Texas Journals

Buffalo Gap Texas is Real

Best of IgoUgo

An April 2006 trip to Texas by samepenny

The historic village is well cared for Photo - Buffalo Gap Historic Village,

Quote: Out west, way out west is a tiny town that time forgot. Buffalo Gap is hidden in the hills south of Abilene.

19 Photos

Buffalo Gap Texas is Real

Overview

the buffalo thing Photo - Abilene, Texas

Quote:

Life is a little on the bleak side in west Texas unless you make something special of it. The fun is in the details. Get off the main highway and take a wander through the small towns and ask "why," as in "why is there a huge smoke stack in Thurber but no factory?" Where are the people? Where can we eat? You will soon realize why the speed limit has been raised on I-20 and I-10 to the highest in the U.S. on some parts. There's not much there! Don't just drive by at high speed. Stop to meet the people, try to food and see the buffalo (real and otherwise). There more to west Texas than coyotes and cattle.Quick Tips: Be wary of driving at night on the highway as all sorts of pred...Read More

Where are the people? Where can we eat? You will soon realize why the speed limit has been raised on I-20 and I-10 to the highest in the U.S. on some parts. There's not much there! Don't just drive by at high speed. Stop to meet the people, try to food and see the buffalo (real and otherwise). There more to west Texas than coyotes and cattle.

Quick Tips:

Be wary of driving at night on the highway as all sorts of predators are likely to cross the road from the types that are small and won't hurt you (skunks) to the big ones that will put a big dent in your car—wild boars! When a road doesn't curve for a few hundred miles, it's very easy to fall asleep at the wheel.

When traveling during the heat of the summer seasons, be sure to carry water and other emergency supplies with you. It can be a long, long way between towns. We also carry a large umbrella even though the chance of rain is usually nil. One person can hold the umbrella to make some shade while the other one changes a flat tire. Most small towns have Dairy Queen restaurants which are decent places to eat and to cool off. Be sure to take along iced drinks "for the road." Be careful of your pets. Do not leave them in a locked car when you stop for a while. They can die a miserable death in a few minutes. Highway rest areas have exercise areas for pets as well as places to water cattle and horses. Rest areas are usually not more than one hour apart and include vending machines, toilets, drinking water and emergency telephones. Usually, however, very little shade and the grassy areas may have fire ants. Be careful!

It is difficult to shop in the smaller towns. Good shopping is hard to come by west of Fort Worth until you are 200 miles down the road in Abilene. Figure the same for quality restaurant food. Sorry about that. You have to plan your route. The Texas highway department and tourist commission will be thrilled to send you books and maps for free. www.traveltex.com

Best Way To Get Around:

You absolutely have to drive. No way around it. There just isn't any other way unless you own an airplane. You can fly from DFW airport to Abilene on American Airlines in less than an hour, but you will need to rent something to drive when you get there. That's life on the west Texas high plains. I've driven 400 miles in one day, just to have a lunch meeting. True!

In many restaurants remember to say "no beans" for many items, unless you want your plate swimming in beans. Ice tea comes unsweetened and in bucket size containers. Soft drinks (never called pop) are available in most national brands, with heavy emphasis on Dr. Pepper and Coke items.

Internet cafes are nearly impossible to find, but cell phone and Blackberry type access has improved very much over the years. It is now possible to talk your way from Fort Worth all the way to Abilene as there are cell towers most of the way. If you venture off the interstate highways, you will experience "no service" areas but you can always head for a high hill and do a bit better.

If your Lexus breaks down in Stamford, it's going to get towed all the way back over 250 miles to Fort Worth. If you get sick in Haskell, you may get towed to Abilene, Fort Worth, or even Dallas for medical care. Do be careful!

Most people don't walk in west Texas. You just won't see people on foot very often. Of course there are hiking trails in the state and federal parks, but drivers aren't used to seeing people "afoot" along the highways. If your car breaks down, stay with it. Don't attempt to walk to a town unless you can see the lights. Read Less

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MCM Eleganté Suites

Hotel | "Elegante' Suites"

Quote:

There's no place to stay in Buffalo Gap. The closest town of any size is Abilene about 20 miles north. I chose the Elegante' Suites once again as it is both pet friendly and comfortable. The suites are the sort of two room setup you have at Embassy Suites. The front room was equipped with fold-out bed, kitchenette, bathroom, and bedroom with two queen beds. In this hotel some of the rooms open from the interior spaces and some open from the outside walkways. I prefer the ones that open to the interior, as I feel more secure although it is more of a problem when the dog needs to go for a walk at 6am. Plenty of free parking, breakfast included, two televisions in each suite and high speed intern...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on May 25, 2006

MCM Eleganté Suites
4250 Ridgemont Drive
Abilene, Texas 79606
(325) 698-1234

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Perini Ranch Steakhouse

Restaurant | "Perini Ranch Steak House"

Quote:

Drive south out of Abilene until you reach Buffalo Gap. Not far in miles, but about 100 years back in time. The tiny village of Buffalo Gap (both historic and living) is the home of this very nice and interesting steak house. Folks, that means meat on a plate. Lots of it. Chicken if you must, and vegetables only if that is your desire—but beef is the speciality of this old ranch building. Yes, the real thing. Not whipped up by a restaurant company in some far away big city. Perini's can be very, very busy especially on weekends and when booked for private parties. Best to telephone to see how things are and to get driving directions. This is the real Texas, and as close as you ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 25, 2006

Perini Ranch Steakhouse
Box 728
Buffalo Gap, Texas 79508
(325) 572-3339

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Buffalo Gap Historic Village

Attraction

Quote:

Welcome to the real (once wild) west in Buffalo Gap, Texas. This carefully preserved historic village is a wonderful place to spend time, especially as it usually isn't crowded. www.buffalogap.com for specific information of hours open, fees and holiday closings. You walk around on your own (be careful of fire ants) and run into people in historically accurate attire who tell you about the village as it was for the very few years of it's prime.Buffalo Gap was supposed to be the County Seat and had a very fine court house, but suddenly the court records were stolen and hauled north to Abilene about 20 miles away and Buffalo Gap was soon given up as a failed town. That saved the building...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 25, 2006

Buffalo Gap Historic Village
Box 818
Buffalo Gap, Texas 79508
(325) 572-3365

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Hilton Museum

Attraction | "Conrad Hilton Community Center Museum"

Quote:

As I was driving along I-20 west toward Buffalo Gap and Abilene, I stopped at the Dairy Queen in Cisco for a little break. I saw a notice for the Conrad Hilton Community Center Museum and had to find it. A few blocks away I found the beautifully restored old Mobley Hotel, which was the very first of Hilton's hotel purchases. It set him on his way to his fame and considerable fortune.The museum in open a couple days a week for tours, but the building is used almost every day of the week as a community center. Two restored furnished bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor give a clear and honest idea what things were like in the first Hilton. Travelers on the railroad were grateful for a cle...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 25, 2006

Hilton Museum
309 Conrad Hilton Ave.
Cisco, Texas

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About the Writer

samepenny
West, Texas

"I've traveled since the age of 5 weeks. My suitcases get restless if I don't have a trip in plan an..."
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Texas Journals

Buffalo Gap Texas is Real

Buffalo Gap Texas is Real

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Best Way To Get Around:

MCM Eleganté Suites

Perini Ranch Steakhouse

Buffalo Gap Historic Village

Hilton Museum

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