midland, texas: the oil town that surprised me

so i landed in midland, texas, thinking i'd just pass through on my way to somewhere else. big mistake. this place has more character than my ex's spotify playlist. i checked the weather and it's 1.8°C right now, feels like your nose hairs are freezing mid-breathe. if you're into crisp air and blue skies, you'll love it. just don't forget your jacket unless you want to become a human popsicle.

first thing i did was hit up the petroleum museum because, well, oil is kinda the town's whole vibe. someone told me that the exhibits are cooler than they sound, and honestly, they weren't lying. i learned more about drilling rigs than i ever thought possible. if you're into history or just want to impress your friends with random oil facts, it's worth the stop.

for food, i hit up a local spot called *casa de amaré. i heard that their enchiladas are the stuff of legends, and yeah, they live up to the hype. the salsa had a kick that woke me up faster than my morning coffee. if you're feeling adventurous, try the brisket tacos. just don't blame me if you start dreaming about them later.

if you get bored, odessa is just a short drive away. i heard their globe of the great southwest is oddly mesmerizing. also, san angelo has some cute antique shops if you're into that sort of thing. but honestly, midland's got enough going on to keep you busy for a weekend.

i also stumbled upon this little coffee shop called wanderlust coffee co.*. the barista told me their cold brew is brewed with water from the ogallala aquifer. not sure if that's true, but it tasted like liquid gold. perfect for when you need a caffeine boost before hitting the road again.

midland's got this weird mix of old-school texas charm and modern energy boomtown vibes. it's not the kind of place you'd expect to fall in love with, but here we are. if you're road-tripping through west texas, don't skip it. you might just find yourself staying longer than planned.

p.s. if you're looking for more things to do, check out tripadvisor's midland page or yelp for local eats. happy travels!