More Comanchero Trails

In early October we (Mom, Dad & I) were fortunate to be able to host Robert Jones from the Texas General Land Office.

Robert was seeking our assistance in establishing the 1788 route Pedro Vial and Franciso Xavier Fragoso first took from Santa Fe New Mexico to the fort at Natchitoches via Taovayas (aka Spanish Fort). He hooked up with us by the work we did on the Comanchero trails which is published on Dads blog.
(click http://odomsinhappy.blogspot.com/)

Robert had a rare translated copy of the Francisco diarys, which has the description of their trip. This paired up with our work on the Comanchero’s and with our knowledge of the country made for an exciting adventure of discovery. We will publish more on the route soon on dad’s blog.

In the mean time please enjoy the pictures taken on our weekend adventure.

(Click on the pictures for a larger view)

The Palo Duro Canyon



























The Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River
Tule Canyon
























Caprock Canyons


The Ranch at Happy




Rivajenous - A view from the Llano - The caprock on both sides of the picture frame the route down from the Llano into New Mexico.
"The Tree" - Universal land mark for directions. Being how it is the only tree for miles and miles it is easily used for directions to and from. I guess they had to put the sign on it so that city people would know for sure that it is "the tree".

(Joann Odom, Robert Jones, & Pete Odom)
New Mexico

School Starts

August 20th – Kristen is off to WTAMU – The car is packed and she is off to college.



August 25th - Jack, Bev & Zachary – Traditional first day of school picture.

Cousins Camp 2008

Cousins Camp 2008 was lightly attended this year because of the threat of rain. However the real diehard campers would never let a little rain stop a good camping trip to the river.

Kristen & Lindsey Wilhelm
Jack, Nicholas & Kristen
Nick, Kristen and Nikki Jeffrey (Nick's friend)
Guest Jacob Killian and Mike Burhalter

Blake Wilhelm
Kristen & Berkley Wilhelm
Zachary, Jack & Matt Wilhelm doing a little late night sand digging.

Bev enjoying a smore.

2008 TCFA Jr Beef Contest

The TCFA Jr Beef Contest has become traditional annual event for us. The kids have been competing in it ever year since they were 9. They have been very consistent at always placing.


Pictured here are the Wellington teams:
- Jared Warrick & Zachary Odom
- Trey Long & Jack Odom
- Bailey Long & Kristen Odom
Michael Edwards, from Conroe TX, is a friend of Kristen’s that she met at the contest last year. He was back again competing in the Jr. Fed Beef contest. He is also the current state 4-H president.
Kristen and her partner Bailey Long won the written test division and presentation division thus capturing the high point team trophy. This would be about the 4th year in a row that Kristen’s team won the contest.

Dads Easter Egg Birthday

Every year dad gets to pick a place or a theme for his birthday. Many of the years past he has had it at Wonderland Park (an amusement park in Amarillo Texas). At Easter this year everyone was busy and could not meet at the ranch for our traditional Easter egg hunt. So dad decided that is what he wanted for his birthday. Yes, an Easter egg hunt in July.




It was a blast. Dad invited all the neighborhood kids too. Now you know why all the kids in town like dad.