My first exposure to Texas came many years ago from hundred of miles away.

“Free 72oz Steak Dinner” The Big Texan.
Amarillo, Texas.

Maybe things have changed since then but driving east on I-40, I could smell Amarillo long before I got there. On the other hand, “The Big Texan” was never a disappointment especially if you stopped there during the Christmas holiday season.

You have not been holiday entertained until you have heard “White Christmas” done Texas Country Style.

A recent trip to Houston and Dallas reminded of all the good times I have had in “The Lone Star State”, a few of them I think are worth sharing. Maybe you have a few Texas Tales of your own that you can share with us or maybe even make into a country song.

“All my ex's live in …. “

Texas, Getting The Boot

Now I reckon although there are some mighty fine people in Texas, here are some things you might want to know about “The Lone Star State”.

1) The capital of Texas is not Dallas or Houston. It's Austin.
2) For a True Texan wearing a pair of jeans without holes in it is dressing up.
3) For a True Texan there's no such thing as “Cowboy Boots”. They are just boots.

So if you plan on visiting “God's Country”, DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS or you just might get the boot like a couple of Cleveland Indians did in Arlington, Deep In The Heart Of Texas.


Video:http://youtu.be/RV7v0G54eJ0

Stereotypes, nonsense, and rubbish. A fine combination.

BigRuss,

I don't know what you think is stereotyping, nonsense or rubbish.

All I know about Texas comes from the likes of George Strait (Amarillo By Morning), Randy Travis, and June Hershey.

In case you missed it, there is such a thing as humor and you are mistaken if you think I do not know that capital of Texas is Abilene

Longhorns, True Cowboys And Ribs

Few things symbolize Texas more than “Cowboys And Steers”.

Real “Cowboys”, ones in Wranglers and Ropers not Spandex and Nikes. Men that can wrestle a thousand plus pound animal to ground better than any 300lb defensive tackle ever could.

I get to experience a bit this part of Texas during my brief visit to the Fort Worth Stock Yards, less than an hour's drive from about anywhere in Dallas. Here you can find The Cowboy Museum where on the outside wall is posted a quote concerning the Texans role as cowboys from President Theodore Roosevelt (1885).

“They are fearless... being unequaled in trying times … excelled only by the Mexicans.”

At 4pm, there is a little action up the street as a crowd waits to witness a daily tradition that has been going on here since the late 1990's. With strategically placed cowboys on horseback, the twice daily parade of Texas Longhorns begins towards The Fort Worth Stockyard Exchange.

These are some beautiful animals, with curved and twisted horns than span at least four feet tip to tip.

As the tail end of the herd goes by, one or two of them decide to leave a few presents behind for us. Although I am hungry, I don't find their “Road Apples” all that appealing.

Instead, with a worked up appetite, I end up at Riscky's Barbeque where for $9.95 I can have all I can eat of their famous beef ribs. Along with red beans, Texas toast, a Polish pickle and a Texas size Shiner Bock, I am ready to chow down.

Filled from Riscky's ribs, I take a stroll toward The Texas Coliseum, birthplace of the modern indoor rodeo. A place visited by Governors and Presidents through out its history. At the right time of the year, a place that I am sure would be lots of fun, at least 8 seconds or so at a time.


Video:http://youtu.be/8UY83mLlOlY

DMB - you're right on all accounts!!!

jill-h

Thanks, I knew I was right about Abilene