sweeetwater

.: Archives :.

.: Categories :.

Wind Energy Beauty

Posted By margaret on January 10, 2012

If you haven’t seen a wind turbine farm in action you’re in for a treat. Actually, watching them in person is really awesome. I suppose some people don’t think they add to the ambiance of the landscape, but I disagree.

They are beautiful and majestic; however, I don’t live by one and have no idea if they are noisy!

We were passing through Sweetwater, Texas and came upon hundreds and hundreds of wind turbines as far as they eye could see. This short video was taken from a cell phone as we passed along one area of “The Wind Energy Capital of Texas”.

Sweetwater is in Nolan County, and boasts the largest wind farms in America. Imagine our surprise in driving along and encountering them on both sides of the road. We saw remnants of cotton fields at the base of the turbines, so I’m guessing they enjoy the view as they plant the crops.

Sweetwater began as a railroad town and has grown into a wind-generating area, like no other. And, by the way, they host the world’s largest rattlesnake roundup each year.

In researching Sweetwater, I came across this from Wikipedia:

At Sweetwater during World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were trained under the direction of the famed aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran at Sweetwater’s Avenger Field. These WASP’s were the first women to fly America’s military aircraft. The military airstrip closed abruptly at the end of the war, but pilots flying over Sweetwater can still land at Avenger Field – the Sweetwater Airport (SWW). The National WASP WWII Museum is located at Avenger Field in Sweetwater.[6] The WASP women were not recognized for having served in the armed forces until 1977, when U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona and Colonel Bruce Arnold, late son of General Hap Arnold, persisted in obtaining their official recognition as military veterans.

“Move over oil, there’s money in Texas wind”
NY Times