Size Ain't Everything
Since all my books are set around the great state of Texas and many of you have never actually been here - not even passing through one of our airports - I decided to talk about one aspect of it this month.
Why now? It's October, and October is the month of the State Fair of Texas held in Dallas every year. The mascot of the fair is a really huge Texas cowboy named Big Tex. How big? From bigtex.com here are Big Tex's measurements:
| Height | 55 ft. | |
| Chest | 33 ft. 9 in. | |
| Biceps | 10 ft. 9 in. | |
| Boots | 12 ft. | |
| Hands | 5 ft. 6 in. | |
| Head | 10 ft. in height | |
| Inseam | 20 ft. | |
| Shoulders | 13 ft. | |
| Sleeves | 27 ft. | |
| Neck | 11 ft. | |
| Waist | 27 ft. | |
| Collar | 16 ft. 8 in. | |
| Hat | 95 gallon | |
| Boot size | 96 | |
Big as Texas... almost.
Here's an example of just how big Texas really is. These states and regions can all fit inside Texas at the same time:
All of New England - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Mid-Atlantic States - New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia
Midwest States - Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia
South Carolina and Hawaii
If I counted right, that's 15 states - close to 1/3 of our total states - that fit inside Texas at one time, with room to spare. In addition, three of the ten largest U.S. cities are in Texas: Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas.
Yeah, we're big. Yeah, we're proud. Does bigger always mean better? Nope. But it's what we have, so that's what we work with. Visit us sometime. You'll find out how friendly most of us are.
I can't speak for that old grouchy-pants over there in the corner 😉
Happy Halloween, y'all!
Carol
Comments
Your only competition is Alaska.
Enjoy your Halloween.
Rachna - Cool! Each state here is unique, Texas included.
Vic - Welcome to Texas! I love it here, too.
Leigh - I love SA :)
EC - Funny! He is one big cowboy, that's for sure.
Natalie - Good that you got to visit Dallas again. I've never been to our State Fair. Supposed to be a lot of fun.
HR - The barbecue is outstanding. Everyone has their own recipes and we all have our favorites, but rarely do you find any that's just plain bad.
Diane - Although I believe that Texas is the only state that has the right to withdraw, I've heard no real rumblings of that happening. But it's a whole new world every day right now, or so it seems.
Denise - How cool! I'm assuming a cattle station is the same thing as a ranch??? That's mighty big. Your country is about the same size as ours, I think.
Bish - So true. Two days top to bottom or side to side. Love the dinner comment.
We live in a big province up here, too. I'm amazed that all of those states would fit inside Texas - very cool!
Your state is right up there in size, too! I've driven across it a couple of times, so I have first-hand experience. Love your Bluebells. I can't grow them here in CA.
I've visited just the once many years ago. It was a super brief, flyby visit. Would love to be able to visit again and have a better look around.
CLee - When I was a kid, I always thought he looked kind of scary, LOL.
Lynda - Every part of Texas is different.
Liza - I love your area of the country. You can drive through three or four states between breakfast and lunch. Not so here unless you live near the stateline someplace.