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BS: What is Texas like?
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Subject: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 04 Mar 03 - 03:38 AM Hello. My good old chum I grew up with is moving to Texas... somewhere near the Mexico border. Now, she's invited me and me fella out there to visit. Though will probably have to be next year now. But what is Texas like? Do any of our American chums have any good websites they know of that will tell me... It's one part of the USA I've not been to yet, have always been to the East coast, or Florida, but so far not Texas. We want to plan a big holiday in the next year or two, but what are the top things to see and do in Texas/Mexico area, we'll probably hire a car, and we're not afraid to travel long distances. Any hints, tips, or ideas appreciated! Cheers Ella |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 04 Mar 03 - 03:39 AM Actually, this could also be a music thread... I'd like to know about any cracking music venues to go to too! |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Hrothgar Date: 04 Mar 03 - 04:45 AM I suppose this had to me up - two things are inevitable - death and Texas. p.s. Smaller than Alaska. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 04 Mar 03 - 05:50 AM WHAT????????????????????????????????? no help there what so ever.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: katlaughing Date: 04 Mar 03 - 05:50 AM Mudcatters Aine, Stilly River Sage, and Jed Marum all live there, Ella. I think there are one or two others who do, as well. Hrothgar, it might be smaller than Alaska, but we Coloradoans tell Texans, when they brag about its size, that if we flattened the Rockies, Colorado would be bigger, too!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 04 Mar 03 - 06:02 AM Oooo! Thanks Kat, I will hang out for a bit, they might see this and post, if not, I'll pm them... I'm more excited than my friend about her move - it means I get to visit her in anothe part of the country... Brill! Now, if I could just persuade her to move eventually to Canada, San Fran, New Orleans, Nova Scotia, Seattle and Boston... I'd be able to strike a couple more places on my wish list of places to go to... Ahh... I see Kat, it's a size thing... ;-) Ta! Ella |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Joe Offer Date: 04 Mar 03 - 06:29 AM The eastern part - Austin, the hill country, and south to San Antonio - are delightful. I lived in San Angelo in West Texas, and don't have much good to say about that part of the state. When we entered the state the first time, there was thousands of large, black things crawling across the roads - tarantulas. We saw only a few scorpions and didn't encounter rattlesnakes, so I guess we were lucky. There was an outbreak of mosquitos when we visited Houston, and they were innoculating all the school children. But we loved Austin and San Antonio. Galveston is interesting, too. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Willie-O Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:23 AM I visited Taxes once, (Dollars, Taxes, I got an uncle there. It's a Marx Brothers line.) and being Canadian, the climate terrain and to some extent the culture was radically different than what I'm used to. I spent a few days around Dallas then went to Kerrville for the Kerrville Folk Festival, in the beautiful Hill Country that Joe mentions. Things that really brought me up short:
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Amos Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:34 AM My exposure has convinced me that they have some of the biggest hearted folks int he world in Texas. They may have some other kinds as well, as I have been there only a couple of times. But I LUHUV the ones I've met. (That's a word you'll need to learn -- luhuv -- as in the sentence "Bidness is bidness and Luhuve is Bool sheet." A |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Allan C. Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:55 AM Yes, it is big. You can drive for three days at a leisurly pace and not ever see a border. It starts getting hot there in April and quickly deteriorates to "plumb mizzable" by late June. There is little relief until October. Nice place otherwise, filled with mighty friendly people. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: MMario Date: 04 Mar 03 - 09:00 AM Texas is big enough that *where* in Texas makes a pretty big difference - |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 04 Mar 03 - 09:52 AM Ella, this chum wouldn't happen to be Fibula (my first Santee which I still have a fondness for and like to keep up with)! I was born in Texas and lived there just long enough to be properly indoctrinated in how to be, shall we say, braggadocious. I have numerous relatives there that I still visit. One in particular, an 85-year-old uncle that lives in "The Valley" (southern Rio Grande area filled with retirees) that I love to trash talk with. If you'd like to see some of the Texas related webpages I made for birthday gifts for him, PM me and I'll send the URL. In short, like I told Fibula in a Texas thread last year, Texas is big, and Texas is hot. Take your time and experience the culture. Try the TexMex food in small dives. Read James Michenor's book, Texas. Watch the local TV programs and listen to local radio stations to get some "flavor." I like Lyle Lovett's song -- You ain't from Texas, but Texas'll take you anyhow! |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: katlaughing Date: 04 Mar 03 - 10:22 AM Oh, Mary! You just reminded me of another song, Tracey Grammar's Grand Prairie, Texas. I really like that one, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: mack/misophist Date: 04 Mar 03 - 11:41 AM Although all of Texas is hot, at least in the summer, the state contains 12 destinct geographical zones. In other words, there's something for everybody. The glaciers left behind underground ice so that some spring fed rivers, like the Frio in West Texas, can be frigid in the hottest summer. In 'The Valley', you can expect to see road signs in Spanish and English both. When I lived there there were miles and miles of citrus groves and cotton fields; probably plowed under now, for housing. Historically, the main cultures were Mexican, German, and Irish; though most traces of that are gone now. When I was a boy, there were still towns where almost every one spoke German or Czech. People are people everywhere. But in Texas, the ;Wild West' attitude and the love affair with guns can make things a little ancy sometimes. As a tourist, that won't affect you. Like everywhere else, it's both better and worse than every one says. Have a good time. One warning - deserts are an aquired taste and can be very dangerous. Stay on the road. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Willie-O Date: 04 Mar 03 - 12:31 PM I put heat at the top of the list. It gets full marks for that, no exaggeration is needed. (Ahem) The bigness is overrated. If Texas was a Canadian province, it would be only the fourth largest one, sixth if you count the huge territories of Northwest Territories and Nunavut, (and why not?) W-O |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Mar 03 - 12:55 PM That should have read that the Forest Service is mostly in east Texas. NPS is on both sides of the state, with not much of either agency in the middle. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Wesley S Date: 04 Mar 03 - 01:43 PM Ella - I loved what you said about "not being afraid to drive long distances". Well sugar - welcome to Texas. That's the only kind of drive we have. My suggestions while you are in the state - depending on the time of year - is to see San Antonio and Austin. SA has the Alamo of course, and some great Tex-Mex food. Austin has a great music scene and some great Tex-Mex food. If you are here about this time of year you can take in the North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas { where they have some great Tex-Mex food } and meet several Mudcatters who perform at the festival on a regular basis. Then, since you are close to Ft Worth when you are in Dallas, you owe it to yourself to come over here and check out our "northside" - the stockyards area and have some great Tex-Mex food. Can you see a pattern developing here ? Ft Worth also has some wonderful museums if you like art. Give us an idea when you'll be in the area and we can be more specific about things to do and see. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Rustic Rebel Date: 04 Mar 03 - 02:19 PM Artist Chris Rea Song Texas Warm winds blowing Heating blue sky And a road that goes forever Been thinking 'bout it lately Been watching some TV Been looking all around me At what has come to be Been talking to my neighbour And he agrees with me It's all gone crazy Well my wife returns from taking My little girl to school She's got beads of perspiration As she tries to keep her cool She says That mess it don't get no better There's gonna come a day Someone's gonna get killed out there And I turn to her and say Texas She says What? I said Texas She says What? They've got big long road out there Warm winds blowing Heating blue sky And a road that goes forever I'm going to Texas We got to get out of here We got to get out of here Well I got a little brother Several meters high Yea his built just like a quarterback And he swears he'll testify he says he's been to Texas And that's the only place to be Big stakes, big girls, no trouble there That's the place for me I'm going to Texas I'm going to Texas Watch me walking Watch me walking The Rio Grande River is down there too. And the Lake in Austin is a great place to go swim.(that's a huge man-made quarry) If your into rock hunting you can still find diamonds in Texas (Montgomery Co. and Foard Co.) Lots of petrified wood and agate. Also nice opal and turquoise. Peace. Rustic |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,MTed Date: 04 Mar 03 - 04:58 PM Part of the fun of Texas is reading about it, seeing movies about it, and listening to the music, all of which you can do before going--Listen to Bob Wills, Flacco Jimenez, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lightening Hopkins, watch Giant, The Last Picture Show and Red River, read something by Larry McMurtry---and when you rent your car, make sure it's a big one-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,sorefingers Date: 04 Mar 03 - 05:44 PM Hush up you guys, stop spoiling ma fun! (: |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,The Dreaded Guest Date: 04 Mar 03 - 05:59 PM Bring guns. Small caliber to settle small disputes over tipping percentages and such, and a twelve-gauge to lay across your dashboard so people will know you are capable of some serious philosophical discussion, should the need arise. Of course, if the discussion turns religious, expect to be outgunned by tanks taking aim at your compound. Watch Sergio Leone movies before you come, in order to learn proper gunfight ettiquette, and if you get lost, just walk up to the nearest rusted pickup and say to the tattooed man inside, "Excuse me, but I'm a yankee and I'm lost. Can you tell me where to go?" |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 04 Mar 03 - 06:43 PM Ah can tell you ain't from Texas -- but Texas'll take you anyhow! |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Bev and Jerry Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:01 PM Sam Hinton, who has been a folk musician for over sixty years, was brought up in Texas. He once told us, "Always marry a woman from Texas because, no matter what happens, she's seen worse". Bev and Jerry |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,sorefingers Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:16 PM Awe gee, can't you guys talk about ...ummm Arizona or Austria or even Wallyhood CA |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,The Dreaded Guest Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:37 PM The women in Texas are special. They put up with a lot from us. And I expect our range of feelings and attitudes varies, just like in any state or country. Lyle Lovett's attempt to reach a wider audience can be balanced by songs like one (I think it's by a guy named Steve Fromholz) about the prettiest sight in Texas being the south end of a north-bound U-haul on I-35. When in TX, avoid the large cities unless you need the reassuring presence of McDonald's and the national pizza chains. Small towns are nice...256? counties (I used to have them memorized), and each county seat has a unique courthouse. Nice hundred year old architecture mostly. We have most of our serial killers locked up...except for those we were able to trade to Washington DC for petroleum exemptions...so you can probably leave those guns at home. And if you want to visit a border town, I wouldn't recommend Laredo or Matamoros (sorry). A nice drive is west from San Antonio through Uvalde, etc...on to Del Rio. Ciudad Acuna has always been my favorite border town...just across the river...not too big. Beautiful drive too. Check out Garner Park and the spring-fed Frio and Nueces Rivers. Nice, nice country. And once you're in that area, Big Bend National Park might interest you. Kind of rugged, but if want the 'western experience' that's the area you should seek out. But I'd rather hear about Arizona and Austria, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,sorefingers Date: 04 Mar 03 - 09:35 PM Naw you don't get it Dreadedone, I don't want to share... greedy I guess... but thanx for the routes to check out. BTW Why is Laredo not popular?, seems to me it must draw lots of visitors. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 04 Mar 03 - 11:11 PM Laredo is for touristas. You can actually cross the Rio Grande at a point just west of McAllen (I think) by ferry. In Michener's book Texas he talks about the counties, and the courthouses, etc. some interesting tidbits. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Mar 03 - 11:45 PM The Fort Worth Stockyards are for tourists also--and for the dozen + years I've lived in town I've never managed to go there. I agree with what our Dreaded Guest has said. It's lovely out there by Rio Frio. At Garner State Park there is a pool in front of the old CCC lodge that is as green as koolaid, it is so clear and cold. And the rolling hills and red clay. . . a great drive is to go from Enchanted Rock (north of Fredericksburg, which is a wonderful little German town) down the back roads to Kerrville, then west along the Guadalupe. Head out from there to Uvalde and Utopia. Driving from Fort Stockton south is another interesting drive. Balmorhea (a huge natural spring, complete with desert pup fish) south toward Alpine and Big Bend takes you through the countryside of the Davis Mountains. I love all of that columnar basalt along the eroded valleys. McDonald Observatory is up there also. And there's Hueco Tanks (east of El Paso) then up to Guadalupe National Park and across the pass to Carlsbad. . . lots of really great drives. If you want to read a novel that captures life in a small Texas town, you might want to pick up McMurtry's The Last Picture Show and later drive up to Archer City to visit his huge used bookstore complex (takes up several buildings in "downtown" Archer City) called Booked Up. It's a couple of hours northwest of Fort Worth and is the place the fictional Thalia is modeled after. (And you'll find a real convincing reason why Laredo is a pretty smarmy place if you read The Last Picture Show). Actually, to get the grittiest feel for the landscape around here (and westward into New Mexico and Arizona and down into Mexico) you might want to pick up a copy of Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Mar 03 - 11:50 PM Photos of a few Texas County Courthouses. Texas County Courthouses (listed, dates, architects, etc.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,Dreaded Guest Date: 05 Mar 03 - 12:01 AM I should have known those would be on the web, Sage. Thanks for posting that. One of the nicest coffee table books I ever saw contained huge photos of each courthouse. And thanks for the 'Booked up' reference. I'll look at that if I'm ever up there. Did you ever visit...I think it was called Jenkins Books in Austin? On the interstate? OLD, collectible books. First editions of Huck Finn, things like that. Burned up in a fire...years ago. And are the stockyards really a tourist attraction? People PAY to see that stuff? Do you think I could sell pieces of the stockyard on eBay? |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Mar 03 - 01:00 AM I think the bar scene and restaurants of the Stockyards area along with the rodeo stuff are a big tourist attraction. I haven't been there, so I can't speak to more than that. You won't find me in cowboy boots boot scootin' either. (Give me a good Salty Dog Rag!) I've been to Archer City. Booked Up is and isn't organized; though books tend to be clustered together by type in various buildings, there are simply so many of them, so many duplicates, that they're arranged well on the main shelves, but then there are shelves around the rooms where the overflow goes. That leaves a lot of wiggle room for misfiling stuff. But it is interesting, and funny that after driving for 2 hours or more to get there, I run into friends from the university where I work. We should probably arrange a monthly shuttle. There is a book out listing all of the Texas Historic Markers. You'll find some information here. And from there you'll find a link to scenic shots. I'm not sure who sponsors that page (something called hkees.tripod.com). A more reliable source, if you dart quickly past the smiling visage of Rick Perry, is the official Texas Online Page. So where in Texas are you, Dreaded Guest? SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,Dreaded Guest Date: 05 Mar 03 - 01:34 AM Central Texas. Hill Country. Bluebonnets should be out soon. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Lin in Kansas Date: 05 Mar 03 - 03:27 AM Yes, Texas is BIG. I was born and lived for my first 18 years in Texas, have family still living there, and consider it my home state; yet I've never been further south than Dallas/Ft. Worth/Denton or further west than the top of Arizona. I grew up in the Panhandle, (right on historic Highway 60) which is kinda its own little world. I was disappointed that the courthouse website didn't have Lipscomb County, built in 1917. Lots of friendly people. Lots of narrowmindedness, too. Even though I love my state, I have a hard time with attitudes there sometimes after 30 years in Washington state. Opinionated? Texans? Are you nuts? Just try not to argue with the cowboy types, they usually don't have a lot of patience with "furriners" (anyone not from Texas). Lin But go. Enjoy |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 05 Mar 03 - 03:37 AM WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I leave work, go home feed the fella, the cat and go out and teach music, then to bed, then back into work and..... a huge proliferation of ideas, hints tips and things to see. This is great, thank you all so much, loads to work from here. I'll be wading through all the links at lunchtime - all interesting stuff! And, 'the dreaded guest', I'm not as green as I am grass looking (UK saying for I'm not stupid). And I'm going to ignore any of your hints about going up to a tatooed man and telling him I'm a yankee, a for the obvious, and b, because I'm Welsh, and c you are trying to get me in the horse pucky! I've been to a fair few dodgy places so far, to be able to handle myself and the situations (steer clear is my fave advice). But you did come up with some handy ideas too - so thanks! Oh, and I've been to Austria, nice place - lots of hills and green! Stilly river stage, some fab links there and history too - I'll enjoy looking through these. Do you work in a state park? I'd probably like to go to one, I love being outdoors - despite the warning of fire ants and spiders.... big gulp! Joe, thanks for your description of the spiders - you hit me at my weakest point - I must say your description of tarantulas has freaked me a bit, I don't do 'Spiders' in the UK... and tarantulas are bigger (much much) than our spiders here, which are big enough for me anyway. So I may have to come armed with a big shoe, a loud hailer so everyone hears my screams. I don't think my 'Bug catcha' I bought to humanely dispose of pesky house spiders would fit a tarantula, I may have to order a bigger one. Wesley - I've driven accross South Africa last year, from Botswana down to Cape Town - did it in two days on the way down and in 15 hours on the way back. So, no skin off my nose - and it was an experience - roads you could see for miles, with only sand, bushes, scrub land and the odd ostrich, springbok and other animals to spot on our way past. And I love art - so museums and such a big yes! Mary in Kentucky.... No, it's not Fib, it's a school friend I grew up with - a fellow Welsh lass. Who moved to Washington about 10 years ago, and now is moving down to Texas. She is a good friend, who first of all took settling down in the USA very hard, but now loves it there - though we all miss her dreadfully. OH... me fella has it in his head to go out on a ranch and do a bit of horse riding... which would be a fun thing for me - as he's never been horse riding, it's me that does that over in the UK - though not very often. I keep trying to tell him how sore he'll be after one hour horse riding, but uh no! The main things I'd like to see, are the natural wonders/places and countryside... I like towns, but prefer the country and getting out and about. Right, I'd better go do some work... Thanks you lot for some wonderful ideas... I know that if and when I do come to visit Texas, I'll probably be asked a lot about my accent. When I did the East coast I was constantly asked about it - talk about sticking out like a sore thumb! cheers - what a great resource! Ella |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: JohnInKansas Date: 05 Mar 03 - 05:47 AM Ella - I'd assume that the horse riding you've done was with "English tack." In the Texas cow country they use a 40 pound saddle that's like sitting in a rocking chair. You'll want to try it, just to see what a comfort it is. And don't worry too much about the tarantulas. They don't come out much in the heat of the day. But I'm surprised noone mentioned the several kinds of sandburs. John |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 05 Mar 03 - 06:01 AM yes, with English tack... I've seen 'your' version of a saddle, and it looks comfy! Sounds fab! erm....what's a sandbur... and do I need to modify my 'bug catcha' to suit? Or is panic and run a better option? Loud hailer fast becoming an option... Ella |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: ard mhacha Date: 05 Mar 03 - 07:10 AM I remember watcning the British Open Golf Championship on BBC TV quite a few years ago. Mark McCormack [US] was complaining to fellow Commentator Peter Alliss about the wet weather, Alliss remarked, how could any one complain about the British weather after coming from a tournament in Texas the previous week. Aliss described the Texas weather as "good preparation for Hell". Ard Mhacha. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Teribus Date: 05 Mar 03 - 08:24 AM Ella - Ask Bobert about Texas - he's an authority on it |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Mar 03 - 12:23 PM That's a tough move, from Washington State to South Texas. Not just culture shock, but a real shift in temperature, humidity, and aspect. No mountains to hold up the horizon. The spiders migrate most conspicuously in the fall, October or November, and it isn't everywhere. I've lived in Texas since 1982 and I can count on one hand the number of tarantulas I've come eyeball to eyeball with. Those crossing the road we just try to miss, and I haven't kept count, but there aren't that many. I don't know what your "bug gotcha" or "loud hailer" are about--can you explain? We have a lot of Non-venomous snakes, and lots of venomous snakes as well. Here is the complete Google search I did for you. I'm not a ranger now, but I was for many years, and (Dreaded Guest) I lived in Central Texas (Temple) and worked for the Corps of Engineers at Belton and Stillhouse Hollow lakes as a naturalist when I first moved down here. Later I wrote for the Belton Journal, all of these are in Bell County. The first ever state park in Texas is west of Temple in Coryell County, a pretty little area on the Lake Belton called Mother Neff State Park. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,Dreaded Guest Date: 05 Mar 03 - 02:17 PM Oh yeah...scorpions and snakes. Always empty your shoes each morning when in Texas. A scorpion in the toe of your boot may get you going better than a cup of coffee, but it's not as enjoyable. So always check your shoes, even in seemingly sealed environments. Sounds like you've been around, Sage. Good for you. Sounds like you've been around Texas, too, so I'm sure you're up to speed on the geographical diversity. That's what seems to surprise people most when they visit TX. The flat, dusty panhandle to the bayou-like pine and swamps of east TX. Gulf coast ocean and desert mountains and hills and grassland prairies. A real diversity. Modern cities, too, which surprises a lot of people. Lots of water, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Mar 03 - 03:14 PM I did some research for an article up in Amarillo, to do with the Alibates Flint Quarries. The human history in Texas is as ancient as anywhere, and the geological history is quite interesting as well. I just wish it wasn't so hot and the tornadoes weren't here! I live on a half-acre on a creek in a large urban area, and what escapes a lot of people is that nature doesn't stop at the city limits. Neighbors look askance at us when we say we don't want to spray around the house to kill spiders because it will also kill our house geckos and toads and snakes--to say nothing of the spiders. One thing about having such a reptilian population, we DON'T have a problem with roaches and such! We will relocate any poisonous snakes, but so far we haven't met any. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: JohnInKansas Date: 05 Mar 03 - 05:00 PM With the banning of so many of the old nasty pesticides, the pest control people around my area have admitted that the only way they can get rid of spiders is to get them drunk enough that they'll follow 'em to the truck for another shot. Sandburs are a "weed" whose seed is contained in a small "burr." They spread by latching onto (or into) passing animals. There are actually several kinds, with each area having a particular favorite. The important thing to note is that if "nature calls" somewhere out in the country, be very careful about where you walk "off the road," or you're likely to come back to your vehicle covered with little "sticky things" that will continue to migrate around to cause "discomfort." And be very careful about where you let "city dogs" or other pets roam. Sandals are only safe in paved-over cities in Texas - or maybe in a well cared-for lawn known to have been cleared of them. Even the middle of back area sand/gravel roads can sport a crop of them. John |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Mar 03 - 05:22 PM Well Ella, you got some good tips here. I used to be in Texas about every two weeks for about five years and I'm loaded with crude Texican jokes which I won't use. Instead, let me give you a tip that a native Texan gave me. He said, "Keep the tops of your boots (or shoes) in the shade." Now you can laugh that one off but it's the gospel truth! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Mrrzy Date: 05 Mar 03 - 09:43 PM I drove lengthwise across Texas one summer, it was wild and it was wooly and its grey was inordinate, and it danced on an outcrop in the middle of anywhere you went. It's so big it isn't an It, it's a They - here isn't there, in Texas. However, the Mrrzybrood may be heading over to the Houston area for "vacation" if there is one this summer, whazzup folkies there? |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ebbie Date: 05 Mar 03 - 10:33 PM I have been known to tell a Texan that if s/he is upset that they are no longer Number One in size, it could be worse: if Alaska were to divide into two, Texas would then be Number Three... Years ago- many years ago- when I lived at the Oregon Coast, a Texan had one of the cheapest gas stations around. He sold gas at $.17 a gallon (yes, 17 cents- I said it was a long time ago.) when most people were charging 23 cents. Coastal air tends to be crisp and bracing and one day he threw back his shoulders, filled his lungs with a deep breath and exhaled in satisfaction. "Whoooeeee!" he said, "if I'da done that in Texas I'da smothered to death." |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Mar 03 - 11:56 PM John is right about those burrs--there are some I got into by accident down at Galveston State Park that were horrible--they draw blood, and I got them on my shoes right before climbing into the tent. Fortunately we discovered them and were able to keep our feet outside until every last one of the nasty things had been picked off. Down here you don't want to go hanging out in cedar breaks (clusters of trees, a lot of them juniper, called "cedar" locally). Ticks get in the juniper and drop down on any warm bodies that pass underneath. You have to watch it when walking around in tall brush and along rivers--snakes have been mentioned here before. There is a high incidence of rabies in the state, and the fish and game folks drop chunks of meat with rabies innoculations in them for the coyotes and skunks and such to eat in areas when it gets really high. So if you travel with a dog, don't let it run and tangle with the local wildlife. Texas has some pretty good barbecue. If you're going to be travelling in Central Texas, there are several restaurants owned by the various Mikeska brothers. The one that by far surpasses the rest is the one run by Clem Mikeska in Temple. It's right off of I-35 in the middle of town. The best smoked salmon in Texas is at my house--but you have to call ahead to find out if I'm home and if I have a batch around. It depends on the availablity of good fish. (A little bit of Washington down here in Texas). SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: JohnInKansas Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:25 AM Them ticks is one of the side benefits of bein' in Texas. They like to crawl into little creases and crevices, hide in your hairline, and such, and generally favor the "warmest" parts of the host body; so (with a compatible partner) it's a good idea to always conduct a full body search of each other every night before beddin' down. (Actually not a bad idea in several states.) John |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 06 Mar 03 - 04:33 AM yikes! Ticks - I'm only ever used to de ticking my cat! A Bug Catcha - It's a litte gadget I bought to catch creepy crawlies in my house and then to be able to chuck them out side. (At the bottom of the garden). It's on a long stick, has a plastic box on the end with a sliding trap door, which you place over the spider and then slip the door over. And then it's enclosed until you can dump it outside. (Loud hailer - so people can hear my screams better). Actually, if they keep away cockroaches, I'm starting to like the sound of them..... Cheers every one.... And Spaw... trust you to have the dirty songs! Ella |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Mar 03 - 01:38 PM Texan came over to Scotland on vacation last year, and got talking to a local crofter who farms about 33 acres. Texan said, my spreads bigger'n yourn, why if I get in my car, and drive for a whole day, I still can't reach the next door ranch. Yes said the crofter, I've got a car like that too. Giok |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ebbie Date: 06 Mar 03 - 09:15 PM Regarding the BIG Texan, they say that if you stuck a pin in him, he'd be the same size as anyone else. :) |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: DougR Date: 07 Mar 03 - 05:57 PM I was born and reared in Texas. I left the state when I was 29 years old, and I never had a scorpion find a home in one of my shoes, cannot recall seeing many tarantulas, and very few rattlesnakes. Some parts of Texas are beautiful try central Texas for example (Bosque County in particular), some of it is average, and some of it is God awful. Example: it is said that if the Devil wanted to give the world an enima, he would give it in Odessa, Texas. DougR |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Ebbie Date: 07 Mar 03 - 06:01 PM Gads. Let's stay out of Odessa for the next few months... |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: GUEST,Dreaded Guest Date: 07 Mar 03 - 06:04 PM Just because Doug got 'reared' there and now is fixated on enemas doesn't make it a bad place. Midland, where Laura Bush killed her first boyfriend, is near there. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: DougR Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:27 PM Probably less than forty miles apart, Odessa and Midland, DG. I hope the first boyfriend passed peacefully. DougR |
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Subject: RE: BS: What is Texas like? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:40 PM Groan. I don't know that story, but the lead-in indicates that if Dreaded Guest tells it, it'll be pretty yellow. (I heartily dislike Dubya, so that isn't the reason I groaned). Find a link, perhaps? There are many places I've lived over the years, quite a few in Texas, but also in Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, and New York. Work as a seasonal park naturalist is one way to see the some of the better parts of many different places over time. A couple of hints: anyplace looks more interesting close up than from a car (there are exceptions to this, and I'm not generalizing to the degree that dumps or marginalized ghettos become sunny places). If you find yourself in a place that is new, and you have the time to take a walk, take the walk. An example comes from the first place I tested this theory: I worked at North Cascades National Park in Marblemount, Washington a long time ago. The park headquarters is a mile back from the highway along a nondescript little 1 1/2 lane road. As an experiment to test this theory, one day I walked out to the highway along the road I usually drove. Amazing the stuff I saw! Wildlife and flowers in the roadside ditches, the way driveways were constructed, leading up to houses with little interesting features, gardens, pastures, horses, hobbies I didn't have time to see when I drove past, lots of birds, just the feel of the road was nice. It's hard to set aside the comparisons (I've struggled with that ever since I left Washington, which I still think is one of the most beautiful places in the nation to live), but if you can, you'll see a lot worth seeing. I took a walk like this with my kids just recently, through a greenbelt that starts across the street from us. We only walked the equivalent of about a half mile, but they were astonished to see all of the neat geological and botanical features that are very close to the house. I agree with DougR (for once!). We haven't experienced the annecdotal scorpions in shoes and snakes under the furniture. We've seen some of these animals, but not regularly, and except for geckos and the one tarantula, not in the house. Like horny toads, they're kind of rare around here. That doesn't mean we assume there are none here. We know that living next to the water we're more likely to have critters come through the house as go around it. Frankly, it's part of the reason we enjoy living here--so we might see some of what lives in the area. SRS |