Why would you ever want to? When we think back to our Texas trip, it brings back images of finger-lickin’ good barbecues and fascinating historical sites. It also reminds us of the cowboy boots of Texas, where we learned how to say “Y’all.” Texas is not just about old western movies or rolling tumbleweeds. While there are still cacti and rolling tumbleweeds in Texas, the diversity of its landscape is impressive with its rugged desert, wide open spaces, and picturesque coastline stretching over 600 kilometres along the Gulf of Mexico.

The Indian word Tejas means “friend”, and the name Texas comes from the Indian word “Tejas” . It certainly describes our encounters with friendly people while traveling through Texas’ Lone Star State. The fascinating mix of English & Spanish is fascinating. No matter where you travel, everyone is friendly and helpful.

Texas, Mexico was part and parcel of the Spanish empire for over 100 year. This is why Texas has Spanish architecture, Mexican food and special fiestas. It was admitted to the United States in 1845. But it faced many challenges, such as the defeat by the Alamo Mission. The state remained independent for nearly 10 years before becoming a part of the United States. It is America’s 2nd-largest state. It spans over 1,240 km in the east and 1,290 km in the south.

Every major city has something for visitors, be it San Antonio’s Riverwalk and Alamo Mission, Austin’s State Capital Building and Lyndon Baines Johnson Library or Museum. The public is welcome to take photos at all these locations. There are many photo opportunities. You can also leave a donation for those who ask. It’s worthwhile.

Houston, Texas has the most populous city with over 2 million inhabitants. Although Houston is a large city, it is very accessible. There are many places to visit in Texas. Dallas boasts that it is a shopping destination and Highland Park Village, America’s oldest shopping center, is a major draw. Dallas’ light rail system, DART (the light rail), makes it very easy to move around and explore all that Dallas has to provide. Galveston Island’s deep-sea fishing is very popular. Galveston also has the Lone Star Flight Museum (and Texas Hall of Fame) which are both extremely interesting.

Texas has a variety of special events each month. These include livestock shows as well as Land of Leather Days (Mardi Gras), Land of Leather Days (Barbecue Festivals), Polka Festivals and an old-fashioned Shivaree. It doesn’t matter what month it is, there are always amazing things to see and do.

It’s all a matter of the food. Texas barbecue is the perfect example of true barbecue. It brought back the memories of the sweet, hickory-smoked smells that wafted through our air as they enticed us to stop at any number barbecue restaurants. My palate still remembers the rich sauce that lavishly covered the feast of ribs. It’s impossible not to leave the restaurant full because there’s so much food.

We waited in the Home Depot garden center in Humble Texas, trying to avoid a torrential storm. After we told her that we were from Canada, the young clerk smiled and tried to teach our pronunciation of “Y’all”. She told us, “You can’t leave Texas until it is easy to say it.” It was something she loved and practiced to her satisfaction. She was proud of it when it stopped raining. While it’s obvious that they are welcoming and friendly, it is a skill that takes practice.