Wanderlust World Wanderlust World - Built adobe homes to stay cool in the heat: thick walls keep the interiors cool
- Wore light-colored clothing to prevent heat and sweat absorption
- Planted heat-tolerant crops (cotton) or adapted plants to the local climate
Hot summers/ cold winters
- Used fireplaces/ woodstoves during cold weather in winter.
- Used swamp coolers, ceiling fans to improve airflow, porches, and breezeways.
Large open area/ vast grazing plains
- Developed ranching and became cowboys
- Fenced large acreages and developed the concept of "open range"
Scarce fresh water
- built reservoirs & water tanks that held rain and other natural resources, or dug water wells. (The Ogallala Aquifer)
- Water rights became critical issues for farmers and residents in this region (Water wars)
Diverse populations/ cultures and ethnicities.
- Influenced a variety of customs such as music, dancing, festivals, food culture (chili), Spanglish language, rodeos, and western fashion and clothing (boots, cowboy hats, jeans).