Road Trip Across Texas
Forget the price of gas – Texas is always entertaining and diverse. What other state offers such a diversity of food, culture, and pleasures for both humans and aliens?
Grab a map, hop in the car, and drive as springtime in Texas is calling you. A driving holiday this time of year features an abundance of bluebonnets, the state’s official flower, and red and orange toned Indian Paintbrushes color the landscape.
Brenham
Especially in the Hill Country, where life is sweet in Brenham – home to Blue Bell Creameries. For the past 108 years, the ice cream made here has been delighting Texans and many devotees from the southeastern to southwestern states.
A free tour is offered on weekdays, with a taste of the Blue Bell magic promised for all. But do not dally – the tours are first come-first served, and limited to a certain amount of visitors.
College Station
Drive north and you arrive in College Station – home of the Aggies.
What is an Aggie? An Aggie is a proud student, or alumni, of Texas A & M University. Here geniuses in nuclear technology, engineering, and the obvious agriculture, are trained in all of the university’s 10 schools.
Stop by the visitor’s center at Rudder Tower for an update on all the activities.
Huntsville
Leaving student life behind journey to Huntsville in the Piney Woods and its equally large population of like-minded folks.
Huntsville is known primarily for having the oldest prison in Texas, which in turn has the largest prison system in the United States.
If you never thought of capital punishment as a tourism attraction – think again.
One of the highlights at the nearby Texas Prison Museum is “Old Sparky” the electric chair once used on Death Row for 40 years during the 20th century.
For loftier viewing – check out the 67’ statue of Sam Houston one of the state’s most illustrious statesmen of the early Republic – as Texas once was.
Traveling and touring drum up an appetite and here BBQ rules.
Driftwood
In the town of Driftwood, the Salt Lick still creates it smoky goodness on an open pit.
Hit the state capital of Austin and two places for tangy sauce, messy fingers, and good times rule – Stubbs (try the ribs), and the Iron Works that is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008.
Terlingua
From BBQ to chili – Terlingua, in the Big Bend Country is known for the world-famous chili kickoff every November. Just remember asking, “where’s the beans?” are fighting words here.
Aside from the arrival of chiliheads – the vastness and diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert can be explored and understood at the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center.
Marfa
Full of gas? Continue on to Marfa.
The movie “Giant” with Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean was filmed here over 50 years ago, and still, the fans flock to this small town. Now more than the bright lights of Hollywood have attracted visitors. Marfa’s night skies often light up with unusual tones. Are they atmospheric or alien in nature – you can decide at the Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Center?
These are just a few Lone Star ideas. Discover your own in the largest state in the continental US.
As the old saying goes…
“The sun is riz and the sun is set, and we ain’t out of Texas yet!”