MANY REASONS WHY I LOVE TEXAS

I was born in Yale, Oklahoma.  I grew up in the northeastern portion of Oklahoma, graduating from Stillwater, Oklahoma.  I never really thought about it much, but Oklahoma is beautiful in it's own way.  I remember my grandparents rock farm house, the red creek we swam and fished in, the taste of well water from an aluminum cup that hung beside the well, and the change of seasons. 

I lived in Newport News, Virginia for a year, and the pine trees and back roads were beautiful.  I have also lived off and on in the Denver, Colorado area with my mother after her divorce from my father.  Colorado is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  The mountains in summer with the sun shining on them, or even in the winter when the snow covers them.  Oh, the fun I used to have going snow skiing, hiking, just riding around was fun.  Even though I was a teenager, I did recognize the beauty.

Since then, I have lived in Topeka, Kansas which had the most beautiful sunsets.  St. Louis, Missouri had.... well... okay, I'm trying hard... okay.... they have a beautiful arch.  Then there was Houston, Texas, and I will never forget the smell.  Not really gawd awful bad, but a mixture of salt and oil refinery... not really good.  I do love Dallas.  There are so many things to do.  But, I have to admit it, Texas has no much more than any other state I've ever been in.  Here are just a  few of the reasons I love Texas.

1. To all the people that assume Texas is a desert wasteland. How many deserts look like this?

Sequin, TX

2. Or have natural pools like this?

Dripping Springs, Texas

3. As for being dry? Much of Texas is the opposite of that.

Uncertain, Texas

4. It has everything from flowing streams…

Gruene, Texas

 5. To scenic rivers…

San Marcos, TX 

6. To captivating waterfalls…

McKinney State Park
Austin, TX

7. And massive city lakes.

Austin,TX

8. Even the swamps are pretty.

Uncertain, TX

9. Nothing beats a sunrise in the bayou.

Needville, TX

10. Or the wildlife.

Damon, TX

11. Contrary to popular belief Texas is not flat either: It has enormous rocks.

Enchanted Rock, TX

12. Along with deep cutting canyons.

Big Bend, TX

13. Photo worthy mountaintop sunsets.

Big Bend, TX

14. The views are worth the climb.

Big Bend, TX

15. Only in Texas will you find amazing colonies of bats above ground.

Austin, TX

16. And vast beauty below.

San Antonio,TX

17. People say the state does not have seasons. They could not be more wrong.

Vanderpool, TX

18. It has colorful foliage in fall.

Wichita Falls, TX

19. Long covered walking trails in the spring.

Needville, TX

20. Beautiful swimming holes to cool yourself off in the summer.

Wimberley, TX

21. And every once in a while a mysterious white powder falls from the skies in the winter.

North Richland Hills, TX

22. Fog is not just something you see in London — Texas has its fair share of mystic haze.

Austin, TX

23. Along with epic storms.

Dallas, TX

24. REALLY EPIC STORMS.

Vega, TX

25. Don’t forget about the 367 miles of coastline.

Port Aransas, TX

26. You can catch an amazing sunset.

Seabrook, TX

27. Have a light house show you the way.

Point Bolivar, Texas

28. Remember, nothing comes close to the beauty of the coast.

Galveston, TX

29. Oh, Texas has deserts too, and they’re awesome.

Chihuahuan Desert, Texas

30. They have their own version of wildlife.

(almost everywhere)

31. And select pieces of high end art.

Marfa, TX

32. The Lone Star State is known for its rolling plains.

Silverton, TX

33. With amber waves of grain.

Vega, Texas

34. Where nothing goes to waste.

Amarillo, TX (FYI: Cadillac Ranch)

35. Few things match the beauty of a Texas evening.

Lago Vista, TX

36. The stars at night truly are big and bright.

Gillespie, TX

So wherever your travels may take you.

Mason County, TX

Hopefully, one day they’ll lead you here.

Austin, TX

GOD BLESS TEXAS!

Now, to be perfectly honest, I did not create this tribute to Texas.  But I have been to almost all of these places.  I have seen the lightening in Dallas, and the Bluebonnets and long horn in Austin, but I also saw the most beautiful starry night at Margie's condo in Marble Falls, at Horseshoe Bay Resort.  The swamps I saw were just as majestic at Caddo State Park, as was the alligators.  Yes, I've been to most of these places, and at one point in time, my name (as well as Angie, Morgan and Chloe) was on one of those Cadillacs.  Yes, I have seen most of the beautiful sights in Texas.  

In closing, I'll post what I consider my personal most beautiful things in Texas.  

MY FAMILY

THEN SOMETHING THAT MONEY CANNOT BUY...... THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD!