So... my daughter seems to be obsessed with Texas.
Ever since she was about 3 years old, she talks about it all the time. I have no idea what it is about Texas that she seems to like so much, she's never been there. She keeps saying that that is where she wants us to go for vacation. She tells me at least once a week that when she becomes an adult, she wants to move to Texas (for reference, she's 5 right now). She was telling me the other day how one of her substitute teachers in kindergarten used to live in Texas and she has an accent, and that she used to be a cowgirl (she told me this very excitedly). I've been trying to get her interested in going to Maine to see Acadia National Park (and have some Lobster with Steve), but she just keeps telling me she wants Texas.
So, I'm thinking that just for fun, if I was to plan a trip to Texas, where would YOU go? The place is huge, obviously... I've been to Plano, Addison, Dallas, etc... but only for work, so I've never really spent much time doing anything there. If I was going to drive from Florida (and see some stuff on the way)... how far down and where in Texas would YOU go?
I've been through Dallas and San Antonio. Have met a few people from the Dallas area that have told me its not a bad place. San Antonio would be where I'd go if I were going to vacation though. More tourist-y from what I gather, what with the River Walk, the Alamo, etc...
Its hot as blazes down there, even in the winter months (I was there from late January to early March and it was 80+ degrees outside, worse on the tarmac).
Depends--when? Why? * (It makes a huge difference)
Some of my kids and the grandkids came from Tenn to visit for 2 weeks at the height of the 2011 drought--mid July--temp averaged 103F every day. They haven't been back. You want her to see the real Texas or the stereotype Texas? Break the bubble her "obsession"--or reinforce it? If the latter--a visit to Kingsville in the early Spring or mid Fall is in order, or the legendary 6666 Ranch out near Lubbock.
I lived in Amarillo for a few months and really enjoyed it. That's cattle country ! The people and the environment just make you feel good . I didn't worry too much when anyone told me something because I could tell they were honest and sincere. Everything was clean with plenty of fresh air, blue sky and sunshine. People were very neighborly and the music is easy to get used to.
Now contrast that with southern california which is an over-crowded, expensive, dirty 3rd world country where you either doubt EVERYTHING or get hurt or killed. Take Texas every time
[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 09-11-2014).]
Hahah, thanks guys... I'm definitely looking to see the country / western aspect of it. Come to think of it though, I'd like to see the Alamo too.
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Originally posted by maryjane:
You want her to see the real Texas or the stereotype Texas? Break the bubble her "obsession"--or reinforce it? If the latter--a visit to Kingsville in the early Spring or mid Fall is in order, or the legendary 6666 Ranch out near Lubbock.
I definitely do not want to break her bubble... but she's almost excited about Texas as she is My Little Pony (and that's saying a lot). Her favorite pony is Apple Jack (the country one that farms apples and talks with an accent). That King Ranch one looks awesome... I swear I've seen that on the side of a Ford F-250 Pickup!
Amarillo is nice--Palo Duro Canyon is a must see in that area.
I like Corpus Christi as well--lots to see and do for both adults and children.
When I have out of state isitors, I learned many years ago not to take them to any metropolitan area--especially if they have kids along. I've been around the world, and as far as big cities go--You see one city, you've pretty much seen them all. I take them to see and DO things they DON'T have in their own backyards.
You can make points with your wife with the sunset horseback ride on Padre Island. There were plenty of young kids along that evening as well as us old folks. http://www.horsesonthebeachcorpus.com/
Yes, there is a King Ranch edition pickup--runnin w brand as the logo. They ain't cheap tho.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 09-11-2014).]
Its not exactly on the way to Texas but I would take her to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge Tennessee. We took both our daughters when they were kids and we all had a good time and prices are reasonable.
Born and raised in Texas. Love it there and I've been everywhere in Texas. You name it and I've been there.
And I'll be in Houston all next week. I love Houston. Dallas/Ft.Worth is great, Austin is beautiful, San Antone is sweet, Pan Handle, West Texas desert, the Gulf, the Valley or where ever. It's a great place. It may not be very scenic in a lot of places, but the people and places feel very comfortable to me.
I lived in El Paso for three years when I was a kid, it was OK, the western part of the state is definitely more the stereotypical 'Texas' she wants to see.
I went back to El Paso on business in January for the first time in 20 years, and it hasn't changed much.
I lived in El Paso for three years when I was a kid, it was OK, the western part of the state is definitely more the stereotypical 'Texas' she wants to see.
I went back to El Paso on business in January for the first time in 20 years, and it hasn't changed much.
For those who haven't been there, Southern Texas is not all that different from the West part of the state--except there aren't as many hills in the south.
I would also vote for San Antonio. Can't go wrong with the Alamo (it's smaller than you think)
Amarillo is neat too. I like Cadillac Ranch. Bottom line there is lots of interesting places to go and things to do in all the big parts of Texas. Houston is probably the least tourist friendly, IMO.
The coast is fun, but it's not "pretty" beaches until you get closer to Mexico. Galveston has lots of neat touristy things, it the beaches suck, especially during seaweed season
Flew down and drove a car back for a friend in the mid 70s, only thing I liked was the drive threw package stores. Hell I couldn't understand a dam word most of the locals said when I talked to them. Still have a hard time when Cliff or others from there have called me at different times, hell most times I just handed the phone to my interpreter, they talk funny down there.
But as far as what to see I got nothing, I got the hell out of there as fast as I could, being a Yankee and driving a TA of a friends, and a black one at that without a cowboy hat all I wanted to do was get the hell out of there. I figured they would hang me if I ever got stopped in a black trans am with Texas plates and a Massachusetts drivers license.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 09-11-2014).]
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: So... my daughter seems to be obsessed with Texas.
Ever since she was about 3 years old, she talks about it all the time. I have no idea what it is about Texas that she seems to like so much, she's never been there. She keeps saying that that is where she wants us to go for vacation. She tells me at least once a week that when she becomes an adult, she wants to move to Texas (for reference, she's 5 right now). She was telling me the other day how one of her substitute teachers in kindergarten used to live in Texas and she has an accent, and thatshe used to be a cowgirl(she told me this very excitedly).
Is this her ...
Five years old. Okay, my thoughts. She wants to go to Texas. I don't think you can interest her in Maine. Perhaps so, but I don't think she would fully appreciate it. She wants to go to Texas. This is your chance to rock her world. I don't think she would appreciate Houston or the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex either. In Houston, NASA would be the coolest thing perhaps for her. The best thing is the San Jacinto monument on the battle ground where Texas defeated Santa Anna and won independence. A sacred site. The battleship Texas is also there. Dallas/Ft Worth ? Six Flags (of Texas) amusement park and Cowboy football stadium. As maryjane mentioned, both big cities like elsewhere. San Antonio is also a big city but it is a tourist meca, ripe with history. Again, I think she may be to young to appreciate the history. The Alamo is very worth seeing but is just one of five missions, all restored, all American National Historic entities. There is a road, Mission Road, which takes you to all of them. San Antonio also has a Six Flags and also a Sea World. A reason you might choose to visit San Antonio is that it is also in close proximity to many 'dude ranches'. Your daughter could experience "being a cowgirl". You would rock her world. I also have to say that ... as maryjane says, even though west Texas and south Texas are the same scenic wise, scrub brush mesquite bushes (with the exception of a more hilly area in west Texas), the Big Bend area is something to behold. It is also an American National Park. A site to behold. I would expect 'dude ranches' to be there also but I don't think so. Let me leave you with this ... I could tell you what like about Texas but we would be here all night long.
Let me know when you will get here. We can go out cattle rustling together.
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Originally posted by Boondawg: You know, growing up (I was born in 1960), I never wanted to be a Cowboy, & we never played Cowboys & Indians. We always played War.
I always am saddened when I hear the plight of deprived souls. You never had a set of 'rootin' tootin' Roy Roger six shooters with holsters, ? Just so you know, while growing up, in Texas (born in '59), I never played Cowboys and Indians either. It was the times. We always played Cowboys and Cowgirls, . I kid but a true story ... Once, a few of us went on a triple date. To a Cowboy (country and western bar) watering hole, live music, etc. I went in but came back out and sat in the car listening to rock-n-roll. The other guys soon also came out and we went cruising, coming back later to pick up the gals. It started as a short trip to get high, but we got stoned/lost. I am a dummy. It took me a long time to realize that cowgirls are hot, . We also were probably lucky we didn't lose our girlfriends, .
The Big Bend area is also home to the Ft McDonald observatory. I think the second best observatory in the US, perhaps the first. Your daughter would love that.
I would think if you drove from Florida you could hit a lot of what Texas has to offer. You could see East and then down by the coast and then head for the hill country. I wouldn`t go much further than San Antonio as West of that gets pretty barren, dry and kind of scrubby. There is a lot around Austin but these days the city is somewhat of a nightmare to drive in, even during the middle of the day. Even though it`s a main artery avoid IH35 if at all possible through Austin. There is a toll loop that goes all the way around it.
Take her to maryjane's and have him put her to work and break her of this craziness right away. I know nothing about the real Texas other than some industry. I think San Antonio is almost as gay as San Francisco and I think a river runs threw it.
Take her to maryjane's and have him put her to work and break her of this craziness right away. I know nothing about the real Texas other than some industry. I think San Antonio is almost as gay as San Francisco and I think a river runs threw it.
Nah, I don't even put the 4h/FFA kids to work around here, but I could take her and Todd about 24 miles down the road and let her meet this lady:
Her bull (Mick E. Mouse) is 17-0 in PBR--never been ridden. Ranked #7 in the world.
I remember when I was in elementary school I used to wanna move to NYC (never had been there) and play football for the Jets (werent even my favorite team , lol)
either that or move to NYC and fight crime like my spiderman comics.
I remember when I was in elementary school I used to wanna move to NYC (never had been there) and play football for the Jets (werent even my favorite team , lol)
either that or move to NYC and fight crime like my spiderman comics.
My only experiences of Texas was San Antonio (Air Force basic training), Wichita Falls (Sheppard AFB training), driving across Texas in 1972 returning from my AF career and the first Red River ruckus and crossing the OK border into Texas.. It is a big state for driving.
I ran into one about a year ago at Sam's club, I was talking to my realtor on the phone about buying my first home, she was working a sample booth! Felt good since she said I was going nowhere and I was dragging her down.
[This message has been edited by jmbishop (edited 09-16-2014).]
Originally posted by Cheever3000: A nice thing about Austin is the low mosquito count. On my first visit there, I noticed it, and then later we learned why.
Couldn't compete with the infestation of Dumbocrats, ? Why ? Saying Austin does not have mosquitoes is like saying they don't have fire ants.
Why ? Saying Austin does not have mosquitoes is like saying they don't have fire ants.
I only lived in Texas for 9 years, but I thought it was widely known that the large population of bats kept the mosquitos tolerable. My own observation was my first hotel stay there when I went to a concert. I stood out on the balcony looking at the lake and noticed there were almost no bugs at all. A few weeks later I saw something on TV that said all the bats in Austin keeps the mosquitos and other bug populations reduced. I said "low" numbers of mosquitos, not "none".
Hell I couldn't understand a dam word most of the locals said when I talked to them. Still have a hard time when Cliff or others from there have called me at different times, hell most times I just handed the phone to my interpreter, they talk funny down there. 
I figured they would hang me if I ever got stopped in a black trans am with Texas plates and a Massachusetts drivers license. 
. We also were probably lucky we didn't lose our girlfriends, 
