Tales from a Mid-Lifer

If you would have presented me with the 50 state flags four years ago, I would have struggled to identify New York after a half-century of living here. Through process of elimination and knowing the Latin word excelsior (meaning “ever upward”) is plastered on countless NY businesses, schools and many license plates, I would have figured it out. But, it would have taken time.

Less than thirty minutes out of the Austin, Texas airport, I would forever know the Lone Star state flag. In twenty miles, I saw 20 Texas state flags. I wasn’t looking for them. If I were, I would have likely observed more. They are everywhere and HUGE.

HUGE being the key word. The state is enormous.

You could fit ALL of the United Kingdom into Texas 2.8 times.

Houston to Amarillo is like driving the entire length of Italy.

Oh, and that Texas sky…endless. Texas sunsets are amazing. A few of these images may be familiar from Wordless Wednesday posts, while others will be new. (All photos property of family5power.com)

How about the Texas pride?

“Why is it called the great state?” I asked my new son-in-law. He said, “so much is great here. The weather, the taxes…”

“But, what else? Like, why are you all so proud of living here?” I pressed, sincerely interested in a better answer.

Turns out, most websites and even blogs written by native Texans answer like my son-in-law did: “If you ask a native Texan what’s so great about their state, you may get a smirk instead of an answer. Every Texan knows that everything is better, and bigger, in Texas. There’s no need to discuss it.” Click here for quote source.

Texas Pride on your Ride:

Though I heard of Texas pride prior to traveling there, the state flags alone scream “you are in Texas!” Then, I began noticing special Texas adornments and state emblems on the backs and sides of vehicles.

My son-in-law and his family have these types of markings on their very large pick-up trucks. It’s been especially hilarious getting in and out of these vehicles. I drive a larger SUV in NY and my daughters call it a bus. It’s dwarfed next to the trucks our in-laws drive. At 5’2”, I feel like a toddler trying to climb into these things. They are all tall people and our clan…not so much.  

Yes, there are a bazillion trucks on the Texas highways – Texas buys more trucks than other state in America – but depending on where you are in the state, Texas pride is attached to all types of cars, not only trucks.

A few other special edition vehicles have been manufactured for individual states, but nothing compares to the continuous demand for Texas-specific vehicle options, proudly marked “Texas Edition”.

Speaking of driving…did you know that Texas has the fastest speed limit in the nation at 85mph? I can tell you first hand, it’s terrifying. I’m white-knuckled anywhere within the Dallas vicinity and feel just as much terror hauling down the less-crowded highways in central Texas.

The massive, five-level Dallas interchange (freeways) feels like I’m at the tippy top of a rollercoaster, with nothing but sky surrounding the vehicle I’m in. It’s downright scary. When traffic opens up, traveling at 90mph is very normal in Texas. So are car accidents. I sent both of my daughters those statistics to inform and scare…

Texas pride also spills over via the lone star symbol. The words “lone star” precede more businesses than you can count. Similar to the state flag, the lone star symbol can be found on everything from barns to highway pillars.

I’ve stayed or visited cities and towns so deeply, extremely diverse from each other, I wouldn’t have believed I was in the same state. From passing oil fields with no trees in sight, to the lush hill country near Cedar Park, to the incredible amenities in Dallas. So far, I’ve spent time in these towns/cities: Austin, Waco, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Ft. Worth, Dallas (along with countless Dallas suburbs), Temple, Killeen, Houston and Galveston. There have been a smattering of other small towns. If you recognize any of these places, you understand the mind-boggling differences within the same state borders.

It’s been an interesting time exploring the great state. Thank you for coming along on this Texas Tuesdays tour!