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Texas is known as the Lone Star State. Because of its extensive history in the cattle business, Texas is also widely portrayed as the Cowboy State. Another industry Texas is known for is its oil wells with the first one being discovered in 1901 south of Beaumont. More and more oil fields were discovered which eventually resulted in an oil boom. By 1972 Texas oil production reached an amazing 3 million barrels a day. According to Wikipedia, the royalties provide a significant income source to the Permanent University Fund for the Texas public universities.

John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. Most people can tell you where they were when they received the shocking news. The Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson, was then sworn in as the next President. The swearing in ceremony was conducted at Love Field Airport in Dallas, on Air Force One.

When you visit the state of Texas, The Alamo is a “must see”. There are over two and a half million people who visit The Alamo every year in San Antonio to learn about or celebrate the courage and sacrifice of the defenders of The Alamo who fought bravely for the cause of liberty.

We try to travel to Texas at least once a year to visit relatives and love to sample the Texas cuisine. The Texas tamales are wonderful and there are four different kinds that I’ve tried – bean, beef, spinach and chicken. My husband prefers baby back ribs with Texas BBQ rib seasoning – he can’t get enough of them; add some Texas beer bread and tortilla chips with some Texas Pepper Works salsa – yee-haw, he’s in heaven!

Let me tell you about Texas Pepper Works salsas made in Austin: you’re probably familiar with the Tex-Mex cuisine, but there are also solid Creole, German and Scotch Irish elements in the Texas cuisine with the Raspberry Chipotle salsa; the Barn Burner-Call 911 hot salsa and the Queso Blanco which is a blend of Monterey Jack Cheese with a touch of jalepenos and whisper of cilantro – Omigosh!!

Of course we can’t forget about the sports teams in Texas: Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Baylor Bears, Texas University Longhorns, Texas A & M Aggies, Texas Tech Red Raiders and Texas Christian Horned Frogs to name just a few. Texas fans are SERIOUS about their sports teams and their loyalty is unquestioned. You’re sure to see a few tailgate parties and backyard BBQ’s going on; you may see a Dallas Cowboys apron and chef’s hat – even the little ones get in the act with their own Dallas Cowboys dinnerware.

A few famous people from Texas:

Davy Crockett-frontiersman and U.S. Congressman, died at the Alamo
Miriam “Ma” Ferguson-first female governor of Texas
Sandra Day O’Connor-First woman Justice of the Supreme Court
George H.W. Bush-41st President of the United States (born in MA)
George W. Bush-43rd President of the United States, Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000 (born in CT)
Dwight Eisenhower-34th President of the United States (born in Denison, but raised in Kansas)
Lyndon B. Johnson-36th President of the United States
Laura Bush-former first Lady of the United States (Wife of George W.)
Lady Bird Johnson-former first lady (wife of Lyndon B. Johnson)
Dan Blocker-actor “Hoss Cartwright” on Bonanza
Carol Burnett-actress, comedian, singer, writer The Carol Burnett Show