Tuesday, July 19, 2011

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 :)

10 comments:

  1. Okay, you've convinced me....I kinda want to move there! So fun!

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  2. Sarah Barry, I'll move with you! It was so fun and I just fell in love with Texas. Such a laidback, friendly place. I'm thinking the state of Texas should pay me for this endorsement :)

    Thanks for dropping in, and try to stay COOL today!

    *Julie

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  3. Yay! I'm so, so glad you liked out great lone star state! You have an open invitation to visit the big city of Houston an time. March and April are very nice months to visit as are late October and November, too.
    Thanks for posting such great pictures and giving our state a nice "shout out"!
    Hugs
    ~a

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  4. Annesta, I just can't say enough good things about your fabulous state. I may shoot for one of the months you mentioned for my next trip...maybe spring break would work better. I just don't know if I can handle that much sweat again! Houston is on my list of places I want to visit now, so I may be showing up at your door someday soon :)

    Thanks for your comment, and happy Wednesday to you!

    *Julie

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  5. If you want to stay with a couple of "oldies" you are welcome to make this your base while you explore Houston. And seriously, spring break is a perfect time to visit.

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  6. I like your Texas post. Now I feel a little bit better about David considering a few of their residency programs. Afterall, Owen would look cute in a cowboy hat and I have always been a fan of the boots : )

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  7. Annesta, if I make it to Houston anytime soon, I will seriously let you know. What a sweet offer! When you find out what a goober I am, though, you may change your mind :) Thanks for being such a sweet friend, and I hope you enjoy your weekend!

    *Julie

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  8. Elizabeth, I'm glad this post gave you some hope :) I think you and David would love Texas. I can see Little Man in a cowboy hat now, and it's definitely a good look for him. I'm excited to see where David ends up doing his residency when the time comes around!

    *Julie

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  9. Fun! I've only ever been to the Houston area of Texas (besides the Dallas airport on a layover, or driving through Amarillo when Steve and I were moving from CA to TN). I think I definitely need to visit Texas again. And 107 degrees!! That's CA weather! Although, probably alot more humid!

    ~Joanna
    southerndaisy.com
    puresmoker.com

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  10. Joanna, I think you would really like Dallas. And hey, you'd be used to the heat! No prob for a California girl like you :)

    Thanks for dropping by!

    *Julie

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