I started my road trip a month later than I expected because I wanted my site finished before I took off across Texas to direct people to it, obviously that doesn't seem to matter.

Houston Mayor Bill White, who has thrown his hat into the Governors race has only a portion of his site finished as of this moment, the front page simply asks for input on what we expect from him as Governor.  This is what I wrote, paraphrased a little...

"I would like to see you finish what you started and promised in Houston.

The SOB's are still open, the Penthouse Club, your only success has reopened, MSNBC used Houston in their Sex Trafficking report, and every highway but the Katy Freeway is still tore up.

If you cannot complete your duties to Houston, how much more-so will it be for Texas"

I can extol his virtues till the end of time, but in my mind his only true fame is saying the "F" word to two elderly women from Georgia. (in case you didn't recognize it, that's sarcasm)

To say the least, I was stunned that he decided to run for Governor, but with Kaye holding on to her Senate seat (just in case), I guess he didn't have a choice if he wanted to continue his political career.  I have no political background and I only need to prove myself, but he has a record that will be thrown in his face repeatedly, why would he do this knowing what a dismal failure he was as Houston's Mayor.

From tearing up every major road in Houston and keeping them that way, to misusing his office (okay, so it was only unethical not illegal), what in all that instills confidence in his ability to lead Texas into the future.  I have to prove myself, he has to disprove himself.  I am anxiously waiting to see how he dances around this one.

Well it turns out Texas is as big as they say.  Left Houston and drove to San Antonio where I took a break to tour the River Walk.  After an hour of that, I set out for Sonora but only made it to a rest stop near Kerrville, got some great pictures there.  

Headed to Fort Stockton, a dissapointment, where's the Fort...oh...that's it?  Took a detour to Big Bend, which costs $20 dollars for a 7 day pass, a 2 hour pass costs...$20, saved my money and turned around, got some great pics though.  Went back to Marathon and took Hwy 90 to I-10 at Van Horn, then onto El Paso.

I have heard a lot of things about El Paso, you know, "El Paso ain't even Texas, it's a Mexico - New Mexico Hybrid", "When you go to El Paso, be careful, there are places they don't like Gringos".  I am here to tell you that rumor is COMPLETELY false.  The people were great and as freindly as any Texas town.  I did not meet anyone that couldn't speak enough English to communicate.  Interestingly, 1/2 the employees at the Wal-Mart 2 miles from my house in Houston, can't speak enough English to tell you where to find anything.

The 2 malls I visited had great shops, really great music in them, and a lot of very pretty women.  The town is vibrant and traffic is not too bad.  My only complaint, being an East Texas boy, is too much dirt, not enough trees.  Other than that, I could live here.

Off to Odessa - Midland, chat U then...