Texas is the only US state which lays claim to having been a sovereign nation before becoming a state.
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So, people here believe the land, the opportunity, the parks, well, everything in Texas is bigger and better; and with all that hype is how I have been reared, even believing it early in my life.
Almost all of that early life was on the Gulf Coast of Texas, most in the town of Pasadena just southeast of Houston, but it wasn′t long before I was to leave Texas and since then, haven′t lived as a resident of this state for over thirty three years. Still, if I were to claim any place as my home state, which I have come not to since my retirement because of living full time in my vehicle, well, I suppose that I would have to say it is Texas.
Nevertheless, even though my drivers licence and car licence have for over thirty year had the state of Washington on them, and still does, that fact requires that I return to Washington, usually once a year for the purpose of renewing the licenses.
Many Places to Visit
Just prior to entering Texas on this journey I had been in New Mexico, which puts me into the western areas as I cross the state line. From there I will have numerous places which to drive to upon this return for winter hiatus.
The West of Texas, October 25, 2009 - November 20, 2009
Upon my return to the Lone Star State, the first thing that catches my attention is how polite the people here are. This happened when someone said to me "Yes, Sir" causing me to feel the urge to say "You don't have to call me Sir."
However, I bite my tongue upon recalling my rearing and how mother taught me to say sir and ma'am to everyone without exception.
Living on the West Coast for so long a time had compelled me to forget at least this aspect of my upbringing.
Now that I am once again in Texas, I've come to feel a special affinity for these friendly and polite folk, despite their thick southern accent.
The East of Texas, November 21, 2009 - December 10, 2009
The rain pounds upon the roof of the windjammer all night and is still coming down hard when I arise at four-thirty am. That it pounds on the roof is not bad in itself because it causes me to recall those days of long ago when I slept under tin roof shelters along the Appalachian Trail.
Nevertheless, this is the first time on this journey that the rain has been a downpour. Yes, it did rain when I was on the coast of California, but that was more of a drizzle. Yesterday afternoon, I talked with my sister in Houston who said it was raining there but the weather report informs me that the front is moving east and will soon be out of the Houston area.
The South Coast of Texas, December 11, 2009 - December 15, 2009
Up very late this morning due to the late night drive south towards the border. I had driven southwest out of Houston on US 59 and have come to learn that this highway is being upgraded to an interstate highway which will be called IH 69. Too, south of Victoria, IH 69 it will divide into three separate routes, IH 69E, IH 69C and IH 69W.
Driving southwest from Houston, the first division is at Victoria where IH 69E, departs from US 59 and takes US 77, which is the coastal route to Harlingen, Texas.
The next division from US 59 is in George West where IH 69C leaves US 59 on US 281 to McAllen, Texas.
Finally, IH 69W continues from George West, Texas on US 59 to Laredo and on this journey, I drive this route, US 59 to Laredo, Texas.
From Victoria, I follow the south coastal route in Texas.
The Valley of Texas, December 16, 2009 - December 24, 2009
THE RAIN IS COMING DOWN HARD when I awake but close my eyes and purposely sleep longer so not to be so tired early in the afternoon.
When I do get up, I go directly into the birding center but with the rain now coming down in bucketfuls, I only tour the visitors center, buy an embroidered patch and then return to the jammer in the parking lot.
My hope is that after my tour in México when on my way back through south Texas next spring, I plan to walk the trails here and hopefully, without the rain. Afterwards, I drive to Santa Anna National Wildlife Preserve and do the same here.
