Road School: How Big is Texas?
Wonder what this photo has to do with the size of Texas? Read the note at the bottom of the post.
Texas. It does seem like it’s another country. (And perhaps some day it will be?) When I think of Texas, I think of a great many things–most of them stereotypical, cliched, and likely insulting to most actual Texans.
Well, I’m going to Texas. In fact, I’m on a plane bound for the lone star state right now. And while I’m visiting mostly for work (ok, it is entirely a work trip) I’m still really excited. Because I’ve never been to Texas before. And I’m absolutely expecting a scruffy-faced, blue eyed, ruggedly-handsome cowboy (that’s redundant, isn’t it) to sweep me up in his arms as soon as I disembark the plane. And, you know, carry me off into the sunset. They do that, right? Like how they give you a flower lei and a mai tai when you land in Hawaii?
What? You mean that doesn’t happen either? Damnit.
Guiding Questions:
How much of the mystique of Texas culture is fact? How much is fiction?
Over the course of the next four days, I will be going about my work-life in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, observing ordinary Texas life. And I will be documenting it via Instagram–both the myth and the reality. If the guy working at the gas station is wearing a cowboy hat, there will be a picture of it (oh yes there will). If I happen upon a Big Billy Bob’s Boot Emporium, there will be a picture of it (and I will buy many pairs of boots). I shall leave no tumbleweed, no cactus, no big-ass pickup truck un-Instagrammed. And if I happen upon anything non-cliched (like, oh I don’t know, a democrat. Or an arugula salad.) there will be a picture of that, too. Follow along with me as I set out to decipher between Texas fact and Texas fiction.
Note: It is impossible to include original photography for pre-trip posts featuring plans to visit a place I’ve never been. Thus, for Road School pre-posts, I shall include an original shot that has nothing to do with the location I’ll be visiting, yet in some way expresses the spirit of my guided question.
This post’s photo is a creepy back road (in Virginia, not Texas–clearly, as I’ve not yet visited Texas). It represents the kind of scary, back woods world that I’m sure I won’t find in Texas–but still, it ushers in thoughts of banjo music. Also, the reason it is so foggy is because a big-ass pickup truck had just crested the hill. So there’s that.
You crack me up! As a “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could” Texan (Yes, that IS a very popular bumper sticker here in OUR great state that we make fun of probably more than outsiders so its totally ok for you to!), I am TOTALLY looking forward to reading your posts and seeing your pics on your first trip to this great state I call home. Even though you just got here, you pretty much nailed it on the head! I don’t know any other state where it is not only common but practically a mandatory thing to have a Texas themed bathroom or bedroom in your own home 🙂 The main takeaway for you is don’t worry about offending Texans cuz you make fun (or light) of our quirks and stereotypes—WE EMBRACE THEM and are the first to joke about them! Although Texas IS a BIG state and I probably don’t speak for everyone and since we all own guns you might want to be just a wee bit cautious! 😉
Actually, everyone I’ve met here has been REALLY friendly. But damn, there are a LOT of big-ass trucks!
Cool! I’ve always wanted to go to Texas. My husband drove through it last year on the world’s fastest drive on Route 66. He saw the Cadillacs growing out of the ground but didn’t get to stop at that steakhouse to eat a 72oz steak dinner in an hour and get the meal for free.
I’ve never gotten a mai tai upon arrival in Hawaii but the first time I went a friend of our travel agent’s picked us up at the airport and had leis for us. The last time – last fall – when we disembarked our cruise ship we also got leis. Was that cowboy waiting for you?
Sadly, no cowboy. Yet.