If you have never been to a rodeo, check out SandHills in Odessa.

The SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo starts tomorrow, January 5, 2012, at the Ector County Coliseum in Odessa, Texas. We hope you’re already settling in to an Odessa, Texas Bed and Breakfast.

The big event begins with Steer and Heifer weigh ins and concludes January 14 with an evening Rodeo in the Coliseum. In between, there are lamb shows, horse shows, and goat shows. There are Kids Rodeos and Steer Roping Slacks. See the amazing Dusty Tuckness, bullfighter extraordinaire, and Cory Wall, the 2009 Bullfighter of the year.

There is also plenty of entertainment at SandHills Rodeo. Among others, see:

• Roz Beaton (who toured with the Cirque du Soleil “Cavalia” show) and Sally Bishop in the SureShot Acts Amazing Trick Riding.

• The Cooper Brothers

• Trevor Brazile

• The Peek Brothers

• JW Harris

If you’re not already in Odessa, we hope you’re on your way there. Once you arrive, you’ll be comfortable in an Odessa, Texas Bed and Breakfast.

Odessa is one of the largest cities on the Texas Pecos Trail. Consider spending a few days at an Odessa TX Bed and Breakfast while you explore the area. Spend an evening at the Midland-Odessa Symphony, and take in a show at Odessa’s Globe Theatre, where Macbeth is playing in mid April. If you’re traveling in September, check out the annual Shakespeare Festival. Another good stop is the Presidential Museum and Leadership Library, which focuses on the office of the presidency, not individual presidents.

Please see the Texas Pecos Trail for more information about various points of interest.

Located about an hour southwest from Odessa, Monahans Sandhills State Park doesn’t look like the kind of place once used as a watering hole by both Native Americans and the Texas and Pacific Railroad, but it was. Learn about the area’s interesting history as you experience this stark and beautiful landscape.

Monahans Sandhills State Park makes a great day trip from an Odessa Texas bed and breakfast.

Salute, originally uploaded by Satxvike.

Odessa, in West Texas, has a good number of museums worth visiting, if you happen to be heading to an Odessa Texas bed and breakfast. One of these is the Commemorative Air Force Airpower Museum, pictured above.

Their mission is to “help history soar,” and they do it by acquiring, restoring and preserving “a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans.”

The planes are ready to fly if and when the chance arises. Indeed, the chance does arise from time to time. The CAF holds AIRSHO each October. At that time, over 100 historic planes are available for viewing, and many pilots and crew members are present to field questions and share their passion for these planes.

The Commemorative Air Force Museum is truly remarkable. It began as a hobby, but grew into an organization that has restored and preserved hundreds of historic planes. Check it out the next time you stay at an Odessa bed and breakfast. You may find yourself compelled to return during AIRSHO 2010.

For more detailed information about the museum or AIRSHO, please visit the Commemorative Air Force website.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, originally uploaded by NationalParkLover.

If you are planning a trip to West Texas, be sure to put the Guadalupe Mountains National Park on your itinerary. In addition to being stunningly beautiful, it boasts one of the finest examples of fossilized reef in the world. It is fascinating to behold.

There is solitude here, and silence. Hikers will revel in over 80 miles of trails traversing woodland canyons and riparian springs. Some may want to head straight into the wilderness on switch-back trails that aren’t for the faint of heart (literally). Once in the back country, you’ll find isolated valleys and, if you stay the night, you’ll see more stars than one would think possible. Be sure you are well prepared before you set off on even a short hike. There is no water in the back country, and the weather can change suddenly.

The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is worth a visit even if you aren’t a hiker. It is a great spot for birding and fossil hunting. History buffs will enjoy learning about the geology of the area and the first peoples. You can’t go wrong.

So the next time you feel like a road trip, head to West Texas. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is four to five hours from both Odessa and Fort Davis. Enjoy the comfort and hospitality of West Texas Bed and Breakfasts on your way to and from the park.