Together with the nearby Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is far removed from most other natural attractions of the Southwest. The nearest cities are El Paso (110 miles) or Carlsbad (55 miles). The park contains the southern end of the Guadalupe Mountains, an isolated range surrounded in all directions by desert, and few people visit, due perhaps also to the lack of a central attraction, a scenic drive or named viewpoints. Guadalupe is primarily a park for hiking; there is a network of trails and the region has varied climate zones with differing wildlife and vegetation, interesting geology, and many photographic opportunities. As an added attraction, at the end of summer the red, gold and orange colors of the foliage in some of the canyons creates for a spectacle as good as that in New England.

If you are a snowbird from the North, you will absolutely love Texas. Come on down and spend a while in the nice, mild climate in Texas.
If you are looking for a place to retire, you will definitely want to look at Texas. Experience the large variety of wildlife and beautiful lakes, rivers and scenery in Texas.

The prices in Texas are reasonable. Texas is not one of those tourist states that takes advantage of the tourists. The people in Texas are friendly. You have heard of Southern Hospitality? You will be treated well in Texas. You will feel very welcome in Texas.

Ward County is on the southwestern edge of the High Plains region of southwest Texas. The center of the county is at 31 32' north latitude and 103 07' west longitude, near the community of Pyote. Monahans, the county seat, is in the northeastern corner of Ward County at the intersection of Interstate Highway 20 and Farm Road 18, thirty-three miles southwest of Odessa on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The area was named for Thomas W. Ward. Ward County covers 539,460 acres, or 836 square miles, of generally level land; elevations range from 2,400 to 2,800 feet above sea level. Large areas in north Ward County are composed of active, windblown sand dunes, subject to wind erosion and sediment transport. This area has scattered oak groves and a number of sections commonly barren except for grasses and nongrassy herbs, the abundance of which depends on rainfall. Along the Pecos River in the south and west are areas of alluvial fans composed of sand, gravel, and mud substrate. Scrub brush and sparse grasses grow in this part of the county. Near the towns of Grandfalls and Royalty are areas of caliche with bedrock and alluvial material in the substrate. Scrub brush, sparse grasses, creosote bush, and cactiqv grow in the shallow, stony soils. Less than 1 percent of Ward County is considered prime farmland. The Pecos River is the only continuous flowing source of surface water in the area; the average annual rainfall is twelve inches. Temperatures in Ward County range from an average low of 29 F in January to an average high of 98 F in July. The average growing season lasts 223 days. The production of petroleum and natural gas are quite important to the economy.

Ward County, TX hosts 836 acres in the high plains of west Texas, is comprised of drifting sand dunes, grass land, and the largest oak forest on earth. The trees live on 40,000 acres in Sandhills State Park, which also boasts 4,000 acres of sand dunes. Towns in Ward County include Grandfalls, Pyote, Wickett and Monahans, the county seat. Temperatures average from 29 degrees in January to 98 degrees in July. The county and surrounding cities have low crime rates, an ample water supply, quality education system, a well maintained infrastructure, a beautiful golf course, and a private airport.