Not to poke fun at the state, but I feel if your horizon is at the same level as you are, it could be hard to understand the size of things. Even if not, seeing the curvature of the Earth over water (see above re Dover and Calais, or any loch in the Great Glen)could give the impression that it is smaller than it actually is.

If you're speaking to me....I'm not from Texas, so you needn't worry. Where I live there is no horizon because there are too many trees! *grin* But since I've done a fair bit of traveling cross-country, I know just how big a horizon can be.......not that it applies in any way, shape or form to this debate!

I shall answer your (biggest) post soon.