My family, on both sides, is from Texas. I, however, was born in Iowa. I did not move to Texas until I was 26. My parents had moved back a few years earlier, and I had grown up hearing their nostalgic descriptions of the state. Their Christmas photographs featuring the palm trees in the front lawn were an admitted factor in my decision to move down myself.
I’ve lived here two years now, and recently realized that I don’t get very far out of town. I blame this on living so close to Austin. In addition to being the state capital (and formerly capital of the Republic of Texas); Austin is also the Live Music Capital of the World and the home of the largest urban bat colony in North America.
Round Rock, where I live, is a small city rapidly expanding under the influence of Dell Computers, which is headquartered here. It’s named after a round rock. Really. The rock marked the best spot to ford Brushy Creek on the way to the Chisholm Trail.
At any rate, to remedy my lack of attention to the other parts of the state, I had a marvelous idea. I would visit every single city and town in all of Texas. Upon reflection, I realized that this was insane. So I compromised on a more rational goal. Beginning in January of 2010 I will visit every county seat in all of Texas. There are 254 of them. I shall attempt to visit at least two each month. On the way I will stop, experience, and photograph the assorted wonders of the Texas countryside, with my intrepid armadillo sidekick, Friendly. The first project, of course, will be designing and making Friendly. My first destination is Georgetown, TX, my own county seat. Please send suggestions and requests for places to visit!
... And I Will Go to Texas! 