Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle Quiz

Answer: Yellow

Amarillo is named for the yellow grass that grows in the region. The Texas Panhandle is known as the Golden Plains. But don't say "Ahm-a-ree-yo" around here; the locals pronounce it "Am-a-rill-ah".

Answer: Helium

Most of the world's supply of helium is found within 250 miles of Amarillo. The Helium Monument was dedicated in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of helium in the region. The monument originally included 4 time capsules, but one was opened in 1993 after 25 years.

The last time capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2968. The monument is just in front of the Don Harrington Discovery Center, a hands-on science museum for kids of all ages.

Answer: A roadside attraction with 10 vintage Cadillacs buried at an angle in the ground.

Amarillo's local eccentric, Stanley Marsh 3, erected this attraction, a line of 10 Cadillacs from the 1949-1963 era. They are partially buried in the ground, nose down, at the same angle as the Cheops pyramids of Egypt. If you bring a can of spray paint, you can tag the Cadillacs to your heart's content. Due to the growth of Amarillo, the Cadillac Ranch has been moved further west twice. There is also a "Bug Ranch" with vintage VW Beetles similarly displayed on the east side of Amarillo.

P.S. If the cabrito sounded familiar, there is (or used to be) a Cadillac Bar in Nuevo Laredo just across the border from Laredo TX that served cabrito.

Answer: Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon is the largest canyon in Texas, and second only to the Grand Canyon in the US. The Prairie Dog Town fork of the Red River flows through it. Palo Duro State Park includes a road down to the floor of the canyon, many hiking trails, and campgrounds.

Answer: "Texas"

Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon stages the musical production "Texas" every summer. Many of the performers are students at West Texas A&M University, in nearby Canyon, Texas. The actual script for the show has changed several times over the years, but the show is always entertaining and the setting is spectacular.

Answer: Lubbock

I-27 starts in Lubbock, and ends in Amarillo at I-40 near mile maker 123. It may eventually be part of a 4 lane divided highway system known as the Ports-to-Plains Corridor linking Laredo on the Mexican border with West Texas, Denver, and ultimately to Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, Canada.

Having an Interstate Highway connect the cities of Lubbock and Amarillo is fairly symbolic. The highway facilitates rapid transportation and fosters cooperation between the two cities, while the "Interstate" designation suggests that Lubbock and Amarillo are different in many ways and can be quite fierce rivals.

Answer: 72 oz.

Billboards across the country invite travelers to eat a "Free 72-ounce Steak Dinner". The fine print includes the "if you can eat it all in 1 hour" part. Almost 50,000 people have tried since 1960, and about 8,500 have succeeded. And yes, you do have to eat a full dinner - the steak, a baked potato, a salad, shrimp cocktail, and a roll. Dessert is optional.

Answer: Llano estacado

Llano estacado, or staked plains, is the name of the flat region in West Texas, and Eastern New Mexico. The eastern border has many cliffs and canyons separating it from the plains below. As one moves westward across the 150-200 miles of the Llano estacado, the elevation rises from 3,000 feet above sea level to 5,000 feet above sea level.

Answer: American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum

The American Quarter Horse Association is headquartered in Amarillo and maintains the Quarter Horse museum. Many decorated quarter horse statues are on display throughout the city.

The Panhandle Plains Historical Museum is in Canyon, TX.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is in Oklahoma City, OK.
The Comanche National Museum is in Lawton, OK.

Answer: Oprah Winfrey

In 1996, Oprah hosted a show with Howard Lyman, a vegetarian activist, who warned viewers of a coming mad-cow disease epidemic in the US. Oprah responded on the air that Lyman's comments "just stopped me cold from eating another burger".
Local cattlemen sued Lyman, Oprah, and her production company for defamation and losses due to lower cattle prices caused by her malicious and irresponsible comments. The civil trial took place in Amarillo, and Oprah was acquitted.