An Unexpected Icon Was Just Spotted In Downtown Amarillo

There are some things that you see, smell, or hear that do a good job of reminding you that you are really in Lone Star State, Amarillo, Texas. Sometimes it's the sight of cowboys going down the street on horses, or sometimes it's the smell of cow manure that's blown in from Herford. But in this case, it's the iconic Panhandle tumbleweed, that looked to be on a mission.

A strange sighting occurred earlier today that was posted in a Facebook post that could only be described as "a real Texan thing". The picture captured a giant tumbleweed rolling through downtown Amarillo on what looks to be 7th Street.

Despite the fact that this photo looks like the set of a spaghetti western, the tumbleweed made its way through the streets, nonchalantly strolling through the streets of downtown Amarillo.

A Texan Christmas Tree?

Comments flooded in, with many other Facebook users sharing Christmas stories surrounding tumbleweeds.

Local businesses seized the opportunity to cash in on the unexpected celebrity. Tumbleweed-themed merchandise flooded the market, with T-shirts bearing slogans like "I survived the Amarillo Tumblegeddon" flying off the shelves.

Lisa Halford

As it turns out, tumbleweeds can actually make for some pretty budget-friendly Christmas Trees. It'd be a strange sight to see a just giant tumbleweed in someone's house, but add some ornaments to it, and voila, now you've got yourself a true Texan Christmas Tree.

So if you are trying to find a budget Christmas Tree, or simply want to try something different for once, just know that this giant tumbleweed just might be hanging around downtown.