We left Guymon, Oklahoma around 9:30 and ambled south into the Texas Panhandle.  Along the way we passed field after field of massive windmills (see video below), the steady southerly winds had them all churning along delivering lots of kilowatts.  We were heading toward Fritch Texas and the Lake Meridith National Wildlife Area and the Ablates National Monument. 

Both were in the same area and we figured to spend the better part of the day exploring them.  After driving 10 miles off the highway to Ablates, we found a hand written sign on the door of the visitors center saying the ranger was on a tour and would return around 1pm!  Since it was 10am, we decided to drive up the road to the monument’s flint quarries and have a look – not to be!  We came to a locked gate and a sign saying that we needed reservations for entry.  So, unless you plan in advance (not noted on maps, guidebook or anywhere else but the National parks website) you can’t get in.  BUMMER!

Lake Meredith launch ramp!

Not to be discouraged, we continued further still into the boonies to visit Lake Meredith and the wildlife area.  The picture of the launch ramp shown on the right tells the tale.  The massive Lake Meredith shown on maps and “Waterfront Lots” brochures is but a shadow of its former self.  Years of drought and increasing water demands by Amarillo and other Texas cities have drained the once massive lake to mud puddle status.  There is supposed to be a bit of lake down near the dam but as far as we could see, just grass and trees but no water anywhere.  For more pictures of this area, click HERE but don’t tow you boat this way expecting to catch a fish – only walking catfish stand a chance!  Oh well, East toward Oklahoma in search of lunch and a “National” something without a closed sign.