[Billie]

I took this photo last summer near Sonora, Texas, on I-10, where the interstate cut through this mountain. The flag, flying so high above us, was just overwhelmingly beautiful!

[Billie]

I know, I know, I'm late, I'm late. But Texas is SOOOOOO Big, it took me SOOOOOOOO long to post it. :)

"Texas, Our Texas"

Written by William J. Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright
Composed by William J. Marsh

Texas, Our Texas! all hail the mighty State!
Texas, Our Texas! so wonderful so great!
Boldest and grandest, withstanding ev'ry test
O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.

Texas, O Texas! your freeborn single star,
Sends out its radiance to nations near and far,
Emblem of Freedom! it set our hearts aglow,
With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo.

Texas, dear Texas! from tyrant grip now free,
Shines forth in splendor, your star of destiny!
Mother of heroes, we come your children true,
Proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you.

God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

I love the graphic of the woman holding the Texas flag. Beautiful. :o)

**The world's largest spring fed swimming pool, with a 62,000 square foot surface (almost 1.5 acres) is Balmorhea State Park in the Big Bend Region. It's one of the largest man-made pools in the United States. **

A lifeguard's nightmare. lol

hey spookie...this is your day to enjoy a bit of Texas!

[Calpernia]

Wow GREAT post Billie! Well worth the wait this morning. May I add this?

Love that show!

[Calpernia]

Morning to ALL!

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning to all. Great pictures, Billie. Makes me so proud to be a transplanted from Cajun land (which I still love of course) to Texas.

[WVNan]

LOL. Now I know why the thread was late. Aw shucks, you would do one of my favorite states on a day when I have to be away all day and evening. Well, have fun with Texas today. Love ya'll.

[MaryFromMichigan]

Good Morning! :)
This is a picture my sister took at her place near Kemp, Tx.
Great state! All the more special 'cause my sister lives there!
Hot there, though! 103º today, even warmer tomorrow!

[The Thin Man]

Texas! Phooey! Texas this......Texas that.....Texas, Texas, Texas! All we hear from you is Texas!

Billie, I really love your Texas thread. I wish we could have one every week. :-)

[ladtx]

Can't pass up a post about Texas.

Raised on the Caprock and proud of it.

[lonestar]

I know least about this region, but the fall colors are spectacular - forests, National Parks every where! A wonderful, scenic drive.

I know a lot about this region.

It's full of squirrels!

I live about 15 miles from Martin Dies State Park. It's home, sweet home!

Weinie

[Aquamarine]

You do know Texas, Billie! Great opener with a wonderful tour of Texas!

Here's your not so average Texan working around the ranch. :)

[ValerieUSA]

Wow!! A spectacular Texas thread, Billie! Thanks.

[deadhead]

Thank You, Billie. Awesome presentation. Love the wonderful tour of Texas. Nice to "visit" your home state. I am "two-stepping" by for a quick hello :-)

~~~Colleen~~~

[FreeTheHostages]

I'm sooo busy! This thread looks terrific -- I'll be here tonight to take a longer look.

[Dubya]

Great thread on Texas. I have longhorns next door to me.

PIX

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Thanks for the pictures, they're great!

My family came here 171 years ago and I expect to get acclimatized any day now!

[Dubya]

I have been by there a few times nice pix.

[SpookBrat]

I took one look at that picture and could tell it was taken off I-10. We took that highway from Kerrville to San Antonio all the time.

Beautiful thread as always. The Hill Country is my favorite part of Texas too.

[Feiny]

BEEYOUTEEFULL!!!

The only thing missing was under the Titles....you left out Lance Armstrong!

[Diver Dave]

Afternoon ma'am. Thank you kindly for the waltz.

Like Mama Bear, our family drove across Texas back when I was a pup. Don't remember too much of it, so I hafta rely on the old 8mm home movies to unclutter the cobwebs. Seven of us in a '47 Chevy with no air conditioning, no tape player, no CD. Just an old AM radio and my sister leading the singing to the songs on the radio. We did have an air conditioner of sorts. It was mounted on the passenger window and it had a tank which was filled with ice and water. More like a swamp cooler once the ice melted and the water warmed up from the hot Texas sun.

Our Texas destination was Beaumont. We saw the whole Great State of Texas from west to east through the windows of the car long before the interstate.

We figured the state tree for Texas was an oil derrick after seeing so many of em.

Once we got to Beaumont, we experience first hand the hospitality of Texans. Uncle Victor prepared and served up his recipe of fricassee chicken.

Someday, after I win the lottery, I'd surely enjoy visiting Texas again. Would take a year or so to get all around the state visiting the sights and all the Texas FReepers.

Thanks for the tour. I've still got some dance tickets left... May I have the next waltz?