30 Reasons we love West Texas: Because it’s the perfect place for some fun in the sun

I recently left my beloved Lubbock and moved to Central Texas. When I walked into my new office, the first question my new coworkers asked was “Why would anyone want to live in West Texas?” If you’re a Red Raider, chances are you’ve been asked this before. For those of you incoming freshmen, let me give you a hand. I can think of 30 reasons why we love West Texas. Yes, 30 - like the number on Andrew Sorrells’ basketball jersey. Yes, that guy Coach Beard yelled at after that alley-op against Baylor.

When people think of West Texas, they think dry desert land. They think of tumbleweeds and cowboys and a vast nothingness. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of that in West Texas, but I bet you didn’t know about the lakes. There’s a few of those.

If you are looking for a fun day in the sun, but don’t want to venture too far from campus, Buffalo Springs Lake is the place to be. You will find plenty of camping, boating, fishing and cooking for those nice Lubbock days. There is plenty of room for camping, boating, fishing and cooking for those nice Lubbock days. Yes, I’m talking about that lake you saw on the news recently. They had a slight problem with their 4th of July fireworks.

A short drive down the road to Post, Texas, you will find Lake Alan Henry. The lake is a reservoir in the upper Brazos River Basin created by the construction of the John T. Montford Dam in 1993. It is operated and used as a future tertiary water supply by the city of Lubbock, Texas and serves as a recreational spot for the region of West Texas. It extends 11 mi and has over 56 mi of shoreline. It was one of the first places I visited when I moved to Lubbock, and it remains one of my favorite places on earth.

San Angelo’s Lake Nasworthy offers plenty of outdoor opportunities to enjoy. The lake has plenty of options all the way around. Knickerbocker Park features a boat ramp, picnic area and playground, and Mary E. Lee Park boasts similar amenities along with a beach swimming area. The lake is also the site of the annual Showdown in San Angelo event, which hosts drag boat racers from across the country. But if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed, a ride on the Tulle Princess steamboat could be an option.

What’s your favorite lake to visit in West Texas?