movies or Gunsmoke, I don’t know. It just wasn’t what I expected. I wanted to see cowboys pushing herds of longhorn cattle down a dusty street. I did go through a little town that caught my interest. Buffalo Gap, Texas. Check it out and the small museum.

Next stop, Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Canyon, Texas.