Retired Drifters: Road Trip

Glen Rose, Texas

Weather: low 54 degrees, high 75 degrees, cloudy early, then clear

We took a road trip today up north to Wichita Falls. There was really no reason for the trip, other than wanting to ride a little. So, we did some riding. It was a nice day for a ride, with warmer temperatures and clear skies. Traffic was light, and at times there was not another vehicle within sight.

Our route took us up US 281 through Mineral Wells, Perrin, Jacksboro (this sounds like it should be in Kentucky), Windthorst, Scotland, through Wichita Falls to Burkburnett, and back. The countryside is mostly rolling hills with some small mesas. Trees consist of several different types of oaks, mesquite, and cedar. The primary use of the land appears to be ranching, with some farming. The area around Windthorst, which has a German flavor to it, is used for dairy farming. Once you get past Mineral Wells, the gas wells seem to be less in number and there are many more producing oil wells.

Wichita Falls is a city of about 100,000 people, but it has a small town feel to us. Sheppard Air Force Base is north of the city, and we saw several military jets in the air.

On our way back, we stopped at Fort Richardson State Park in Jacksboro to tour the area. This park is the site of one of the frontier forts that were built to protect the people from Indian and outlaw raids. The fort was built in 1867, and was used until 1878, when it was abandoned. Only a few of the original buildings are still standing, including the hospital, morgue, bakery, magazine, enlisted men's quarters, commisary, part of the guardhouse, and the commanding officer's house. There is also an RV park on the grounds, and we would like to stay there sometime. The picture below is of one of the buildings still standing at the fort.

Jacksboro is located in Jack County, and was one of the few areas in the south to vote against leaving the Union. The courthouse is fairly modern, and not the kind of courthouse we normally take pictures of. The courthouse is in the center of town, and is located on one of the largest courthouse square areas we have seen.