I just came back from a 10 day trip to Texas. My family is from Port Arthur and I haven't been back in quite a few years. My sister from Florida met me there to help move my 86 year old Aunt closer to her son south west of Austin to a little town called Buda.

I forgot how nice people can be. My sister and I kept looking at each other in amazement at how everyone we came in contact with were so pleasant and nice. I'm not naive enough to realize this isn't everyone down there but it sure seemed that way.

I also forgot how far you have to drive to get to places. It wasn't bad because their speed limits are higher than where I am but still I felt like I was driving a lot. Also, Bucees gas station/convenience stores were not as prevalent when I was down there before. I know some of you have talked about them before but they are pretty nice. I wish we had them in Virginia.

Lastly, so much stuff is in spanish now. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. All the hispanic people were very nice but increasingly a lot of that area will be predominantly hispanic.

Buda is a nice little town, like it a lot.

It is a nice little town. We ate several times in the historic downtown and people spoke highly of living there.

My mind went to that old Dinah’s Shore Chevy commercial.
“See the USA in your Chevrolet.”

There’s still a majority of good old fashioned American folks above ground. Especially in the Great Plains as I am biased being from Nebraska.

USA # 1

Ps… edited to add Appalachia also!!

I'm pleased that you had a positive experience in my adopted state. I've been here (Dallas) 42 years now and folks are friendly here, too.

flashguy

I grew up a bit north of PA (Silsbee) & my coworker is from PNG.

PA to Buda is a haul, used to make that drive (Silsbee>Austin) regularly in my first to years of college. Might have made it in about 4 hours, once.

Glad you had a good visit.

We like it down here. Changing but still lots of good folks here raising up a new good generation as well.

HK Ag

I am glad you had a good trip. Texans are a friendly bunch, as are many Southerners.

As for size, if you came into Texas on I10, there is a mileage sign just west of the Louisiana border that says: "El Paso 857"

What a great state is Texas. I grew up in Dallas in the 50's. In the 60's my Dad ran the kitchen at the then Gulf refinery. Ooh the fishing and the people were like nowhere else!

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
As for size, if you came into Texas on I10, there is a mileage sign just west of the Louisiana border that says: "El Paso 857"

I used to live off exit 6 in El Paso. It was an awful drive coming in on 10 not just because of the distance but also the traffic from Houston through San Antonio.