When I travel abroad and mention I’m from Texas, the reaction is almost always the same: wide eyes, a big grin, and something about cowboys or the Dallas Cowboys. Sometimes it’s J.R. Ewing and the Dallas TV series. Other times, it’s the cheerleaders. Either way, everyone seems to know Texas—and everyone has an opinion about it.
But here’s the truth: Texas is bigger, bolder, and far more personal than any stereotype. My husband, David, and I have lived here for over 40 years—raising our family, building our careers, and watching Texas grow right alongside us. We’ve explored the state by Corvette, Harley Davidson, and plenty of good old-fashioned road trips.
Both of our children graduated from the University of Texas and married fellow Longhorns, so yes—we’re a proud Longhorn family through and through. Football season is practically a holiday in our house.
I wasn’t born in Dallas—I was transferred here with IBM. Back then, the Galleria Mall was brand new, and Austin was still a smallish university town. The Hill Country was just that—rolling, untouched hills. We used to go to Houston for business and escape to Galveston for beach weekends filled with seafood, sunsets, and sea breeze. San Antonio’s River Walk was already a favorite—with its boats drifting past mariachi music and margaritas under twinkling lights.
And of course, nothing says Dallas like the State Fair of Texas. Big Tex, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, and those fried concoctions no one should eat but everyone tries anyway.
🏡 What Life in Texas Looks Like Now
Today, I call Castle Hills home—a master-planned community where I serve as President of our HOA and have held roles as President of both the Women’s Club and Business Association.
I spend my evenings at Broadway Dallas musicals, and my weekends exploring the ever-growing lifestyle scene—The Shops at Legacy, Grandscape, The Star in Frisco, and soon, Universal Studios Texas and the rising new community of The Fields.
Texas is always growing, but the soul of it—the food, the friendliness, the stories—remains.
Hot2Go in Texas: My Insider’s Guide to the Lone Star State
I hope you enjoy my insider’s guide to Texas. My daughter Ramie and her family also live in Castle Hills, and my son Brandon and his family live in Austin. We love taking family vacations together, including unforgettable cruises to Alaska and Europe, as well as trips around the United States.
🌆 Dallas: Style, Sports & What to See Now
Start in downtown’s Arts District, home to the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Perot Museum. Catch a ride on the McKinney Avenue Trolley, sip cocktails in Uptown, or go luxury shopping in Highland Park Village.
Time your visit during the State Fair of Texas (late Sept–mid Oct) to meet Big Tex and try fried everything. And don’t skip a trip to AT&T Stadium—“Jerry World”—whether it’s for a Cowboys game, concert, or just the tour. This is Texas on full display.
🤠 Fort Worth: Boots, Bulls & Glen Rose Adventures
Fort Worth is where the West still kicks up dust. Watch longhorn cattle walk the Stockyards, explore the Kimbell Art Museum, or catch a rodeo before heading to Sundance Square for dinner.
Just outside the city, head to Glen Rose, home to the epic outdoor musical “The Promise”(summer only), Dinosaur Valley State Park, and the family-favorite Fossil Rim Wildlife Center—a safari drive-through unlike any other in Texas.
🎶 Austin: Music, Mindset & Modern Vibes
Plan your trip around SXSW (March) or Austin City Limits (October) for peak creativity. Music pours from every corner—whether it’s Rainey Street or a secret speakeasy with acoustic sets.
By day, kayak Lady Bird Lake, swim in Barton Springs, or browse boutiques on South Congress. Grab tacos for breakfast, brisket for lunch, and dance into the night.
🌸 Hill Country: Wine Roads, Wildflowers & Wimberley Charm
Spring brings a sea of bluebonnets, especially near Marble Falls, Burnet, and Fredericksburg. Tour vineyards, soak in views, and two-step in Luckenbach or Gruene Hall.
Add Wimberley for rivers, shopping, and sunset strolls. This region is perfect for romantic escapes or slow-paced getaways.
🌊 San Antonio: River Walk Magic & Market Memories
Visit The Alamo, then let the River Walk sweep you along. Boats, margaritas, and mariachi music set the tone, especially at night.
Explore the UNESCO-listed Missions, and don’t miss the Historic Market Square—packed with local artisans, piñatas, and Tex-Mex flavors under colorful papel picado.
🚀 Houston & the Gulf Coast: Museums, NASA & Boardwalk Breezes
Houston’s cultural side shines in the Museum District, where you’ll find the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, and more.
At NASA’s Johnson Space Center, touch moon rocks and walk in an astronaut’s shoes. Then head to the coast: stroll the Galveston Seawall, ride coasters at the Pleasure Pier, or enjoy fresh seafood at Kemah Boardwalk—a Gulf Coast gem.
🌴 Corpus Christi & Port Aransas: Coastal Cool with Island Vibes
Tour the USS Lexington, visit the Texas State Aquarium, and stroll the waterfront in Corpus Christi—then make your way to Port Aransas.
Located on Mustang Island, Port A is beloved for its laid-back beaches, fishing piers, and dolphin sightings. It’s the kind of place where flip-flops are the dress code and the sunsets do all the talking.
🌾 West Texas: Buddy Holly, Route 66 & Outdoor Drama
In Lubbock, see where Buddy Holly got his start and sip wines grown in Texas soil. Then follow old-school neon signs along Route 66 in Amarillo, and don’t miss the Cadillac Ranch.
Come summer, visit Palo Duro Canyon—the second-largest canyon in the U.S.—and see the Texas Outdoor Musical, a spectacular production under the stars.
🌄 Big Bend, Marfa & Far West Texas: Rugged Beauty & Mystery
Big Bend National Park is Texas at its wildest: canyons, cacti, and river curves along the Rio Grande. Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Route, hike Santa Elena Canyon, or soak in the Hot Springs.
Nearby, Marfa is all creative quirk and desert silence. Art lovers and stargazers flock here to see the famed Marfa Lights.
Venture further to Terlingua for the legendary Chili Cookoff, visit Fort Davis National Historic Site, or explore artsy Alpine and El Paso’s cultural borderland vibes.
🌳 East Texas: Pine Trees, Lakes & Southern Charm
East Texas feels like another world—lush, green, and dotted with small towns that haven’t changed much in decades.
Paddle across Caddo Lake under mossy cypress trees, antique-shop in Jefferson, or drive the Azalea Trails in Tyler each spring.
Add in Southern-style cooking, historical homes, and peaceful lakes like Toledo Bend and Lake Livingston, and you’ll see why this region is a hidden gem for weekend escapes.
🗺️ Statewide Highlights: The True Texas Experience
• Bluebonnet Season (March–April)
• Texas BBQ Trails (Lockhart, Fort Worth, Luling)
• College Football (Hook ‘em!)
• Dance Halls (Luckenbach, Gruene Hall, Billy Bob’s)
• Floating the Rivers (Guadalupe, Comal, Frio)
• Courthouse Squares (Waxahachie, Georgetown, Brenham)
• Stock Shows & Rodeos (Houston, Fort Worth, San Antonio)
💛 Final Thoughts: My Texas, Then and Now
Texas isn’t just a place—it’s a spirit. It’s where people say hello to strangers, where sunsets are applauded, and where every stretch of road holds a story.
After four decades of living here, raising a family, and road-tripping through every corner, I can tell you this: Texas doesn’t just stay with you—it becomes part of you.