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Things to Do

This category contains 11 posts

West Texas Fair & Rodeo {video}

Just a quick peek into a tradition at the annual West Texas Fair & Rodeo: the local university, Hardin-Simmons’ Six White Horses opening routine. This clip gives you a taste of the big shindig, which happens in September every year.

Featured Blog – The Daytripper

Chet Garner, the star of this TV show, criss-crosses Texas finding and trying out fun things to do in each town or city. He’s been to Abilene a few times. The show gives insider info about places to visit, food to try and people to see. Full disclosure: I’ve not actually watched the show, I’ve … Continue reading

Music in Abilene

I attended part of a concert at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo which consisted of cumbia (Mexican) music. Here is a clip of the toe-tappin’ type of accordian beat which caused people to, yes in fact, get up and dance. What I didn’t know is that when you dance to this kind of music … Continue reading

Camp Barkeley Dog Park

I talked with Lydia Long by phone, to ask about the history and establishment of the Abilene dog park. I had heard that she and some others had made the park happen through grassroots efforts. Camp Barkeley, as it is called, is located out adjacent to the zoo and Nelson Park. Also nearby are the … Continue reading

Zoo [Video]

Enjoy a short music video of animals, reptiles and birds at the Abilene Zoo! It gives you a good taste of the place.

Lake Kirby Park

Across from Abilene Regional hospital and the new location for the Sam’s Club warehouse, the expanse of Lake Kirby is visible from some of the upper-floor rooms of the hospital. People like to fish here and there are some nice birds to observe. They like the water, apparently. Who doesn’t? The birds also have a fine … Continue reading

Beating the Heat – My Top 5 Abilene Summer Activities

We moved here in the summer of 2010 and have been experiencing a drought ever since. That’s serious heat, people. Growing up in Colorado I thought any time the temp was over 100 degrees it was a big deal. Here, it’s usual to have it in the 100’s, and that’s hot. So first off….   … Continue reading

C.A.L.F. – Children’s Art & Literacy Festival

Visiting the first annual Children’s Art & Literary Festival, a friend and I began at the “nickel” (National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature) to view an exhibit of original rough sketches, preliminary crayon drawings, and final pen-and-ink line art for the book The Lorax, by Theodor (“Ted”) Seuss Geisel a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. The accompanying brochure … Continue reading

The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature

In my opinion “the nickel,” the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (N.C.C.I.L.) on S. 1st & Cedar downtown is Abilene’s best museum. I just love it. I like the layout and look of it, and their exhibits are great. You might say, “Well, I don’t have kids, and it’s for kids, right?” But you … Continue reading

Abilene’s 12th Armored Division Museum

This is a World War II museum, and a surprisingly good one. Its building looks like nothing much from the outside and is easy to drive right by, but is worth going in – and plan for some time to investigate. I’d say about an hour and a half to get a good look. The … Continue reading