You know you are in Texas when you see the 80mph signs. They flashed by so fast I couldn’t take a picture of them. We were the slow pokes compared to those cars trying to make good on the speed limits. I was able to check out this sign:

Rest Area sign.

On a side note about rest areas: Why are all the signs over 10′ off the ground? I would assume in the future someone will think that Giants roamed the land. “See the signs indicate very tall people lived here.”

We did stop at a rest stop and noticed the bees checking out some flowering pine? I don’t know what tree it actually is, but you could tell that the area recently received rain and the plants all over taking advantage. Pretty…

Pretty Pine – knotty and worn

Bees buzzing around the pretty little flowers

Then we stopped for lunch. As we walked around the truck, we saw a terrible sight. One of the back passenger side tires was blown and torn. The outside tire was also bad. We called the folks up. Luckily, a tire service was just 2 miles away. We cautiously limped to their location.

Truck tires in the middle of nowhere in Texas

The most wonderful experience then happened. The tire technician changed out the tires in less than 30 minutes. We were back on the road soon after. We couldn’t believe our luck. Their service was impeccable. If you are going to have tire trouble in the middle of Texas, make sure you are close to these guys!!

We didn’t know what to make of our next stop. Small towns next to super highways are sometimes dubious. We stayed at a hotel chain that had up to this time was pretty reliable concerning quality. We decided not to eat at their free breakfast bar after discovering

Coffe maker – filter holder exposed

We don’t know many people who use their garbage disposal flapper as a coffee filter holder. Very creative because it fit perfectly. Creativity did not win over my stomach automatically saying…not this time little lady.

So long Texas.  Maybe we will be back along the southern border closer to the water… in our boat.  We bought a boat?!?!