High Plains Geography

Snapshots from the Digital Windshield

permian basin
Waypoints

The Perfect Geological Storm of the Permian Basin

July 23, 2026 BBQGRAIL 0
At first, the Permian Basin might seem like just another spot on the map. But its story is a blend of ancient geology and a dash of unexpected history. The Permian Basin holds more significance than most people realize, making it a fascinating subject for exploration. The Permian Basin gets its name from the Permian geologic period. Deep below our […]
prairie skyscrapers
Waypoints

History of Prairie Skyscrapers

July 16, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
If you drive across the flat Texas Panhandle, you will notice giant concrete towers sticking out like sore thumbs. Locals call them “Prairie Skyscrapers.” Today, most look completely abandoned. What on earth is their story? These ghosts are the hilarious, stubborn results of economic shifts, federal policies, and intense engineering. Why the Prairie Skyscrapers Stand Empty Back in the 1940s, […]
amarillo mountains
Waypoints

The Amarillo Mountains: The Panhandle’s Hidden Peaks

June 25, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
The Amarillo Mountains are a hidden wonder right under our feet. If you stand in downtown Amarillo and look out, you see only the flat, endless Llano Estacado. But deep below all that dirt and rock, there’s a huge, rugged mountain range most folks never even hear about. Here is the story of the hidden peaks beneath the Panhandle. The […]
blue norther
Waypoints Detours

The Blue Norther: The Panhandle’s Sudden Winter Wall

June 25, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
A blue norther in the Texas Panhandle is something you remember forever. One moment, the sky feels like an old friend. The next winter barrels in like a linebacker at full speed. Suddenly, everything flips upside down. This storm does not just arrive. It sweeps across the land and claims it. Before a blue norther rolls in, the day can […]
llano estacado
Waypoints Detours

The Llano Estacado: Navigating the Staked Plains

June 21, 2026 Larry Gaian 0
The Llano Estacado, or “Staked Plains,” stretches out like a giant tabletop across the heart of Texas and New Mexico. Covering about 37,500 square miles, it touches 33 Texas counties and 4 in New Mexico. This land is one of the biggest and most unique places you will find anywhere in North America. At first glance, the Llano Estacado might […]