Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said, “There’s no such thing as fun for the whole family,” but Fort Worth is one place that might prove him wrong. 

My previous post on the Fort Worth Stockyards (Fort Worth: Cowboys and Culture, Part One) emphasized the cowboy influence that is both part of the city’spast and present Residents here, however, may be even more proud of the cultural gems Fort Worth has to offer with its myriad of museums and attractions that can accommodate every member of the family. ... Read More

One of my favorite Chinese dishes is egg fu yung. It’s a fabulous omelet-like dish of beaten eggs, noodles, vegetables and meat or seafood and is pan or deep fried for a crispy, golden crust. It is traditionally served with a rich brown sauce or gravy and steamed white rice. I enjoy the dish because I find it as hearty and satisfying as it is light and delicate.

I recently visited three San Antonio Chinese restaurants seeking out this specialty. First on my journey was the Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant— a popular place.... Read More

Summer road trips are underway and, with Texas being where it is – smack in between both coasts – it’s a good bet many visiting cars, vans and RVs will be gracing its interstates. If you happen to be one of them, you’ll have to stop for gas eventually (this isn’t a state you’ll pass through on one tank of gas), I suggest you stop at one of my favorite gas stations – Buc-ee’s. It’s not like you’re really going to be able to avoid it anyway. If your kids have eyes, they won’t miss the bright billboards with the irresistible smiling beaver and words like “fudge” on them. And, sure, spiking kids up with sugar while restricted to the space limitations of a vehicle on a cross country trip is nobody’s idea of fun. But, truthfully, this stop may be more about you than about them. ... Read More

The temperatures are staying high here in Texas, and that means many people will be heading to the beach and to Galveston. The island took a major hit from Hurricane Ike in 2008 and there was major devastation, but Galveston has been through this before and is now well on its way back.  As in previous storms, things will be a little different and a little better in some regards. A new "Pleasure Pier” mini amusement park is under construction on one of the beachfront piers, most hotels have been fully renovated and some new ones have opened. Some new restaurants are also popping up around town. Here are a few suggestions for planning your visit:... Read More

Years ago when I was living in west Texas, a friend from California asked “so, does everybody wear 10-gallon hats and cowboy boots”?  Ugh, I thought, another Texas stereotype.  “Yes,” I responded, “and we all have big hair too.”

As put off as I was with the stereotype, there is some truth in it.  Texas has a rich western heritage and in some parts of the state this culture is alive and thriving. As one of AAA's inspectors in Texas, I've seen it up close. Fort Worth has long been known as “cow town” and though it tends to want to dismiss that image in favor of its equally rich arts culture, there may be no better place to get a taste of the American  West.  Unlike its neighbor to the east, Dallas, Fort Worth embodies the images and life of the Texas cowboy and the Stockyards National Historic District is a great way to see that.... Read More

After driving hundreds of thousands of miles over the past decade inspecting hotels, restaurants, campgrounds and attractions, I've found it is all too easy to just spread out the road map or use TripTik Travel Planner to help determine the most efficient route to get from one place to another. I would guess that most people do the same thing without consulting additional sources of information.

Many areas of the southwest part of the country are experiencing severe drought conditions once again due to the current El Nina /El Nino climatic phases originating in the South Pacific Ocean.  That, combined with persistent strong winds and tinder-dry grasslands and trees, sets the stage for wildfires. Yesterday, I was driving in west Texas with the closest town some twenty miles behind me when I noticed some smoke on the horizon. ... Read More

On the way to New Mexico from Dallas, we paused to spend some time in the Texas town of Lubbock. The first stop was the Buddy Holly Center, showcasing the singer who was born in Lubbock in 1936.  It’s housed in a rail depot once used by the Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway Company and converted into the Buddy Holly Center in 1997. ... Read More

I love everything about south Texas…its western element, the rugged countryside, along with the diverse people, customs and food. Add a coastal dimension to this culture and you’ll understand why the Texas gulf bend near Corpus Christi is one my favorite places in the world. I know it’s winter, but around here that’s usually mid-70s, sunny and when the crowds are away, it’s a great time to play.... Read More

In just two days in Houston we saw quite a bit, from the sobering to the lighthearted. The first stop was the incredibly moving Holocaust Museum Houston, which chronicles the rise of Hitler through his European Domination and his Final Solution plan including the concentration camps and ends with their liberation.  Make sure you take the docent tour, it is worth it.... Read More

Dallas, Texas is one of my favorite towns.  It is definitely a big city, but it has a Midwestern feel.  This trip to Dallas allowed me to do several of my favorite things: I visited some old college friends, added to my shot glass collection, visited a historic area and saw a great aquarium.
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The Dallas World Aquarium is located in the heart of downtown in the historic ... Read More