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Writer's pictureJann Alexander

15 Things Learned From 1440 Miles of Texas In Six Days

There are miles and miles of Texas, as Bob Wills famously sang long before Asleep at the Wheel recorded their live video, and I saw 1440 of ’em in six days on a road trip to the Texas Panhandle. Here’s what I learned.


1. The buffalo still do roam—within their corrals. But if they start eyeing you, don’t count on that fence.

Eyes On by Jann Alexander ©2015

When Bison Play Eye Spy, Beware by Jann Alexander ©2015


2. Texas is ready-made for iPhone panoramas.

Caprock Panorama | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander ©2015

Caprock Canyon Panorama | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander ©2015


3. You can get a town named after you, if you start one up with your cereal fortune.

Utopian Dream by Jann Alexander ©2015

Utopian Dream: Post, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015


4. Texans take real good care of the 1930s gas stations that sell their favorite commodity, oil.

Gasing Up on the Mother Road, Route 66 by Jann Alexander ©2024


5. Folks are right friendly in Texas, and purty dang proud of their 1930s cafes.

Hazel at U Drop Inn, Shamrock, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015

Hazel with Karl at U Drop Inn, Shamrock, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015


6. There’s more glamour in small Texas towns than you’d expect.

Glamour in Abilene, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015

Glamour in Abilene, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015


7. There’s always somewheres fancy to visit.

Fancy, Abilene, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015

Fancy in Abilene, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015


8. Every Texas town keeps its treasures in a junk shop.

Forever Treasures, Dalhart, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015

Forever Treasures, Dalhart, Texas by Jann Alexander ©2015


9. Though crime doesn’t pay in Texas, thanks to those Texas Rangers, it pays to brake for historical markers.

I Brake for Historical Markers by Jann Alexander ©2015

I Brake for Historical Markers by Jann Alexander ©2015


10. You won’t eat anything greener than iceberg lettuce.

Coopers | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander © 2015

Not Much Green at Coopers, Llano, Texas | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander © 2015


11. You’ll have plenty of choices for burgers and barbecue.

Take Your Pick | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander © 2015

Take Your Pick, As Long As It’s Meat | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander © 2015


12. The tallest building in any small Texas town is the courthouse, where you can get to its heart and history.

Clarendon Courthouse by Jann Alexander ©2015

Clarendon Courthouse by Jann Alexander ©2015


13. You’ll spend a lot of time at train crossings.

Farm to Market | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander © 2015

Farm to Market | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander © 2015


14. Most of the bugs in Texas will find your windshield and front grill.

1440 Miles of Bugs | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander © 2015

1440 Miles of Bugs | iPhoneography by Jann Alexander © 2015


15. If there are do-overs in life, then next time, be born with mineral rights.

Mineral Rights by Jann Alexander ©2015

Mineral Rights by Jann Alexander ©2015


You can learn a lot about Texas in six days—as I did, when I wanted to soak up life in the Panhandle to research the two novels I’m writing. And with 465 photographs in those 1440 miles, and even more inspiration to show for it, my creative well got a much-needed refill. In fact, it’s brimming over. So as the friendly Texas folk say, y’all come back to visit Pairings real soon. I’m serving up more Texas lore, images and tall tales, with those two books in the works. 


What did you learn on your last road trip?


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