My brief Texas road trip
Discussion
I have just returned from an impromptu Texas road trip, well sort of – I thought I’d share my experiences with you all, for anyone who’s interested.
A client of mine had some issues stirring up in the US and wanted me to travel to Texas to help sort things out. So I quickly booked some flights and planned the trip. I needed to take a flight to Houston and then make a couple of stops across the state of Texas.
I booked a combination of hotels and motels and started to get really excited about the thought of seeing and experiencing a bit of the US we see in the movies but don’t get to experience in the usual haunts like California and Florida. As Texas is warm this time of year I also decided to book a convertible. For less than 30 quid a day through Expedia I got a ‘convertible – Ford Mustang or similar’ with Budget Rent-a-car. Bargain.
‘I have a bit of a problem’
So I arrived at Houston at about 5pm. After an hour of queuing and answering questions from po-faced, surly immigration people I was admitted to the US of A. A quick bus ride to the rental pick up area and I was taking delivery of this very colourful Chevy.
It was about 30 celcius and so I dropped the top immediately, cranked up the stereo and made for the Sam Houston Highway (Bellway 8). Being a bit of a seat of the pants traveller, I had not a dollar, dime or nickel on me. This quickly proved to be a problem, as within no more than 5 minutes I was sat beside the toll-booth on the ‘8’ telling the cashier that ‘I have a bit of a problem.’ In situations like this I tend to feel the need to bore people to death with my recent life story, but she was having none of it. She just shouted ‘pay it online, Honey’ and thrust a penalty notice in my face. “You might wanna take the next exit and get some caaaasssshhhh” came next. Good advice.
‘Just haul ass’
I pulled off at the next exit and shortly came to a petrol station. Sorry, a gaaaasssss station. The guy behind the counter was just able to understand my request for a ‘cash machine’. He pointed to an ‘ATM’ which did the job. He couldn’t however properly inform me of whether my intended route for San Antonio was the right one, so I decided to see whether someone might be able to help me in the stores right next to me.
There was a Popeyes Chicken, a Subway, a bank (doh!) and Texas Gun Mart. I couldn’t resist. To my surprise there was no security on the door and I just walked right in. Anyone who has played GTA V will be familiar with ‘Ammunation.' Well this was just like it, but with the weaponry limited to handguns under the glass counter, shotguns, hunting rifles and semi-automatic rifles that looked like some kind of assault weapon. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. There’s just something about these things that brings out the child/idiot in me.
For those who are interested, a .40 handgun starts at a little over $500, an alarmingly small price to pay for a concealable shooter, and anyone can buy one, as long as you have licence. To get a licence you just need to not be a [convicted] murderator or mentalist . I asked one of the 2 overweight gun-marters to confirm my intended route. ‘You got it man. Get yourself onto the I10 and just haul aaaaaaassss all the way to SA.’ Yet more sound advice.
“Just one stupid question if I may”
“Sure. Shoot” (no pun).
“Are these real guns?”
“Sure. Hey, where you from?”
“The Rhondda Valleys”. I was feeling mischievous.
“Ingerland?”
“Yes”. I figured there was no point clarifying Ingerlish geography, and anyway, he was as close as it would ever matter. So I thanked them, acted in a manner they probably consider either gay or pompous or both, and left. I took his advice and hauled my bottom.
‘We got us a convoy’
Ever since I was a kid I have had a love affair with all things petrolised. Never really had a thing for American cars though (except Mustangs and other ‘coops’ with roaring V8s – I currently have a 2014 V8 Stang). I especially had a thing for Amercian trucks. Kenworths, Mackworths, Peterbilts. I don’t know what it is. They just look awesome. The aggressive front ends with massive engine housings. The split windscreen. The headlights and spot. The chrome. The huge exhausts lifting right up in the air over the cab. They are awesome.
On every previous trip to the US (Florida/LA/San Francisco) I have been disappointed by not seeing any. But the I10 was full of them. Red ones pulling big white trailers, white ones pulling big red trailers, you name it…. At one point I passed one that had a black tractor pulling a shiny chrome oval shaped liquids trailer. It was absolutely stunning . Just like this:
I realized at this point that Texas was going to be everything I had hoped it would be. ‘Yes’ I thought to myself, ‘we got us a convoy’.
‘Stop it mother’
The interstate highway 10 is mostly a 2 lane road separated by a very wide grass central reservation. It runs for 150 miles or so from Houston to San Antonio and then way beyond. It passes though fields of barley and other crops. It is littered with rest areas containing gas stations, motels and heart hindering diners.
When I arrived at San Antonio it was dark and I was like a zombie. I had booked a US Travelodge thinking that it would be just like a UK one. It wasn’t. It was a filthy roadside motel, the kind of which you go to in order to murder someone, or be murdered, depending on your preference. It stank of socks. The layout of my ‘suite’ was classic motel chic. A fairly big room, brown carpet, dingy orange bedspread and curtains with a sink and an ensuite murder room with overhead shower. Think Bates Motel.
The next morning I phoned my wife and described my surroundings. She asked me if I remembered that film we watched where this couple break down during a storm and have to go to a motel – they discover a snuff film in their room and quickly realize it was filmed I the very same room. Brilliant, thanks for that. I was afraid to close my eyes whilst taking a shower. Couldn’t check out quick enough. Half expected to find my tyres slashed and all the wires, hoses and cables cut on the engine so I couldn’t escape.
Baseball anyone?
I won’t bore you with the next few days. I just worked. Nothing to report. I can’t even tell you anything about San Antonio, except that its got a pretty laid back vibe. Venture into the burbs and you find very pretty tree lines roads with very pretty houses displaying US flags and white picket fences. Most of the houses have mailboxes at the road side about a metre off the ground. All I could think of was how much fun it would have been to be 17 or 18 years old hanging out of the side of a mates car, travelling at speed and taking a baseball bat to them. Just like in the movies.
Up rainey street, no umbrella
Then I headed up to Austin for a few days. What a place. Very youthful, bustling vibe. Never seen so may bars and restaurants in my life. And they were all full. On my last night the Austin team took me for a night out Austin style. We went for dinner at Shua – without a doubt the best Asian food I have ever eaten. A kind of just sit anywhere place, even on someone else's table. Everyone just mucks in.
Then we went to a place called Rainey Street. Completely unique and unlike anything I have ever experienced. About 5 years ago the street was largely abandoned and the timber houses literally falling over. Then comes an entrepreneurial woman and decides to buy them (2008) and turn them into bars. So basically what you get it a tree lined street in which every house is a converted bar. Some have live music, but all are unique, and laid back. Its fabulous. One of the bars has been built out of a load of old shipping containers welded together – sounds crap, but trust me – its very, very cool. Rainey Street:
Anyway, long story short, I got trolleyed over a few hours and then we headed up to a club in the middle of town and stayed upon on the roof terrace until 2pm. Everyone was so friendly. Complete strangers talking to me freely. And they love the accent, even though I talk like Ivor the Engine.
Anyway, next day I wake up in my hotel room fully clothed, spread across the bed, with all the lights on and the door wide open. Slight headache, shall we say.
So its back in the Chevy and back down the I10. Hauling ass.
Boring. What about the car?
It was the V6 with an auto box. Makes a lovely sound, but as it is a big heavy car, it feels a little lazy most of the time. The box is working overtime even at cruising speeds when the accelerator is squeezed. It had done almost 20k miles and some of the switches were a bit ragged. Just like my Mustang, it doesn’t feel well screwed together.
When I bought the ‘Stang I naturally also considered an SS Camaro (said Ford is a V8) but just preferred the feel of the Ford. This rides better and with the auto box would certainly be easier to live with. I’d need to spend some quality time with an SS to know if I’d made the right choice.
The remainder of the trip was a bit of a repeat. Down south to Corpus Christi and back up to Austin, before heading back to Houston and flying home.
If anyone has ever wondered about Texas then I’d say it is definitely worth a visit. Great food, great hospitality, great people and a taste of the real USA that I have always wanted to see. Especially if you wander away from the highways, through the burbs and backroads. It’s a myth that the US doesn’t do bends. They do, and I’ve tested them. Oh, and I didn’t see a single speed camera, but as much plod as would be expected.
Great work by the Chevy. It never got boring, and I think the yellow sets it off nicely. It ended up covered in bugs and didn’t consume nearly as much juice as I might have expected. I was sad when my final journey back to Houston ended. Looking forward to going back.
Fond memories, and thanks for reading:
A client of mine had some issues stirring up in the US and wanted me to travel to Texas to help sort things out. So I quickly booked some flights and planned the trip. I needed to take a flight to Houston and then make a couple of stops across the state of Texas.
I booked a combination of hotels and motels and started to get really excited about the thought of seeing and experiencing a bit of the US we see in the movies but don’t get to experience in the usual haunts like California and Florida. As Texas is warm this time of year I also decided to book a convertible. For less than 30 quid a day through Expedia I got a ‘convertible – Ford Mustang or similar’ with Budget Rent-a-car. Bargain.
‘I have a bit of a problem’
So I arrived at Houston at about 5pm. After an hour of queuing and answering questions from po-faced, surly immigration people I was admitted to the US of A. A quick bus ride to the rental pick up area and I was taking delivery of this very colourful Chevy.
It was about 30 celcius and so I dropped the top immediately, cranked up the stereo and made for the Sam Houston Highway (Bellway 8). Being a bit of a seat of the pants traveller, I had not a dollar, dime or nickel on me. This quickly proved to be a problem, as within no more than 5 minutes I was sat beside the toll-booth on the ‘8’ telling the cashier that ‘I have a bit of a problem.’ In situations like this I tend to feel the need to bore people to death with my recent life story, but she was having none of it. She just shouted ‘pay it online, Honey’ and thrust a penalty notice in my face. “You might wanna take the next exit and get some caaaasssshhhh” came next. Good advice.
‘Just haul ass’
I pulled off at the next exit and shortly came to a petrol station. Sorry, a gaaaasssss station. The guy behind the counter was just able to understand my request for a ‘cash machine’. He pointed to an ‘ATM’ which did the job. He couldn’t however properly inform me of whether my intended route for San Antonio was the right one, so I decided to see whether someone might be able to help me in the stores right next to me.
There was a Popeyes Chicken, a Subway, a bank (doh!) and Texas Gun Mart. I couldn’t resist. To my surprise there was no security on the door and I just walked right in. Anyone who has played GTA V will be familiar with ‘Ammunation.' Well this was just like it, but with the weaponry limited to handguns under the glass counter, shotguns, hunting rifles and semi-automatic rifles that looked like some kind of assault weapon. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. There’s just something about these things that brings out the child/idiot in me.
For those who are interested, a .40 handgun starts at a little over $500, an alarmingly small price to pay for a concealable shooter, and anyone can buy one, as long as you have licence. To get a licence you just need to not be a [convicted] murderator or mentalist . I asked one of the 2 overweight gun-marters to confirm my intended route. ‘You got it man. Get yourself onto the I10 and just haul aaaaaaassss all the way to SA.’ Yet more sound advice.
“Just one stupid question if I may”
“Sure. Shoot” (no pun).
“Are these real guns?”
“Sure. Hey, where you from?”
“The Rhondda Valleys”. I was feeling mischievous.
“Ingerland?”
“Yes”. I figured there was no point clarifying Ingerlish geography, and anyway, he was as close as it would ever matter. So I thanked them, acted in a manner they probably consider either gay or pompous or both, and left. I took his advice and hauled my bottom.
‘We got us a convoy’
Ever since I was a kid I have had a love affair with all things petrolised. Never really had a thing for American cars though (except Mustangs and other ‘coops’ with roaring V8s – I currently have a 2014 V8 Stang). I especially had a thing for Amercian trucks. Kenworths, Mackworths, Peterbilts. I don’t know what it is. They just look awesome. The aggressive front ends with massive engine housings. The split windscreen. The headlights and spot. The chrome. The huge exhausts lifting right up in the air over the cab. They are awesome.
On every previous trip to the US (Florida/LA/San Francisco) I have been disappointed by not seeing any. But the I10 was full of them. Red ones pulling big white trailers, white ones pulling big red trailers, you name it…. At one point I passed one that had a black tractor pulling a shiny chrome oval shaped liquids trailer. It was absolutely stunning . Just like this:
I realized at this point that Texas was going to be everything I had hoped it would be. ‘Yes’ I thought to myself, ‘we got us a convoy’.
‘Stop it mother’
The interstate highway 10 is mostly a 2 lane road separated by a very wide grass central reservation. It runs for 150 miles or so from Houston to San Antonio and then way beyond. It passes though fields of barley and other crops. It is littered with rest areas containing gas stations, motels and heart hindering diners.
When I arrived at San Antonio it was dark and I was like a zombie. I had booked a US Travelodge thinking that it would be just like a UK one. It wasn’t. It was a filthy roadside motel, the kind of which you go to in order to murder someone, or be murdered, depending on your preference. It stank of socks. The layout of my ‘suite’ was classic motel chic. A fairly big room, brown carpet, dingy orange bedspread and curtains with a sink and an ensuite murder room with overhead shower. Think Bates Motel.
The next morning I phoned my wife and described my surroundings. She asked me if I remembered that film we watched where this couple break down during a storm and have to go to a motel – they discover a snuff film in their room and quickly realize it was filmed I the very same room. Brilliant, thanks for that. I was afraid to close my eyes whilst taking a shower. Couldn’t check out quick enough. Half expected to find my tyres slashed and all the wires, hoses and cables cut on the engine so I couldn’t escape.
Baseball anyone?
I won’t bore you with the next few days. I just worked. Nothing to report. I can’t even tell you anything about San Antonio, except that its got a pretty laid back vibe. Venture into the burbs and you find very pretty tree lines roads with very pretty houses displaying US flags and white picket fences. Most of the houses have mailboxes at the road side about a metre off the ground. All I could think of was how much fun it would have been to be 17 or 18 years old hanging out of the side of a mates car, travelling at speed and taking a baseball bat to them. Just like in the movies.
Up rainey street, no umbrella
Then I headed up to Austin for a few days. What a place. Very youthful, bustling vibe. Never seen so may bars and restaurants in my life. And they were all full. On my last night the Austin team took me for a night out Austin style. We went for dinner at Shua – without a doubt the best Asian food I have ever eaten. A kind of just sit anywhere place, even on someone else's table. Everyone just mucks in.
Then we went to a place called Rainey Street. Completely unique and unlike anything I have ever experienced. About 5 years ago the street was largely abandoned and the timber houses literally falling over. Then comes an entrepreneurial woman and decides to buy them (2008) and turn them into bars. So basically what you get it a tree lined street in which every house is a converted bar. Some have live music, but all are unique, and laid back. Its fabulous. One of the bars has been built out of a load of old shipping containers welded together – sounds crap, but trust me – its very, very cool. Rainey Street:
Anyway, long story short, I got trolleyed over a few hours and then we headed up to a club in the middle of town and stayed upon on the roof terrace until 2pm. Everyone was so friendly. Complete strangers talking to me freely. And they love the accent, even though I talk like Ivor the Engine.
Anyway, next day I wake up in my hotel room fully clothed, spread across the bed, with all the lights on and the door wide open. Slight headache, shall we say.
So its back in the Chevy and back down the I10. Hauling ass.
Boring. What about the car?
It was the V6 with an auto box. Makes a lovely sound, but as it is a big heavy car, it feels a little lazy most of the time. The box is working overtime even at cruising speeds when the accelerator is squeezed. It had done almost 20k miles and some of the switches were a bit ragged. Just like my Mustang, it doesn’t feel well screwed together.
When I bought the ‘Stang I naturally also considered an SS Camaro (said Ford is a V8) but just preferred the feel of the Ford. This rides better and with the auto box would certainly be easier to live with. I’d need to spend some quality time with an SS to know if I’d made the right choice.
The remainder of the trip was a bit of a repeat. Down south to Corpus Christi and back up to Austin, before heading back to Houston and flying home.
If anyone has ever wondered about Texas then I’d say it is definitely worth a visit. Great food, great hospitality, great people and a taste of the real USA that I have always wanted to see. Especially if you wander away from the highways, through the burbs and backroads. It’s a myth that the US doesn’t do bends. They do, and I’ve tested them. Oh, and I didn’t see a single speed camera, but as much plod as would be expected.
Great work by the Chevy. It never got boring, and I think the yellow sets it off nicely. It ended up covered in bugs and didn’t consume nearly as much juice as I might have expected. I was sad when my final journey back to Houston ended. Looking forward to going back.
Fond memories, and thanks for reading:
Doesn't look like the main multi-storey rental place at Iah. Unless the photo is elsewhere.... Hertz etc in Houston tend to have the cars with plate/speedy pass so you just speed through the fast lanes on 8 and wait for your receipt and interval times to arrive in the post, then try and beat them in the next run back to her airport. (Could have said about speedy pass if you'd asked 
)
)
Texas is amazingly big and you can drive there forever. I hit the Panhandle twice a year on my six monthly Route 66 trips, but there is a very remote road I like from Midland Tx to Marfa Tx…..noting up there but fading little towns and amazing empty roads….
The trains do not slow down coming through town
The small town of Marfa looks like something out of The Last PIcture Show
and out in the middle of nowhere sits…..
Not a real Prada store, but an art installation, complete with real Prada merchandise inside on display…and no door…
and the lonely landscape
and a Centre, the purpose of which was not obvious to me:
and endless numbers of abandoned cars….
The trains do not slow down coming through town
The small town of Marfa looks like something out of The Last PIcture Show
and out in the middle of nowhere sits…..
Not a real Prada store, but an art installation, complete with real Prada merchandise inside on display…and no door…
and the lonely landscape
and a Centre, the purpose of which was not obvious to me:
and endless numbers of abandoned cars….
Great write-up OP!
I've done afew USA road trips, and Texas was up there. California/ west coast blew it away for roads/ scenery imho. Vegas to LA, up the coast through Santa Barbara to San Fran, then back to Vegas taking in Yosemite and Death Valley. Twisties to rival Europes' finest, both in terms of road quality and scenery. Did that back in 08 in a convertible Mustang. Slush box and scuttle shake, but still a lovely torquey drive which I chucked about admirably (if I do say so myself).
Did every major city in Texas apart from Dallas. It's was a bucket list trip for me- afew things to be aware of though:
-Guns/ ammo for sale in massive superstores in the same aisle, with no more than a plastic 'clam-pack'/ unlocked glass cabinet for security. There were literally no staff around or anything. If I'd had a pair of scissors/ blade and a mind to do it I could've tooled up and went shooting.... not good
-Stayed in the beautiful downtown Hilton in Houston. Place was crawling with 'crickets', it was 'cricket season' apparently, to the point where the staff were sweeping them out of the (admittedly spectacular) lobby with big brooms. Natives didnt even seem to notice, me and the missus found them offensively large and jumpy, and neither of us are squeamish when it comes to bugs
-Heard open racism more than once. Two otherwise respectable looking suits in a hotel elevator casually discussing the 'rude n*gger' on the front desk. There were even afew approving smirks and sniggers in the elevator when that was said- that took the edge off things for us
-Employ the 'Vegas hotel room' strategy when booking rental cars. Book the most basic option, when you arrive you'll be offered various tempting upgrades for cheapness. We had a very humble Chevrolet HHR, but were offered a Camaro for about $75 more. The missus talked me out of it at the desk, then we walked through to the collection point we had to walk right past the bright red, chrome-wheeled Camaro. She had to physically restrain me from going back in to upgrade
-The food can be as good or as bad as you want it to be. Yes, you can have breakfast at Denny's and synthetic cheese on everything, but they also have some incredible fine dining restaraunts. That was a pleasant surprise....
I've done afew USA road trips, and Texas was up there. California/ west coast blew it away for roads/ scenery imho. Vegas to LA, up the coast through Santa Barbara to San Fran, then back to Vegas taking in Yosemite and Death Valley. Twisties to rival Europes' finest, both in terms of road quality and scenery. Did that back in 08 in a convertible Mustang. Slush box and scuttle shake, but still a lovely torquey drive which I chucked about admirably (if I do say so myself).
Did every major city in Texas apart from Dallas. It's was a bucket list trip for me- afew things to be aware of though:
-Guns/ ammo for sale in massive superstores in the same aisle, with no more than a plastic 'clam-pack'/ unlocked glass cabinet for security. There were literally no staff around or anything. If I'd had a pair of scissors/ blade and a mind to do it I could've tooled up and went shooting.... not good
-Stayed in the beautiful downtown Hilton in Houston. Place was crawling with 'crickets', it was 'cricket season' apparently, to the point where the staff were sweeping them out of the (admittedly spectacular) lobby with big brooms. Natives didnt even seem to notice, me and the missus found them offensively large and jumpy, and neither of us are squeamish when it comes to bugs
-Heard open racism more than once. Two otherwise respectable looking suits in a hotel elevator casually discussing the 'rude n*gger' on the front desk. There were even afew approving smirks and sniggers in the elevator when that was said- that took the edge off things for us
-Employ the 'Vegas hotel room' strategy when booking rental cars. Book the most basic option, when you arrive you'll be offered various tempting upgrades for cheapness. We had a very humble Chevrolet HHR, but were offered a Camaro for about $75 more. The missus talked me out of it at the desk, then we walked through to the collection point we had to walk right past the bright red, chrome-wheeled Camaro. She had to physically restrain me from going back in to upgrade
-The food can be as good or as bad as you want it to be. Yes, you can have breakfast at Denny's and synthetic cheese on everything, but they also have some incredible fine dining restaraunts. That was a pleasant surprise....
Dr JonboyG said:
Glad you enjoyed it - next time you can come to the rest of the country which is about 1000x nicer (apart from Florida, which is as awful as Texas).
Agree,,,I have driven endless miles in the US.For those interested in an end-to-end guide to the seven states of Route 66 from Chicago to LA, I have one in a fairly advanced built in this thread...just have to finish CA and will update the thread when It is done:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=140...
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