Gift for a friend

My friend from Seattle came down to Houston last year for a long weekend visit. Except for airplane stops in Dallas she had never been to Texas. Texas needs to be seen close-up to really appreciate the experience and to say you've really been here.

We did all the touristy things. Which had to include a trip to the Alamo and dinner at our favorite Tex-Mex joint. A trip to Texas wouldn't be complete without a stop at Buc-ee's.



Buc-ee's is a gas station/convenience store/restaurant/souvenir shop. It is a self-contained bit of Texas kitsch.

Personally, I find it a wonderful anthropological and social experience of Texas. It has developed a bit of a cult-like following. From their "Got Beaver" signs along I-10, to their "Beaver Nuggets" (which I'm not sure what they are but I'm pretty sure contain copious amounts of fat and sugar and are probably fried in some way), people are drawn to Buc-ee's. It is sort of a Mecca for travelers. And we seem to make our own pilgrimage whenever we travel.

Unfortunately, the Buc-ee's off of I-10 is pretty far off of I-10 and we missed it on our way home from San Antonio. Meaning that my friend only got to see the awesome signs along the freeway. We called it a teaser to get her to come back.

Since it was her birthday last week (yes I am late) and we want to drag her away from that new grandbaby of her's for another long weekend in Texas and because I needed a diet coke on the way home from Dallas, we bought her a little gift.

A Buc-ee's T-shirt. We think she'll love it.

If you are reading this Sally; "Happy Birthday from JR and I". The T-shirt is in the mail. Please come visit. Bring baby pictures or video. Video is always good. And if you can't bring yourself to leave that little angel for a long weekend we'll see you in Seattle at Christmas. That is how much I love you (oh and, my kids of course. I love them too. And my mom. And all our other friends). I'll brave the gray, the rain and the cold for all of you.

Love,
M