Why Texas is my new favorite state

Okay, that's kind of a lie. Alabama is and always will be my favorite state. But in terms of new favorite states, ones I've just discovered, Texas is at the top of the list. In fact, if Alabama closed and kicked everybody out, I'm almost certain I'd make Texas my new home. I made the trip to Texas last weekend to visit my longtime friend Neeley who moved there in May. I had never been to Texas before, and I certainly hope that this trip won't be my last. Loved. It.

Texas is my current favorite new state because...

1) It's hot. I mean really, really hot. Like open your oven up and stand in front of it hot. Not that I love heat. In fact, just the opposite...heat ain't my thing. I just think that everyone should have the opportunity to experience walking around outside in the blistering sunshine with temperatures pushing 110. It builds character. I'm glad I got to experience it once, and I'm thinking my next trip to Texas won't have anything to do with summertime.

2) Texas men dance...willingly. This is not something that happens with great regularity in Alabama, unless said men are a bit inebriated. Then it's a whole different ballgame. Neeley and her friend took me to a bar/dance hall where the Texas two-step was the name of the game. A nice gentleman asked me to dance and wasn't fazed when I expressed my utter lack of two-stepping experience. He was a good teacher and twirled me around and around (and around and around) until I felt sick. I'm told this is all part of the experience. A bit of nausea isn't a bad trade-off for a man who would be happy to take me dancing. Oh, and the place we visited had a sequin-covered saddle twirling from the ceiling like a disco ball. To say I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures is the understatement of the decade.

3) Cowboy hats, boots, cowboys, and cows are commonplace. Texas stars can be found on nearly every surface imaginable.

 

I'm a big fan of cowboy hats, boots, cowboys, cows, and stars. I fit right in...except for the two-stepping thing.

4) It's full of history and people are proud of it.

{Old Red Courthouse building as seen from Dealey Plaza}

{Old Red Courthouse}

{Neeley and me positively baking in the sun on the "Grassy Knoll"}

{the old Schoolbook Depository from which Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President Kennedy...I believe THE window is the top right one}

5. It's absolutely enormous. Huge! I know there is so much more to Texas than what I saw in Dallas, and it made me want to see it all. I love the history, the friendliness of the people, the wide open spaces...I'll be accepting donations for my Texas travel fund :)