Odessa - Check

Our travel plans included every state in the union except Alaska, Hawai'i, and Texas. We weren't trying to avoid Alaska or Hawai'i because we didn't like them - we just thought that they were more out of reach. But we were trying to avoid Texas at all costs.

Unfortunately, the most practical way to get to Louisiana from the southwest was to pass through Texas.

A beautiful trainer at Island Fitness, and friend, Cynthia is from Odessa, Texas, so we emailed her with one question: "What the heck is there to do in Odessa?"

Here is her response:

In Odessa, most people:

1. Drive through as fast as possible...or
2. Stop and drink so much that they don't remember they were there!

But for you guys, here's my list:

1. Take lots of pictures, because nobody will believe you when you tell them how ugly it was...too bad you can't capture the smell with a camera. ;-)


Cynthia was right about the smell. West Texas has a constant odor, but it served as the perfect foyer to the oil-lined Mississippi River in Baton Rouge.


I must say that Odessa is prettier than a lot of towns we've seen since we've crossed the Texas state line. There are definitely two distinct parts - like most cities. The west side is pretty run-down while the east side is bustling with numerous box stores.


2. Go to Rosa's Cafe and eat. Order a #8 combo and a #16....you'll love it and not spend much dough. I started eating here when it was just a hot grill in a tiny building, so you sweat while you ate. Here's their site.


We went to Rosa's Cafe and did just as Cynthia told us. We are incredibly stuffed!
Rosa seems to be doing well for herself - and her customers are loyal. Despite the variety of chain restaurants surrounding her (including a Chili's, Whataburger, and a few others), Rosa's Cafe was packed and the other parking lots were only half full. While we were there, we watched an endless line of customers at the drive-thru and inside the restaurant.

3. Odessa has an obsession with jackrabbits. There are statues everywhere - it's so ridiculous. You should definitely get a pic with one. The "world's largest" is on N. Sam Houston Avenue. Year built: 1962; Material: fiberglass; Height: 6 feet; Cost: $2,300.



We searched and searched for this hare, and finally found him tucked behind a few trees.

Tom Taylor, former director of the Texas Highway Department Travel and Information Division, suggested that Odessa erect a monument to the plethora of jackrabbits in the area.

It was at this hare that we heard thunder for the first time - in a really long time. Thankfully, the weather stayed nice for us to continue exploring Odessa.

4. You can see where both President Bush's and lady Bush got their start. Their home has been moved next to the Presidential Museum. Check it out here.

No offense to Bush supporters, but we skipped #4. George Bush is probably one of the main reasons we wanted to avoid Texas in the first place. We'd hate to be tarred and feathered for our opinions.

5. Odessa is into replica's. There is a replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and Anne Hathaway's house here.

6. And a Stonehenge replica here.


While I've never been to the original, Richie has. He says the one in England is a bit larger.


7. If you're coming in from the direction of our meteor crater, it is the third largest in the nation. IF I remember right, it's a big hole filled with weeds ;-) It's fun to say you've been there.


Cynthia was right, the meteor is a big hole in the ground covered with weeds. We arrived at 4pm - or at least our car clock said 4pm. The sign on the museum door posted hours from 9am to 5pm. Yes, we finally discovered we had crossed a time zone. Fortunately, we spent some time walking around and through the crater.


8. And, if you're driving in and passing through a town called Monahans (very close to Odessa) you GOTTA go here. It's my FAVORITE!! You can rent discs and slide down the dunes. Way fun!

Monahans was just west of Odessa. Thankfully, we had witnessed "sledding" on the dunes at White Sands National Monument.

9. And if you've ever seen Friday Night Lights, the movie or NBC series, it was written about my hometown high school. The stadium that holds nearly 20,000 from Friday Night Lights is in the movie starring Billy Bob Thornton. Check it out here.


This is a HUGE stadium just on the outskirts of town - in the middle of nowhere. You can't miss it! This is as close as we could get to the stadium because it was fenced off (with barbed wire at the top, mind you).

10. And last but not least, my mom :-) If you need a guide, or a place to stay, or want to meet an authentic, big haired Texas Mama, her name is Peggy. (And yes, like "King of the Hill" my dad's name is Hank), her number is (I took the number out. I figured Peggy didn't want it plastered on a public blog.) I'll tell her you're coming. And please, no matter what the people say is "fun," RIDING A PUMP JACK IS DANGEROUS! Don't do it!!! And ignore the Poison Gas signs - they're everywhere.

We made good timing going into Odessa, so we called Peggy and Hank to say hello. We ended up leaving them a message - thanking them for their offer to stay with them - and that we adore their daughter.

I had no idea what a pump jack was, much less anything about pump jack riding. Well, pump jacks are those large bobbing hammer-looking things splattered across west Texas, and they are drilling for oil. I have no doubt that it contributes to the unusual odor of west Texas. If you want to read more about pump jacks, click here.


Pump jack riding is when a person (or people) climb onto the arm the drill and ride it. I assume it is similar to being on a seesaw, but more intense. Read about a teenager who went pump jack riding and lost an arm.