Do you think Midland/Odessa should be classified as Big Bend Country or Panhandle Plains? (El Paso: design, transit)

[Westerntraveler]

Do you think Midland/Odessa should be considered in the Big Bend Country or Panhandle Plains?Texas Highways puts it in the Big Bend country when its hours away from the Big Bend and the adjacent county,Martin County, on Interstate Highway 20 to the east and State Highway 349 to the north is the Panhandle Plains.I know that Texas Highways classifies some other parts of the state differently than what some Texans might. for example Big Lake and Ozona are officially in the Hill Country.So what do yall think?

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by Westerntraveler

Do you think Midland/Odessa should be considered in the Big Bend Country or Panhandle Plains?Texas Highways puts it in the Big Bend country when its hours away from the Big Bend and the adjacent county,Martin County, on Interstate Highway 20 to the east and State Highway 349 to the north is the Panhandle Plains.I know that Texas Highways classifies some other parts of the state differently than what some Texans might. for example Big Lake and Ozona are officially in the Hill Country.So what do yall think?

I've noticed that in TH, as well. I've only been through that area 3 times, it strikes me as plains more than Big Bend country.

[Westerner92]

It's arid like Big Bend Country, but it's flat like the Panhandle Plains. Texas Highways probably put it in the Big Bend region because if it wasn't, there'd only be El Paso as far as large cities go in that entire corner of the state. Outsiders probably would have a hard time finding dissimilarities between Midland-Odessa and Lubbock and Amarillo, so it's more natural for it to be in the plains region I'd say. The Permian Basin is a crossover area really.

[Cathy4017]

Midland has been called "The Gateway to Big Bend", and I suppose that is because it has the nearest major airport. It does seem more like Panhandle Plains to me, though.

Ozona and Big Lake do NOT belong in the classification of "Hill Country." I've always disagreed with Texas Highways' breakout/interpretation on the different areas. Both are way too far west to be classified thus. IMHO, the "Hill Country" starts east of Junction. While neither are flat like Midland, they would both fit "Big Bend" better than "Hill Country."

[Westerntraveler]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Midland has been called "The Gateway to Big Bend", and I suppose that is because it has the nearest major airport. It does seem more like Panhandle Plains to me, though.

Ozona and Big Lake do NOT belong in the classification of "Hill Country." I've always disagreed with Texas Highways' breakout/interpretation on the different areas. Both are way too far west to be classified thus. IMHO, the "Hill Country" starts east of Junction. While neither are flat like Midland, they would both fit "Big Bend" better than "Hill Country."

thanks for replying Cathy.ya i agree with you and westerner about Midessa being more like the Panhandle Plains.Good point westerner about the Permian Basin being a transition area....Moderator cut: Off-Topic

[Westerntraveler]

well maybe a better classification for Big Lake/Ozona would be the Panhandle Plains cuz San Angelo is Panhandle Plains and its not totally flat like Midland Odessa....taylor county aint totally flat either.However,i like the Hill Country classification.hey cathy, how come u dont consider junction hill country?

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Westerntraveler

well maybe a better classification for Big Lake/Ozona would be the Panhandle Plains cuz San Angelo is Panhandle Plains and its not totally flat like Midland Odessa....taylor county aint totally flat either.However,i like the Hill Country classification.hey cathy, how come u dont consider junction hill country?

Ozona is rough, hilly canyon country like Del Rio, more so than San Angelo, but has some elements of all three classifications (Hill Country, Big Bend, Panhandle Plains). Even so, it strikes me as more Big Bend, especially the higher sections of NW Crockett county, and the rougher areas south toward Val Verde county.

The fact that TH can classify Ozona as being in the "Hill Country" at all makes me realize just how subjective all this really is, LOL!

You could consider Junction the start of the Hill Country when you start going east. I guess I always think of the Hill Country as being greener and with a lot more trees of different varieties than you see in West Texas.

Moderator cut: Off-Topic

[joqua]

I thought the designation for Mid-Odessa was "Permian Basin?" That makes more sense to me than saying it fits into either the plains or Big Bend. Another term that is used in reference to Big Bend and far west Texas is Trans-Pecos.

[Westerntraveler]

Originally Posted by joqua

I thought the designation for Mid-Odessa was "Permian Basin?" That makes more sense to me than saying it fits into either the plains or Big Bend. Another term that is used in reference to Big Bend and far west Texas is Trans-Pecos.

hey joqua to answer your question the term that Texas highways uses is Big Bend Country but Midland Odessa is also called Permian Basin more commonly.

[TXRyan23]

I always called it "West Texas"