Taylor's Army Surplus

4042 N. 1st St.

WHAT were these white boots used for??

A hidden gem on N. 1st! Who knew?! Certainly not me. In over 3 1/2 years, I'd never even noticed the rocket suspended from the sign or the cannon displayed in the parking lot.

It was so cool in here that if this place had a donation box like museums do, I would've put in some money.

It's fascinating inside!!

The outside never would've gotten me in the door but our son had been in several times, so I went with him.

Hung around the tops of the metal corrugated walls are jackets of uniforms from all over the world. Fascinating.

In a back room they have a rack of similar jackets for sale for $9.99.

One can also purchase British Pink Military Parachutes for $89.99. If one so desires. (I wonder what could mega-crafters do with that particular item?!)

Mixed with basic merchandise like wool blankets and sturdy plastic buckets with lids, you'll find multicolored, jungle-appropriate (I guess) long rain ponchos and a surprising variety of stuff. There's a full-size army jeep parked in there, as part of an attractive display.

I could go in several times and wander and enjoy myself.

Check it out!

Unique Churches

There are a lot of churches in Abilene, but these architecturally took the cake. Especially the one that looks like a spaceship. Complete with communication tower topped with a cross. They are all active congregations.

 Brook Hollow Christian Church - 2310 South Willis

 Our Savior Lutheran Church - 4933 South 7th Street

 Sacred Heart Catholic Church - 837 Jeannette Street

Sacred Heart stands out because as far as I know it is the only one of hundreds of churches in town having a little color on the outside, with the tile work. I like that tall, thin mediterranean-looking tree growing in front, too.

Buffalo Gap Historic Village

Part of the Texas Forts Trail system, Buffalo Gap village is full of historic structures. Each time we visit, I notice something new. Visitors can make their way through a clapboard house, a jail/courthouse, a doctor's office containing many old tools of the trade, and a school with adjacent playground, complete with seesaws and an old-fashioned merry-go-round. The collection also includes a cabin and railroad depot. Three different areas are separated by date. The 1880's, 1905 and 1925. See if you can place the photos below in their appropriate time period.

12th Armored Division Museum

This is a World War II museum, and a surprisingly good one. Its building looks like nothing much from the outside and is easy to drive right by, but is worth going in - and plan for some time to investigate. I'd say about an hour and a half to get a good look.

The museum's name put me off because a) I don't relate to numbers and b) I don't relate to military references. For instance, I didn't know that "armored division" meant tanks.

After touring this museum though, I have a better awareness of why those very numbers -- of groups, 'divisions,' or squadrons, did in fact and do still, mean a lot to some people. It's because the numbers represent friends. They represent comrades-in-arms, those who've served together in battle and experienced some of the most dramatic, traumatic, life-changing moments of their lives together.

This place is a lovingly assembled and surprisingly professional collection of artifacts and memorabilia which paints an interesting picture of the people and the times. The 12th Armored Division served in Europe, but they received their training in Abilene, Texas.

Outside in the back, you'll find an area containing old vehicles, including a tank. You can walk around them and get up close for a good look.

There's a small separate room with several items representing the Nazi regime and the S.S. the likes of which I'd never seen, especially that up-close - which is where the small, homemade feel of this museum is nice. Those really brought home for me that this stuff was not the subject of a Hollywood movie, but real-life.

Hitler Youth belt buckle with the inscription "Blood & Honor"

Jewish Gypsy prisoner armband (Auschwitz)

In the basement, you'll find a number of detailed dioramas. These small scenes recreating the place, time and action experienced by members of the 12th Armored Division really bring the experience to life.

There are a few samples of wall posters from the era. I found the subject matter and graphics interesting, especially when compared to today's mostly computer-generated art.

Find out more too, about this black veteran, who was posthumously awarded a medal for courage and ability.

Honoring Sergeant Carter: Redeeming a Black World War II Hero's Legacy

Abilene's Stonehenge

Okay, it's just the remains of the braces for some kind of aqueduct-thing, but it's ended up looking like a kind of cool sculpture cutting across a section of Will Hair park. The name of the park there is not a typo, that's really the name of the park - which is a pretty nice one with baseball fields, a good-sized playground, a disc-golf course and plenty of open space.

Medical Murals

Who does this?! I don't mean who paints murals, I mean who thinks of commissioning murals for stairwells in a medical building on an Air Force base? I know who actually, and hope to sometime get a photo and interview with him on here. The man who made this and much more happen was the Facilities Manager for the building for a number of years. He slowly transformed the place over his tenure there. Every floor, every waiting area and the grounds are all strangely and wonderfully transformed from blank and clinical to warm and beautiful. Out of place for a military base where everything is usually bland and non-descript. He added plants inside and out, art on every wall. Everything is freshly painted, renovated, clean and repaired. He did this within federally-approved budget standards. Yes, people these success stories are possible! I love to hear about them occasionally, to counteract the all too-prevalent apathy and excuses. I'm sure there were some problems and challenges accomplishing the final result. It took a lot of patience and hard work over time. Now employees and customers (patients) are encouraged and comforted by their surroundings. In the main entry, there is even a waterfall feature. The wall behind it is painted to look like a garden in Tuscany. Scattered outside on all sides of the four-story, long building are benches and sculptures. Usually on a military base one can't tell the difference between buildings. They look exactly the same, inside and out. It could be a bowling alley or the command headquarters you're looking at, hard to tell. Every one surrounded by a flat expanse of ground. This one breaks that mold.

The Cows

A landmark created by artist Wayne Amerine, "The Herd" appears to graze and moo in a patch of scrub grass at the 277 exit from highway 83. Some businesses give directions to their establishment by saying, "near the cow sculptures." A permanent outdoor installation, these wooden and metal Holsteins add whimsy and spots (;) of color to an otherwise plain expanse of vegetation.

Abilene Cultural Affairs Council - Outdoor Sculpture Tour

A-Frames of Abilene

One a church, the other a defunct drive-in. Both structures within sight of one another.

They sure accentuate the sky. Do you think the drive-in thought it would be good advertising to build in that shape (assuming the church came first)?

This is startling architecture for these parts - and also, for a church in general, especially a smaller one like this. Does remind one of the Air Force Academy chapel though.

Castles of Abilene

I happened upon this apartment complex with its Rapunzel tower, near my son's middle school. It looks so incredibly incongruous in the middle of our West Texas plains. The fake half-timbering is a pretty good replica though. Overall, there's some room for the imagination plopped here. I'd like to know what room is inside the tower.

The second "castle" if you'll notice, even has a rounded front door. I wonder when the shutters on either side of the window came along because they're not the right size and look out of place. Even more, I wonder about who decided to build this! The fairytale effect is enhanced by the overgrown yard and bushes.

"Abilene" doesn't sound a very European name, but we have our castles!

Highly Recommended Christmas Lights

McMurry University had a music-coordinated display this year. I hope it'll be there again next year. Set to music, you drive up and tune your radio to the channel on the signs. Face the star, the tree and the light arcs and let the show begin, complete with accompanying music. It was all great! Really, very fun and a stirring holiday experience, better than I'd imagined.

Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest

How cool is it that here, out in the middle of the desert tundra that surrounds Abilene (ok, I’m not sure if that’s geologically accurate but you get the point, for effect) we have our own miniature Gothic cathedral?

It actually is cooler than normal inside, which in my experience does in fact match the temperature of the larger European cathedrals. There are interesting architectural touches everywhere, from the classic upside-down-fishing-boat ceiling, to carved wooden seats and figures of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that surround the lectern (is that the right term?).

The stained glass windows are a highlight (check out THAT pun!). And because the place is smaller, their colors glow through closer and have a more immediate effect. Much of this stained glass art is better than some of the older stuff, I think. It all depends on the artist no matter the era I guess, but I feel some others that I’ve seen were more focused on violence or were legalistic.

There are some colorful needlepoint cushions sewn by ladies of the church, and depicting native wildflowers. Why not make ordinary-use things beautiful? I liked experiencing this place. We got a local, personable tour from a church member.

Mockingbird Branch – Abilene Public Library

When I went into the Main branch and South branch I thought both times, “You know, putting some plants in here wouldn’t hurt.” What a great combination plants and books are. But, there weren’t any that I noticed. There are several healthy, lush ones in Mockingbird library, housed in a building which is a perfect example of, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” The outside of this library is flanked by not just one, but two dollar stores (kind of convenient for errands, actually) and a Super Bingo location. It’s an old strip mall, with a somewhat ratty parking lot in front (again, rather convenient). A shiny new sign is attached over the still-existing holes from old one(s). Get inside though, and it’s very pleasant and clean and arranged nicely. They also seem to have more of the books I want here.

ACU Walking Trail

Cool fitness and artistic concept: a wide, paved sidewalk interspersed with Bible verses carved into the concrete, adorned with fluttering flags of different nations and the 50 American states. Walkers pass by the fountain on "the hill" and there is a contemplative maze imprinted into the pavement opposite.

Also nearby, the Jacob's Dream statue.

Beauty Is ... In the Eye of the Beholder

This giant gorilla sculpture can be found on Royal Crest Drive in Abilene. Notice the accompanying little baby ... gorilla.

Tiny Weathered Homes

I’m so curious to know the history of these homes at the intersection of North 8th & Ash Street.

They're tiny, weathered clapboard structures and look like they came out of a kit for “abbreviated house” or something.

Saturday Morning Soccer World

Starting at 9:00 a.m. and going on throughout the afternoon, there is a hidden world of activity that many don't know exists, and are happily sleeping in oblivious of.

I'm talking about Big Country Soccer leagues.

The season now is Fall Soccer, lasting for 8 weeks. There is also a Spring season.

Cars arrive in a stream starting at 8:30, turning off of Maple Street onto the dusty gravel road under the entrance to the fields near South 27th. Parents and grandparents help children unload stadium chairs, coolers, regulation-size balls. Players are dressed in elaborate uniforms of bright neon, with matching patterned socks with the likes of stars or flames.

Competition is fierce, at least for some of the parents. Many of the younger kids are still caught up in the simple joys of kicking a ball and running. They make easy mistakes like, "Which goal belongs to our team again?"

Level of play can be high though and some of the girls and boys will go on to play in high school or college.

Until then, their 'fan clubs' (again, parents and grandparents) come to watch them, wearing team colors, some using umbrellas as a shield from the sun.

One girl had a pink blanket from her bed with her to spread on the grass, and I saw a woman carrying a box of donuts.

It's quite an event.