that the best place to be in Texas was dead center. Reason being, which ever way you go yer leavin ..........

Other than that..you must see Big Bend NP. San Antone is amazing. Corpus Christi is where Fermin lives, plus the Padre Island National seashore is a vacation you will not forget.

If you stay along I-35, you are not going to recognise much. Go 50 miles either side of that concrete deTexized stripe and you'll find Texas. Going west from Fort Worth, the Texas you remember will start when you cross the Brazos headed West. I make that trip most every weekend. Can't say much about East of Dallas. I don't go there much.

If you're far enough north, the stockyard area at Main & Exchange in Fort Worth is fun. Cowboys bring a "herd" of longhorns right through town at regularly scheduled times. The Tarantula Train makes short hauls around the area, and is well worth the ride. Lots of shopping, and Cattlmen's Steak House. It's all a bit touristy, but there is a lot of authentic history, well preserved as well.

By all means, go to Fredricksburg, west of Austin. German as can be, and your wife will love you for it.:) She can spend all the money shopping while you tour the Pacific War Museum. Nimitz was born and raised there. It's all *very* touristy, but fun, and if you like authentic German food, yer in heaven.

Gonzales, southeast of Austin. Not really "discovered", but a great little town with probably the best museum of Texas Revolution relics in the state, and the curator will talk your arm off.:) Also a great courthouse that still has the gallows, and old original jail.

The "Lonesome Dove" museum is at Texas State Univ. in San Marcos. All of the costumes, props, and Gus's holster rig and Dragoon, as well as Gus himself as he was hauled home with one leg.:)

While at the Alamo, check out ordering a Texas flag to be flown over the Alamo on the date of your choice, and then shipped to you later with a nice certificate. Guaranteed to wow your friends and neighbors.:)

JLF

Absolutely you should see the Texas Ranger Museum - awesome! San Antonio River Walk and the Alamo are great too. I assume you won't be going near Amarillo. If you were I'd suggest Palo Duro Canyon.

I"m glad you brought this up. I'm planning on heading that way later this year. Son in law is stationed at Ft. Hood. I planned on visiting the Texas Ranger Museum and the Alamo myself, wasn't sure what else.

I just used to like to stop and hang out in the different cafes in the Hill country. From Brady through Mason, through Fredricksburg and on down into Kerrville. I used to really enjoy hanging out with my FAther-in-law. He knew some good places.