photo ops between Ft. Worth and Abilene ?

[CaptainTom]

I am considering going out to Abilene on Monday for their PPA meeting.
I've not been farther west on I-20 than Weatherford

What is there that I should hit on my way out ?

[mattman]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

What is there that I should hit on my way out ?

A jack-o-lope?

[rockpics]

I20 from Fort Worth to Abilene can be a mind-numbing stretch of highway, but there are one or two potential stops. The Clark Gardens at Mineral Wells comes to mind, but they may not be too impressive in winter. There is also the historic ghost town of Thurber, where the Smokestack Restraurant is located. The remnants of the coal mining company town include the church, a house and a smokestack.

[HeatherLou]

Tom, there is not much going that direction! 377 is more fun, but about 1 1/2 out of your way LOL!

[David_3]

Dyess AFB has a historic aircraft display.

http://www.mybaseguide.com/air-force...ecreation.aspx

[Dawn U]

I was hoping there would be some good suggestions here. I'll be making that drive on Tuesday, but headed the other way on my way to Houston.

[Cornbread]

I've made the trip a million times. My suggestion is to stop in Thurber. Other than that, I really don't know of any great shooting locales. If you sidetrack off the interstate, there are always some old barns, cactus and mesquite trees.

Edit: From Abilene to Houston, you can take Hwy 36 through Temple. There is lots of neat stuff on that route.

[David_3]

You could stop in Eastland, the "City of Museums."

[texasdragonfly]

Some of my best shots have been taken in Eastland..mostly during storm season. Thurber is a good stop,especially for the old church. If you like being able to take shots where you can see for forever,Ranger Hill will give that to you. If you have time to get off the beaten path,then areas Eastland,Clyde and then the drive to Buffalo Gap can be breathtaking.

[CallMeAl]

If you've got the time while in Abilene, there are a lot of interesting things to shoot in that area. In Abilene, you have the historic downtown area like the Paramount Theater and Grace Museum. Buffalo Gap is great and if you go a little further west, the drive between Sweetwater and Brownwood will get up up close and personal with all of those giant windmills. Could make for some very interesting photos.

[Imagebuffet]

A few years ago, I drove to Abilene from Dallas, just to see what it would be like to make the drive. I visited the lake in Abilene and the ruins of some old settlement just outside of town. On my way back, my left rear tire went flat with a leak. My spare was also flat and had a leak. I pumped them up and rode them as far as I could, but the last tire finally fell apart at Thurber. I spent the night in Thurber. Early the next morning, I hitched a ride with the garbage truck driver to a truck stop, where I got someone to come out and repair my tire.

Thurber has the brick-making plant and smokestack and a few restaurants. Across the Interstate from the smokestack is a small military museum (my truck came to rest in a patch of mud near the front of that museum).

I have photos of my trip. I'll see if I can dig out some.

[Cornbread]

The lake you're referring to is Lake Fort Phantom. Fort Phantom still has some structures standing. That could be an interesting spot.

The only problem I have with the area is the lack of color. It is all brown, red or dead.

[Imagebuffet]

I have to leave for work soon, so I only have time to post a few photos.

Thurber, looking North from the Interstate



Lake Fort Phantom Hill



Fort Phantom Hill (private property - no metal detectors allowed)

[johnastovall]

The Ghost Town of Thurber and if you have time stop at W.K Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas.

Look for the Graystone Castle Hunting Club near Mingus. The building can be a nice shot at sunset with a long telephoto.

A must see and shoot in Abilene is the sculpture "Jacobs Ladder" on the campus of Abilene Christian University. A world class work of art in Abilene.

[BEphoto]

another suggestion for thurber. its a cool little spot.