Things to Do in the Windy City of Lubbock, Texas

Remember when Coca Cola came in squat green-glass bottles and cost a dime?

One spring afternoon in 1970, as a junior at Texas Tech University, I bought one of those Cokes after class. Carrying it outside, I sat down on a concrete bench to wait for a ride. Taking once last swallow, I placed the empty bottle on the back of the bench. And the wind blew it off.

I was studying journalism, not aerodynamics, but even I got the fact that the wind gust had been strong enough to topple a heavy piece of glass with a small surface area and low center of gravity.

So, yes, it can be windy in Lubbock. Maybe that's why Mac Davis sang of finding happiness in seeing Lubbock in his rearview mirror, but Lubbock's gone a lot farther down the road since then. It's a fun place to visit, with a diverse range of things to do.

Deciding to go with the blow, Lubbock has even capitalized on its windy reputation. One of its prime attractions, nationally-recognized, is its American Wind Power Center.

The center has some 90 vintage windmills scattered on its grounds, with another 40 located in its building, a remodeled warehouse. In addition to its collection of historic windmills, the center has interpretive exhibits and a unique gift shop. The center also has a 240-foot, state-of-the-art wind turbine that not only demonstrates the growing importance of green energy, it provides power for the center with enough left over to send extra juice into the city's electrical grid.

When young Charles Hardin "Buddy" Holly played in a garage band in Lubbock back in the '50s, folks still took windmills for granted. He and his band, the Crickets, went on to become famous, but for a while, Lubbock took him for granted, too.

Lubbock finally came to appreciate Holly's music. They put up a statue in his honor and opened the Buddy Holly Center in the old Fort Worth and Denver railroad station. The center features memorabilia from Holly's short but notable career.

Back in the late 60s and early 70s, about the only thing the Hub City had going for it in the way of tourist attractions was the Prairie Dog Down in 248-acre Mackenzie Park. The prairie dogs are still there (well, their descendants) and they are amusing, especially for kids or the young at heart.

I'd recommend hitting the park right after breakfast, since the prairie dogs are active in the morning. Next see the wind power center, since walking around and looking at all the windmills is more pleasant in the morning than during the afternoon heat. Round out your day in air conditioning at the Buddy Holly Center.

Then, for dinner, try the Depot District. Yes, at 200,000, Lubbock is big enough to have it own entertainment district, just like other major cities.

Local folks favor La Diosa Cellars, an inexpensive winery-bistro and the Hub City Brewery. Lubbock's only brew pub, it offers burgers and steaks and live entertainment along with its specialty brews.

If you like to stay in historic homes rather than modern motels, call it a night at Broadway Manor Bed and Breakfast, located between the sprawling Texas Tech campus and downtown.

With apologies to "Buddy" and the Crickets, that'll be the day.

____________________________
Mackenzie Park and Prairie Dog Town is at 4^th and I-27 in Northeast Lubbock. Call 806-775-2687 for more information or visit www.playlubbock.com

The American Wind Power Center is at 1701 Canyon Lake Dr. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. From October 1 to April 30, the museum is closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 806-747-8734 or visit www.windmill.com

The Buddy Holly Center is at 1801 Avenue G in the Depot District on the eastern edge of downtown. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. For more details, call 806-767-2686 or visit the center's Web site at www.buddyhollycenter.org

La Diosa Cellars is at 901 17^th St. The winery/bistro is open from 10 a.m. to midnight Tuesday-Friday and from noon to 1 a.m. on Sunday.

The Hub City Brewery is at 1807 Avenue H (an easy walk from the Buddy Holly Center) and is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday and from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

Broadway Manor Bed and Breakfast is at 1811 Broadway. For more information, call toll free 877-504-8223 or check out the B&B's Web site at www.broadwaymanor.net

Lubbock also has wineries, the Ranching Heritage Center and the archaeological site known as Lubbock Lake Landmark. For more information on things to do in Lubbock, check www.visitlubbock.org or call 800-692-4035.