I don’t have to tell you that Texas is a really vast state. Driving aaalllllll the way through it takes time– and can be a slog, even with frequent stops. I snapped a lot of photos to help pass the time.
I saw my first “Selfie Studio” in a suburb in East Texas– and saw plenty of gas station art that blew my mind. Their legendary devotion to tacos holds up– one woman who had just moved to Texas said she felt like “Tacos again, really?” when she and her friends went out to eat. Every time I am in Texas, I wonder why Breakfast Tacos aren’t a staple on menus around the country.
We happened to be passing through the state not too long after the 2022 mid-term elections– which meant the political signs were frequent and often vitriolic. Despite a somewhat libertarian, “Don’t Tread on Me” vibe that Texas extolls, they don’t seem to mind expressing their political or religious views explicitly (& loudly)– unlike the more passive-aggressive Southeastern United States.
For instance, the billboard that read “One City Under God” in Atlanta, Texas– not particularly subtle.
Texans also had no problem speaking their mind about the current president and his policies, as we saw ham-handed jokes about President Biden everywhere we went. Even driving all the way through very politically-conservative Arkansas, I had not seen the level of bile that everyday Texans heaved at the administration. Texas always makes sure it is being heard.
Despite traveling by car in Texas for a decade, one thing I was somewhat surprised to see– the amount of local businesses that used their signposts– ones that would normally advertise a special or an event– asking people EXPLICITLY to “Vote Republican”. Bars, diners, tire shops– devoting both printed and temporary sign space over to one party.
I do want to point out that not all the signs felt unwelcoming– Texas has a frequent use of these guys, which I always love– they can bring warmth to anyplace, even a state that can feel like it’s aggressively telling you to step off.
Oh, and if you don’t know about the wonderland that is Buc-ee’s, I suggest you check it out.
Posted by Sun
