Anything around Midland?

[arlon]

Might have to spend a few days in Midland, just curious if there is any point in bringing a camera. I've heard there is nothing but stickers, dirt and brown grass over there. Surely there's something there.. (-:}

[rdking91]

there is the petroleum muesem, also stickers, dirt, brown grass....

[venchka]

Take pictures of stickers, dirt & brown grass. Make it art.

Edward Weston made a career out of dirt & veggies.

[Phototx]

I recently found mention of an old airbase near Midland/Odessa. See attached. Maybe someone on this site has been there.

Glen

NAME: Rattlesnake Bomber Base
COUNTY: Ward
ROADS: 4WD
GRID: 2
CLIMATE: Texas desert
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring COMMENTS: Rattlesnake Bomber Base was once home to the Enola Gay. The original base entryway still stands off I-20 but the base is a descent way off. Most of the hangers are still there and are the remains of several WWII bombers, though thanks to the bascisity of the dirt, they are rusted beyond salvagability. 4WD isn't actually nesicary once you're there but the majority of the driving involved is through West Texas desert which is overgrown with mesquite and tumbleweed so puntured tires are quite likely.
REMAINS: Several hangers, several B-29's
After WW2 the Rattlesnake Bomber Base, which was at Pyote, Texas, was used as a place to "pickle" and store bombers. The dry climate was better for temporarily preserving them while it was decided what to do with them. I remember passing by as a young child and seeing hundreds, probably thousands, of B-17 and B-29 bombers, in long rows that seemed to stretch forever. It was a sight that I have never forgotten; it really put forth to me America's power and might, and at the same time was sad, like a graveyard of valiant warriors. Dr. Larry Thomson

[LEO III]

Haven't lived there for over 20 years, so I don't really know what's new. CAF HQ is there, lots of churches, wide streets, cinder block fences, no hills. Odessa is 20 miles west, and it seemed like we could head west on US 80 and lash the steering wheel and get to Odessa without changing lanes.

Of course, my question would be why would you go anywhere new and exciting (?) and different and not take your camera, but then that's just me. Take it with you, if for no reason than to photograph how flat it is out there. Kinda like the Katy Prairie, but much larger and no trees to get in the way. Well, there are trees in town that people have planted, but outside of town, not so much. You know how you have to be on a freeway overpass to see the Houston skyline. Again, not so much approaching Midland. You can see them forever.

Back when we were moving there, my ex hated to fly. When we flew up there from San Antonio on our house hunting trip, she was her typical nervous self and sitting in an aisle seat, until we were on the final approach into MAF, and she caught a glimpse out the window of the flat terrain. She got up and moved to a window seat in the row ahead of us and just stared out the window. First time she had ever been brave enough to look out of any airplane window.

Saw a mirage there one clear, sunny January morning. Only time I ever saw one, other than a road mirage. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me.

[jcarroll]

The Rattlesnake Bomber Base is a good bit west of Odessa, even past Monahans. Meteor Crater is west of Odessa. The Monahans Sandhills. Tall buildings in downtown Midland. There should be some awesome West Texas sunsets this time of year in the chilly desert air. I would probably take the camera. I can't imagine not taking it actually. Just my opinion.

[chihuahuaphil]

Rattlesnake Bomber Base is no longer open to the public. There is only a small remnant of one hanger left, and there haven't been any aircraft out there since maybe the early 70's. There is a small museum across the highway, but check their hours before you make the drive. The CAF museum at Midland Int'l Airport is a much better bet for aviation fans with limited time.

The GW Bush childhood home has been made into a museum. The aforementioned Petroleum Museum also hosts the Chaparral race car gallery. UTPB in Odessa has a Stonehenge replica. On the west side of FM1788 just south of IH20 you might spot some pronghorn, but you'd need some mighty long glass.

The Museum of the Southwest has some nice outdoor bronzes and they allow pics in the permanent collection galleries. Their planetarium has just been remodeled - not much good for pics, but killer high def sky shows. Beats a movie any day in my book.

[venchka]

If you are driving from Houston to Midland, you could spend a week each way, different routes, fill up a bushel of cards.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by venchka

If you are driving from Houston to Midland, you could spend a week each way, different routes, fill up a bushel of cards.

++1
.. the trip is the best part of the trip.....Jim Morrison

[CtrlAltDel]

Just saw this and wanted to show everyone that Midland has a bit more then just tumbleweeds

Commerorative Air Force - -= COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE =-

Come visit!!!!

[yaterag]

There is also the meteor crater to the west of Odessa if you want to drive over there. The pics won't be that great there but it is kind of cool to look at. You could also drive a little further west and go to the Monahan's Sand Hills.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

No mention of the reproduction of the globe theatre? Full scale and in use!

Can also do some "oil" heritage shooting since some of the first big wells in west Texas are in the area and still pumping. A couple famous ones are viewable with plaques on them (texas historical markers) so your not trespassing to see them.

[arlon]

Our office is supposed to open out there in early July. Got a house already so it won't be too much longer before I get to check out the sights for myself..

Thanks for posting the pics Wayne, some inspiration for sure. I'll miss Houston area but I'm sure I'll find some new venues out that direction.

[jeffro20]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

Just saw this and wanted to show everyone that Midland has a bit more then just tumbleweeds

Commerorative Air Force - -= COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE =-

Come visit!!!!

Ya gotta love Texans....Texas pride is around every bend.

Love your windmill shot...nice timing.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by arlon

Our office is supposed to open out there in early July. Got a house already so it won't be too much longer before I get to check out the sights for myself..

Thanks for posting the pics Wayne, some inspiration for sure. I'll miss Houston area but I'm sure I'll find some new venues out that direction.

You're going to be a lot closer to Big Bend, Carlsbad Caverns, Bosque del Apache, The Davis Mountains, Fort Davis, and the McDonald Observatory