Lone Star Travelers Blog

We picked up a free booklet on a recent visit to a Texas State Park called “Tall Tales of Texas.”

Here are some of the trivia facts I found most interesting.

It is estimated that Texas has approximately 11,500 historic markers alongside it’s highways and by-ways.

The state bird of Texas is the mockingbird.  There are four other states also naming the mockingbird their state bird.  They are Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.

The monarch butterfly is the state insect of Texas.

The city of Canyon, Texas is near two outstanding canyons.  They are Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro Canyon.  Caprock Canyons is home to the Texas State Bison Herd.  Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States, taking it’s number two spot right behind the Grand Canyon.  Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to the outdoor drama “Texas” performed every summer at the amphitheater in the canyon, telling the story of the state of Texas in song and dance.

There are nine different species of rattlesnakes living in Texas.  You may find them in tall grass and rocky outcroppings.

The guitar is the official musical instrument of the state of Texas.

The square dance is the official dance.

The city of Texarkana is is situated in both Texas and Arkansas.

“Tall Tales of Texas” has written that in 1897, a horned lizard became trapped in the marble cornerstone of the county courthouse in Eastland, Texas.  Thirty-one years later, when the building was torn down, the lizard was found alive and well.  Locals named him Old Rip for Rip Van Winkle.

The Dinosaur Capital of Texas is Glen Rose, Texas.  Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas contains dinosaur tracks over 113 million years old.

The state plant of Texas is the prickly pear cactus.  The fruits of most prickly pears are edible and sold in stores under the name “tuna.”  The branches of the prickly pears, also known as pads, may be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.  They are sold in stores under the name “nopalito.”

There is actually a Texas BBQ Trail stopping at mouth watering family owned barbeque joints in the vicinity of Austin Texas including Elgin, Lockhart, Luling and Taylor Texas.

The oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant in the world is in Dublin, Texas.  Belly up to the soda fountain to taste the original Dr Pepper blended with Texas’ own Imperial Pure Cane Sugar.  Cases of bottles or cans are available for sale to take home.

The Six Flags that have flown over Texas are Spain, France, Mexico, Texas as an independent country, the Confederacy and the United States.

There is a lot more to learn and know about the great state of Texas.  For now I am going to end with the Lone Star Flag.  Once the symbol of the Republic of Texas it features a five-pointed white star on a blue background, a white strip for unity and a red stripe representing courage.  Texas became a state in 1846 and has kept the same flag ever since.  Texas is the only state which was once an independent country.