Getting Around Texas

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Texas has Visitor's Centers on the major highways coming into the state. These centers are almost always worth a stop. Usually (and Texas is no exception) you get a free official map and can also get travel information about the state. There are also bathrooms.

The centers have been in operation since 1936, when Texas celebrated its Centennial year. The centers are at or near Amarillo, Anthony, Denison, Gainesville, Harlingen, Langtry, Laredo, Orange, Texarkana, Waskom, Wichita Falls, and the state capitol visitor center in Austin.

This is a picture of a Texas Welcome Center. As you can see, it is very different than most welcome centers you may see on your travels. The staff here is really nice, and won't even ask you to sign a register to get your free map and travel guide! Not to mention, the grounds are clean, and the architecture is really neat, especially the giant star located at the very front.

Another good place to hunt souveniers is Stuckys. They have a good selection of state and Texas memrobilia but are much cheaper then truck stops or shops on the strip . They also have Ice cream and a grill. We took about a hour break to eat and shop. This is were I purchased that cute red hat My hubby loved.

When traveling west bound on I-10 one can't help but notice the Buckee the beaver signs every where. I started seeing the signs like 200 miles out. So naturally my courosity was peaked. We stopped and had a good rest. There was a deli and store, hundreds of snacks and sodas. But my favorite part was the store .It had some very nice high end souviners. I will tell you watch the prices. Not every thing was tagged and thats not a good sign....

Things come BIG in Texas, and I have never seen bigger or finer Travel Information Centers than those that are operated here by the Texas Department of Transportation. There are 12 official centers, located at strategic points around the state, many being on Interstate Highways near the state line, but others are found in popular tourist areas. Locations of the Travel Information Centers are:
Amarillo
Anthony
Austin
Denison
Gainesville
Harlingen
Laredo
Langtry
Orange
Texarkana
Waskom
Wichita Falls

At all or most of these Travel Information Centers you can find:
An information desk
Free maps & brochures
Video Theatres on Texas Attractions
Picnic Tables
Vending Machines
24-hour Restrooms
24-hour Security

Texas has several airports, bus service, and passenger trains, but if you're going to explore all of Texas these means of transportation won't take you to most corners of the state. Texas is a vast territory, and to see it all your only reasonable alternative is to drive.

Thank God for car rental agencies who allow unlimited mileage. On my last trip to Texas I flew to Houston, and rented a vehicle for a week. I drove through more than 50 counties, put many hundreds of miles on the car, and still saw only a relatively small section of the state.

I remember the first time I ever rode across Texas with my Dad, when I was 10 years old. We started near the Arkansas/Texas state line at sunrise, and when the sun set that evening we were still not to the Texas/New Mexico line. It was July, hot as blazes, and that was before the days of air conditioned automobiles. As we rode along my Dad taught my brothers and me this poem:

The sun has ris;
The sun has set.
And here we is,
In Texas yet.

Although I have never seen jets land here, it appears that jets do land here and are serviced. However, I DEFINATELY have not seen any commercial aircraft here, so I assume that this airport caters to private jets and general aviation needs. This airport is located between Sherman and Denison. If you have your own plane and want to travel to north Texas, this may be a cheaper way to do it.

The hugely successful Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail winds through 43 Texas counties, encompassing the entire Texas coastal region. Completed in April 2000, the Trail features 308 distinct wildlife-viewing sites. There are maps available showing all the best spots to stop for birds, wildlife, and wildflowers.
Just get in your car and drive the back roads of Texas.