Since you have to know a little something about a destination, before you can decide if you want to go there, I did a little research on what Abilene has to offer.

Abilene calls itself the “Friendly Frontier”, positioning itself as a balance of traditional Old West heritage and contemporary city.  It is in the central part of Texas, about 150 miles west of Fort Worth, and strikes me as a big small town.  Big in the sense that the population is over 100,000, but small in the sense that it is still very much of a community, rather than an impersonal city.  It looks like there’s lot to do in Abilene from visiting animals, enjoying arts and theater, viewing some historical sites, and shopping.

In fact, Abilene has evolved to become the commercial, retail, medical and transportation hub of a goodly sized piece of Texas real estate commonly called “The Big Country” or “The Texas Midwest.”  Housing and services are still considered in the affordable range!  Detailed information about doing business in the city can be obtained from the Abilene Chamber of Commerce.

I’m not sure if I’m driven to visit Abilene yet, but it’s home to some notable folks:

• Boxer Tex Cobb
• Singer Larry Gatlin (and the Gatlin Brothers)
• Actor Fess Parker (I remember his playing Daniel Boone)
• Country Musician Lee Roy Parnell
• Singer & Actress Jessica Simpson

Do you have a matchbook that you’ve been up in your travels?  A favorite hotel, restaurant, or bar?  Or just something kind of quirky that made you stop and smile?  Take a photo, and send it to me for a future Matchbook Monday.

Photo credit: Personal collection

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe