Texas Highways Magazine October 2021

Senior Managing Editor Matt Joyce has been documenting his outdoor adventures in Texas Highways for nearly a decade. For this month’s cover story, the sixth-generation Texan traveled to Caprock Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon, and the Canadian River to chart a roadmap for an epic canyon-to-canyon vacation. What was a highlight of your Canyons trip that didn’t make it into the story? The best part of traveling for Texas Highways is learning about different pockets of the state from locals who are fascinated with their own home turf. Chris Podzemny of Amarillo is a good example. “Podz,” as he’s known, builds trail systems for hikers and bikers across the Panhandle. At Palo Duro, Podz took me on a hike on the Rock Garden Trail, which he helped build 10 years ago…

As you explore, you’ll find an amazing range of relaxation and adventure, natural beauty and urban culture, fine art, fine dining, small-town charm and big-city amenities… but what you will remember most is the warm, West Texas hospitality. ALPINE Natural beauty, unique nightlife and shopping, and a grand array of hotels and guest lodging make Alpine the perfect staging grounds for your West Texas adventure. visitalpinetx.com Historic & Mural Walking Tours: Explore Alpine’s small and eminently walkable downtown with these guides to its historic and artistic highlights. Nov 19-20 - ARTWALK Alpine’s biggest arts festival spans two days in November to showcase a variety of art exhibitions in many local businesses, all against a backdrop of festivities and live music. MIDLAND–Midland is a great place to eat, play, shop & stay as…

There’s no British equivalent to Texas’ infamous grackle, at least according to Edward Carey, who wrote and illustrated “Grackles!” (Page 40). Before moving to the Lone Star State from the U.K. 11 years ago, the Austin-based novelist had been aware of Texas hallmarks like cowboys and cacti, but “nobody told me about grackles,” he says. Nearly immediately after arriving, the grackles commanded Carey’s attention, and he began drawing and painting the creatures. “They are such a joy to draw because their faces are so dramatic,” says Carey, who has become quite a fan of the bird. “They are like small demons that are a part of our daily existence. They are the birds we deserve.” During the pandemic lockdown, Carey began a series of daily drawings, and grackles made frequent…

DIRECTOR Joan Henderson EDITORIAL Editor in Chief Emily Roberts Stone Deputy Editor Michael Hoinski Senior Managing Editor Matt Joyce Managing Editor Kimya Kavehkar Associate Editor Julia Jones Senior Writer Clayton Maxwell Writers-at-Large Roberto José Andrade Franco, John Nova Lomax, Joe Nick Patoski, ire’ne lara silva Contributing Editors Heather Brand, Melissa Gaskill, E. Dan Klepper, June Naylor Contributing Writers Edward Carey, Michael Corcoran, Cynthia J. Drake, Chet Garner, Pam LeBlanc, Laurel Miller, Hector Saldaña, Robert Wilonsky Editorial Interns Cecilia Garzella, Jacqueline Knox, Morgan O’Neal DIGITAL Product and Engagement Manager Natalie Moore Digital Strategies Manager Tyson Bird Web Editor Sarah Thurmond PUBLISHER Andrea Lin ART Creative Director Mark Mahorsky Art Director Ashley Burch Associate Art Director Chris Linnen Photo Editor Brandon Jakobeit Contributing Photographers Jessica Attie, Kenny Braun, Christ Chavez, Melanie Grizzel,…

Loved “The Original Cowboys” and the wonderful story of Samuel Buentello. His is an amazing life story and worthy of reading.Richard Johnson, DeSoto Lipscomb Sweet Home My grandparents lived there for a time, and my grandfather was the justice of the peace [“This Happy Place,” August]. I remember all the turkeys! They’d come around every evening and sometimes get on the roof of the house. Rhyan Sikorski, Dallas Wine List McPherson’s viognier is a favorite [“High Plains Vintner,” August]. Also a fan of the sangiovese. We enjoyed a bottle with homemade pizza just the other night. David Wilcoxen, Austin Driving Across the Pond You should try lorry (truck) driving in the U.K. [“Keep on Truckin’,” August]. No two minutes are the same on our roads. David Cutforth, Stamford, Lincolnshire, United…

Bigtooth maple trees make Guadalupe Mountains National Park one of Texas’ best places to see colorful fall foliage. “I had planned to be in the Guadalupe Mountains on an unrelated assignment and was lucky that it coincided with the change in colors,” says photographer Kenny Braun, who took this shot last October while hiking Devil’s Hall Trail. Luck certainly helps when it comes to catching peak leaf display, but summer conditions this year portend a colorful fall. Elizabeth Jackson, Guadalupe Mountains’ chief of interpretation, says the season’s soaking rains should enhance brilliant colors. An October cold snap of three to five days and mild winds would also help, she adds. Guadalupe Mountains’ fall foliage typically lasts from mid-to-late October through November. The park updates a Fall Color Report on its…