"West is really Best!!" Texas by mtncorg

Texas Travel Guide: 13,159 reviews and 26,742 photos

Grave of LBJ - 36th President at the LBJ Ranch

Texas is a huge State with long drive times between destinations. Oil being King for a long time here has contributed to an urban landscape that shares all of the worst features of California sprawl: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin all lead the way for the rest of the State. Outer urban freeway rings have a nasty habit of becoming inner freeway rings within the space of a mere decade as uncontrolled growth marches forward.

The areas of natural beauty of the State in my experience are to be found in the far western regions of the State: Bend National Park (Santa Elena Canyon is fantastic!), and Guadalupe Mountains National Park (stand atop Guadalupe Peak if you need proof). Some people make a big deal about the Hill Country - a region north of San Antonio and west of Austin. There are some interesting drives and early spring and mid to late fall would be the best time here. Distances cannot be emphasized enough. Big Bend and the other western areas are almost as close to San Diego, California as they are to Houston. The daily cost of the car rental will be much less than what it is now for the fuel you will use!

My tips are centered around trips taken in the far west - Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains and in the south central region, where a recent trip took me back to my old Army training post at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, with forays into the nearby Hill Country.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Some wonderous cultures, warm people and great outdoors
Cons:The State is awfully big
In a nutshell:The West is Best

Intro Updated Mar 7, 2011
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Reviews (11)

Nimitz Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg - Texas

NIMITZ MUSEUM Things to Do (7)

Chester Nimitz grew up here in Fredericksburg. He was so impressed by the bearing of a couple of Army officers that he... more travel advice

At the LBJ White House on the Ranch - Texas

LBJ RANCH Things to Do (7)

Lyndon Johnson's family had come to this area in the 1850's and the story of his family can best be experienced by... more travel advice

Army Medical band marches in review at Ft Sam - Texas

MILITARY PARADES Local Customs (2)

With so many military units in Texas, parades are a common sight. The vast Parade Ground at Fort Sam Houston in San... more travel advice

Sign describing next bat viewing opportunity - Texas

BAT TOURS Local Customs (2)

If you cannot get out to Carlsbad Caverns, then the Old Tunnel near Fredericksburg is a nice option. With over five... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (2)
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Comments (1)

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XenoHumph Feb 21, 2013 at 4:55 PM

I find it odd that your VT map shows Texas as the only place you have ever lived!! Oh, great page by the way! You have tips about Frederiksburg I could use!
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  mtncorg Mar 4, 2013 at 3:00 PM
  
  The VT map simply does not work for me. I have tried to input the four places that I have lived and Texas and sometimes California are the only places that ever stick. It seems a semi-common problem that VT doesn't seem to think can be worked out. This time of year is very nice to be in the Hill Country, though. Maybe already getting too hot for Big Bend? Great to hear from you!!
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  XenoHumph Mar 6, 2013 at 11:23 AM
  
  The VT map can be moody indeed. It took me forever to have it accept Antarctica as a place I had been (Had to click on a remote island). Sometimes you have to click at a very specific place to get your choice accepted!
  It's cold here, in the 60' during the day, brrrr...