Amarillo, Texas is located in the northern part of the state
& has a population of 185,525. (2007) The city is named after the Spanish
word for yellow & is known as “The Yellow Rose of Texas”.
Amarillo quickly flourished thanks to cattle ranching &
the arrival of the railroad & quickly became a major cattle shipping
point. With the discovery of both oil
& gas in the area, industry thrived.
Having one of the country’s most productive helium fields, Amarillo proclaimed itself “Helium Capital of
the World”.
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is
dedicated to the history of the breed of horse known for its speed when running
a quarter mile. Attending a rodeo is
another western treat not to be missed.
For racing enthusiasts, the Route 66 Motor Speedway is a popular way to
spend a Saturday evening. If antiques
are your passion, the Historic Route 66 District will enchant you. The Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the second
largest canyon system in the United States, featuring a hoodoo shaped like a
lighthouse.
For a unique dining experience head over to The Big Texan
Steak Ranch where eating a 72 ounce steak in under an hour will earn you a free
dinner.
The Rick Husband International Airport services the city
& is located 7 miles east of the downtown.
Rick Husband, an Amarillo native, was the Commander of the Space Shuttle
Columbia that tragically disintegrated during re-entry over Texas.