This is funny, that is, the idea that they are surprised you have malls and grocery stores, etc.. I know many people in the main stream media think that anywhere between NY and CA is flyover country. They expect that wild Indians still roam around Minnesota with bows and arrows! Often the morning news programs on the MSM give weather temps for Chicago, and then nothing else westward until Seattle (along the northern tier of states). It is probably the same for the southern part. Mostly the east coast and the pacific coast gets covered.
Those who fail to appreciate the massive economies of places like Texas are essentially clueless.