What IS Texas Pride?

That's what they were trying for. lol

I was born and raised in Kingsvile, TX and had a very happy childhood. On week-ends, my Dad would pile my mother, sister and me (Later that included a younger brother.) into the station wagon and take off to explore the countryside or head for the beach. We spent summers camping at Garner State Park. Much of who I am, I learned from my parents — a love of reading (I used to go to bed with a book and a flashlight.), a need to satisfy my curiousity, a sense of adventure and a love of learning and family. I left Kingsville a child and didn't return for a visit until after I was married. Boy, do perceptions change with age! What a difference compared to what I remembered. The only large trees were in town. Everything in the surrounding area was dry and brown and everything was soooooo flat.

I don't know which came first a love of mountains or Garner State Park. To a child, the hills of the park look like mountains. For my own well being, I need to be around nature's greenery and mountains. We moved back to Texas when my DH was transferred to Austin. I would have felt better in the Hill Country, although it lacked the tall trees I love, but we also needed to be closer to Houston where his parents lived. So we settled in the northern part of Fayette County near the Bastrop and Lee County line. A third of the ranch is either wooded or has very large live oaks scattered throughout the pastures. Except for the drought of 2005-06, the grass stays green most of the year. The closest I come to mountains are the ancient limestone ridges found in the northern half of the county, but at least the terrain is not completely flat. If I could find a spot where I could see mountains, even in the background, have rolling hills, have the trees I have now plus a few taller evergreens, cooler summers, a 9b plant hardiness zone with about 800 - 1000 chill hours, I would be in a gardener's paradise. Until then, Texas will have to do.

I've lived in Texas my entire life. Dh too. Neither of us are what you call 'well traveled'. LOL One of my Dh's passions is the history of the Texas Rangers and old historical courthouses in Texas. Anything pertaining to Texas Law Enforcement intrigues our whole family. Dh has a huge picture of most of the historical court houses in Texas. He also has pictures of some Texas Rangers from many years ago.

betty that was so beautifully put! I know time and distance has a way of changing how we remembered something. I LOVE bastrop area---nice with the tall pines! I totally agree on your perfect place would be _____ that would suite me nicely to except that I've never been a must-have-mtns person as I know many are. But they sure were beautiful when I lived in CO.

Maybe one of you Texans can help me out. I fear brown water for swimming in, think Canyon Lake is AWESOME because it's nice and clean but it has no sandy beach sides to it---all rocks???---but if that's the best I can get I'll take 1 out of 2 unless you know a place that has both AND a nice campground to stay at.

Brown water LOL ~ let me guess where you grew up? Land of 10,000 lakes?

In the quip duel above, I may have missed it but what happened to the toadstrangler?

Ahhhh.....Garner!! LOL
Love the COLD spring fed rivers in the Hill Country.
Tubin'...
Lost Maples is gorgeous in the fall.

Stephanie, lifelong native TEXAN!

Have friend from Wisconsin....his spouse from Athens Texas.....her first trip, she told him...we don't call those lakes....we call them stock ponds..!

My family has been in Texas since before my many times back great granfather, Andrew Kent, died at the Alamo. Texas pride means we fought for it and paid for it with our own.

George in San Antonio

Pod, land of 10000 lakes---never heard that saying but I did mention I grew up in Michigan :)

Jester, you said it best:

When people say, "I'm from Texas," it sounds like bragging. It isn't, not really, it just sounds that way. I spent 30 years in Baton Rouge, and saying "I'm from Louisiana" never did sound like bragging. Coming back to Texas is one of the most satisfying things I've ever done.

"You never have to ask a man if he’s from Texas. If he is, he’ll tell you on his own. If he ain’t, well, there’s no need to embarrass him."

bwahaha---I think I have heard that before!

So my friend was right---this Texas pride thing runs deep.

What a cool thread!

I'm a native. Born in Marshall, lived in the Dallas area since I was 3, went to college in west Texas for 2 years. Took a brief vacation to live in the DC area for 2 years and then finished college in California. I liked both of those places. But I was very homesick for the Cowboys, the food, and especially Texas music.

I don't know what it is, exactly. I know that people in other places don't get it, and some think we're really weird (or worse) because of it. But Texas has a unique history all by itself, independent of any other state, and that history makes it unique. When you grow up here, you are taught that history and pride. I was very proud, for example, to go to a junior high named after Sam Houston. So you have a bunch of natives who talk about it, and then people who adopt us seem to like it and join in, and their kids go to school and learn it, and it all becomes tradition.

Besides. Where else do you get Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Tex-Mex, margaritas, chicken-fried steak, and the best barbecue in the world, all in one state? :)

What a great thread and a great tribute to our wonderful state!

I wasn't born in Texas (not my fault - HAHAHA) We moved to San Antonio in 1963. My Dad was USAF. He was a training instructor at Lackland AFB. I remember Texas History. Really enjoyed it. Met my husband in San Antonio after I graduated High School. He was born in Texas, like his father.

My father in law is one of the most Die Hard Texans I have ever known. To give you an example... we moved here to Beaumont in 1979. My mother in law died in 1981 before my children were born. His father remarried a lady from Georgia. They moved to Georgia sometime in the late 80's to be closer to her mother. They still live there, but each year, I get a notice that his TEXAS tags on his truck are due. He sends me a check and insurance card and I get him new registration for his truck. There is no way he'd ever put Georgia tags on HIS truck. He's a Texan, through and through!!!

Each day, here on Dave's, I see photos from different parts of the country. Beautiful landscapes, mountains, snow, etc. While I enjoy looking at the photos, I can't imagine living anywhere else but Texas. I put up with the heat and the 3 days of winter we have because I love my state. I may have been born in Virginia, but I got here as quickly as I could. :-)

BTW, have you all heard the Budweiser commercial about folks who are proud to be Texans? Texans not only know their state flag, but they know the state bird, reptile, etc. I love that commercial and think of my father in law everytime I hear it.

Janet

ps This huge mirror hangs in my dining room. My husband made the frame for it and covered the frame with East Texas Timber Rattler skin.

Brown water - East TX rivers and lakes have so much tannin from the trees that the water is brown, but it won't hurt you.

Only 2 states were Republics - Texas and California. They share many historical similarities. But Texas got more concessions from the US when we joined.

Like several others - I got here courtesy of the military, but won't leave voluntarily.

10,000 lakes is Minnesota's slogan - and that is at least 4000 short.
Told my DW that N MN was just like E TX with all the tall pine trees, when we were walking around in Itaska State Park (headwaters of the Mississippi River), she commented, "You said it was tike the Piney Woods, but there are at least 3 times as many trees here".

"Yea, maybe so, but that's why I love Texas - still lots of trees and NO snow!"
OK, sometimes in February.

I know the brown water won't hurt me. I'm afraid of what I can't see swimming in it. Only when I got here did I hear about gar and NO THANKS sounds scary! I've been in Lake Livingston and Sommerville and both are waaaay to brown for me. So I guess Canyon it is!

Tir,

After we moved to Beaumont in 1979, we decided on our week's vacation to go to Whitewater Sports on the Guadalupe River. I sent off for brochures (before the internet) so we'd know how to get there. The brochure came and as we left Beaumont, I left the brochure behind. Since we couldn't find it at 10 pm that night, we ended up camping out at Canyon Lake (only a mile down the road). Our oldest daughter was conceived on one of the picnic tables at Canyon Lake, so it has very fond memories for us. >8~}

Anyhow, the next day, we found Whitewater Sports and had a blast tubing down the river. There were only a couple of others there. I remember there being a big cage filled to the brim with innertubes. We headed for San Antonio to pick up my 2 brother in laws on Thursday, visited with family, and then on Friday afternoon (Labor Day Weekend) headed back to Whitewater Sports. There was a line waiting to rent those innertubes and so many bodies floating down the river you could barely see the water.

Bwahaha---nice camping memories!

I lived in SA for awhile but didn't have a desire to go tubing. Beautiful water though and lots of recreation that's for sure!

There are some HUGE Gar downstream from Lake Livingston Dam - Paddled from there to US59 many times. The surfaced around us, but did not threaten to jump into the kayaks with us.

I'm more concsened with the 'gaters on the lower Brazos - from Rosenburg south. They migrate into Oyster Creek in our subdivision when the river is up.
We have seen several in our lakes (nature preserve designation) - in Lake Olympia.

But if you want sandy shoreline and nice wide "beach" try the Colorado at US59 near Wharton. We have paddled from US90 to US59 a couple of times. Made a 2-day trip and camped on a sand/gravel bar in the river. Just check the weather to be sure there isn't a flood coming.

Canyon Lake to New "B" can be very crowded on holiday weekends. Thats why we prefer to cross US288 to Bergheim and run the upper section before the lake.

It is so peaceful floating along - beautiful plants and birds - can drift right by most without disturbing them.

This message was edited Oct 2, 2007 12:22 PM

I Grew up in West Texas so the Piney woods always make me a bit claustrophobic.lol

I love Texas music and songwriters, Robert Earl Keen, Ray Wiley Hubbard, Billy Joe Schaver. There are probably more songs written about Texas than any other State. My second great loves are the German dance halls, Saengerhalle, Gruene Hall, Floore's, Sons of Hermann. I never had a bad time at any one of those place! Lol

Bubba, I think we are headed out in the next few weeks to paddle around in the Sabine. At least that's what I've told DH I'd like to do for our anniversary. Thanks for all your help and explanations.

Gotta tell you about our Sabine run. Put in just outside Big Sandy and took out at Gladewater -- 8+ hours later. It's a 15-20 minute drive, but 35-40 miles on the water. It was our last run before the Rio Grand.

I'm working on the blog to have all the "stuff" y'all wanted to know.

Cocoa, I go to some of those places too occasionally. Maybe we could meet up there sometime!

Not to hijack the thread or anything (bwg), but you might check out the Summer Shiner Nights series that KHYI holds every year in Plano. It's held at a very nice amphitheater out in the woods. Saw Ray Hubbard there a couple of weeks ago. Great show!

I've really been thinking about an answer to the original question. I keep telling my husband that I don't even know if I can explain it, it's (Texas pride) just something that IS. If you're lucky enough to have been born and raised here, it's something that is engrained in you, perhaps because of the lives that have been given to make this state what it is.

Texas Music is legend.

There are house concerts all around Houston - some rather BIG names show up to jam. Then there is Kerrville's Folk Festival & Wine & Music Festival, South by SouthWest in Austin, Austin City Limits, Lubbock's Buddy Holly museum and Music Week.

All the Chech and German festivals - great bands, great food, etc.

San Antonio's Fiesta week.

All the county fairs.

Just subscribe to Texas Highways magazine (or go to the website). If you can't find something to do on any weekend - you aren't trying very hard.

Stephanie and Tir,
Some of us transplants are even more "into" the Texas pride than some natives. Our best friend - born and raised in the panhandle would always refer others to me for accurate Texas history, georaphy, etc.

But, I listen and learn from many - one of our "regulars" is a reinactor, head of Texas Army Fife and Drum Corps, and a REAL source of Texas history - gives speeches at schools - has rebuilt some of the Alamo weapons, and now is working on some San Jacinto arms.

This message was edited Oct 2, 2007 1:30 PM

Will Do, Pbtxlady! We don't usually have the time for many shows come Fall and Winter. I don't really post on DG during the winter, but I'm back every Spring. If your going to a good show drop me an D-mail.

The last show we went to was the Hayes Carll's Stingaree fest in Crystal Beach. It was in April and the first day was fun, then 24hrs of freezing wet sand blowing on us at 60mph (I thought I was going to die! lol)

Another great thing about Texas if you don't like the weather......

stephanietx, thanks for going back to the original question. I was afraid that's basically the answer I come up with. I understand knowing your states history but the texas pride seems to run deeper than that. Funny though most of the people I have met in Texas in various cities---they usually aren't native....could be the moving to a city for a job reason but just thought it interesting.

Bubba, I have to make a correction. Waxahachie is the Crepe Myrtle capital of Texas!

I've lived in Texas since I was 6 months old. I was born in Bisbee, Arizona, but I've never known any other life than Texas life. I consider myself a Texan and anyone who says otherwise can kiss my butt!

For me, Texas pride is about the history, sure. I mean we have had 6 different flags fly over our great state. We have always fought for what we believe in, and to this day we produce more soldiers than any other state (previously mentioned). We still uphold the death penalty and if it wasn't for Roe vs Wade we would probably not be killing babies. We are the state known for it's hospitality, it's cowboys, it's Cowboys, it's armadillos, it's horntoads, it's bluebonnets, it's flag, and it's shape. No offense, but if you showed people the shape of Iowa, most couldn't tell you which state it was.

Here's a video that should sum it up pretty good for you. Now, all you Texans try not to get teary-eyed as your chest swells up with pride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGukLuXzH1E

TEXAS, TEXAS, YEEHAW!!

Oh, yeah, you know, I was supposed to go to the Stingaree. I cancelled because Shake Russell (my favorite) was in town. But my friends went, and had a great time!

Now now Bronc we want people to think of 'us' Texans as the friendly folk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Typ9hwBWNvs&mode=related&search=

That was really neat, thank you for showing it.
Josephine.

Well, I'll be danged Bronc ~ a native Arizonan. Lived out there in a previous life and THAT is a rarity! Sorry tho, no butt kissing here.

Bubba ~ agreed on northern Mn and east Texas being similar from the tall pines and hardwoods, to the red dirt. I love it. The reservoirs being manmade are the only difference. Murky water makes me apprehensive because of the legless critters. Years ago, I was floating along in Red Hill lake with snake on my mind. I felt something slither up over my shoulder and like to have drowned myself. Only to find it was my braid! What an adrenalin surge!

Thank you both for the YouTube videos.

JT. Would appreciate it if you would just tame that passion down a little,,,,now,ya hear?

Teasing......I'm right with you kid.

I do declare y'all been jawin' up a storm...
I'm glad I looked thought the Texas forum and found this what an education.

As I read it all I thought ..yeah I have been College station as that is where we moved my daughter to when she first came down here around 4 yrs ago and then to Huston last august to visit her since she moved there for work and we went to Galveston bay fishing And have been in the capital building in Austin the youngest step son showed us around it when we were down here lookin for a hosue the end of June. He lives on the north side of Austin and works for Dell and I knwo where Round Rock is as we drive through it on 79 to get to his place over by the mall. But lordly what a mess tryin to drive there the first time we ended up at the college and had to call 2 times to finally get to him (hubby not good with relaying directions me driving while he talked to son)

I do know I can tell ya that Tyler is 8% cheaper cost of living then Rockford Illinois which had an influence on us moving here.

and in ending this note from me I am leaving y'all with a link that a friend sent to me telling me it was a sign that we moved here as I came out
60% (Dixie). A definitive Southern score! and I grew up in Illinois go figure

http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/yankee_dixie_quiz.html

72% Dixie.......born, raised and still live less than 14 miles from Downtown Dallas Texas

Go figure

okay I missed the post to find out if you are yankee or not...help.

found it http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/yankee_dixie_quiz.html

I was so happy to see my answers being consistent with michigan and the NE/Great Lakes yet I'm only 44% Yankee, "barely into the Yankee category." Call me shocked!

To many Texans, it is still akin to a something like a nation, because it's so big and because of its history. My great-great grandmother's brother died in the Texas Revolution, fighting for freedom at Goliad. This is a blood tie back to the revolution. They were surrounded by a much larger Mexican army and had sustained too many losses. The Mexican commanding officer led those who survived to that point to believe that they would just be taken prisoners. Then he ordered them massacred. Thus the battle cry "Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad!" That revolution was about freedom from tyranny, echoing the original U.S. revolution. But it wasn't the U.S. government sending troops to Texas to defeat the army of Santa Anna. It was ragtag bands of Texicans (as many called themselves back in those days) who fought with few resources against the much larger, well-armed trained forces of a cruel dictator. I should add that some brave men also left U. S. states to come fight with them, but that was individuals who chose to fight for freedom. Some of my ancestors left Tennessee long ago to come to Texas, which happened so commonly it led to the common saying back then of "Gone to Texas" when explaining to their neighbors and friends why the family was no longer living there. I'm a native born Texan. I lived several years overseas, but was happy to return to my home state and my family.
It's just too bad that greedy unscrupulous developers (many from other states) have discovered that there is money to be made putting large developments in the Hill Country, where the land and water resources can't sustain a large population. That's what we are facing now. Developers from another state bought a large ranch and plan to put in a huge development right next to us in a rural area of Medina Co. and Bandera Co. Pollution, bulldozers razing the beautiful natural landscape, fighting over scarce water resources, that's not what our area of Texas needs now. But that's another story. Sorry, it just makes me so sad!

Yes that could be a whole other thread for sure Linda---but the west doesn't exactly have the water to sustain such populations and they have tried to manage that. Water always a problem. But I'm hardly one to look down on new home communities or growth, after all, when I grew up and moved out of my parents place I needed somewhere to live. I attribute it to our nations/states impending growth. Better planning and building up rather than out are good ways to look at it though.

I hope someday to live on a wide open space of Texas and hopefully the next generation will actually keep it in the family. :)

A lot more needs to be done with gray-water use and recycling. If we were smarter about our usage, there wouldn't be as big a problem as there is....but what do I know? I live in Oregon where there is TOO MUCH water!