The Texas State FlowerThe bluebonnet

is to Texas what the Shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to

Japan, the lily to France, the rose to

England and the tulip to Holland

Of course, taking the car and following the highways are a preferred method in contemporary times While bluebonnets generally grow in every corner Of the state but Central Texas and the Hill country seem to be the heart of the Texas bluebonnet country.

In a state full of beautiful things, it's not unusual that the hills and valleys of Texas are covered each spring season with the delicate but hardy colorful flower we call the bluebonnet. Viewing bluebonnets in Texas is about as easy as hitching up the horses and heading out across the countryside for a long drive in the spring.

Texas Longhorn Cattle

Texas Capital BuildingAustin Texas

During the springtime in Texas, in the open fields and along the country roads, spontaneous colors of nature are out of control, blanketing the hillsides with colorful Texas bluebonnets. These iridescent blue flowers seem to reflect the hues of the blue sky overhead. It's no wonder that the bluebonnet is the official flower of the Lone Star State.

Cattle in foot high Bluebonnets

TexasJack Rabbit

FACTS ABOUT TEXAS - The capital city of Austin is made from Texas pink granite. The dome of the building stands seven feet higher than that of the nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C. Austin is considered the live music capital of the world.

Texas is home to Dell and Compaq computers and central Texas is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of the south

The King Ranch in Texas is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.

Texas is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of territorial annexation.

The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845

When Texas was annexed in 1845 it retained the right to fly its flag at the same height as the national flag.

Texas has the first domed stadium in the country. The structure was built in Houston and opened in April 1965

Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other comparable area in North America.

The Heisman trophy is named for John William Heisman the first full-time coach and athletic director at Rice University in Houston.

The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the world's largest rose garden. It contains 38,000 rose bushes representing 500 varieties of roses set in a 22-acre garden.

The state's cattle population is estimated to be near 16 million. El Paso is closer to California than it is to Dallas.

Texas' largest county is Brewster with 6,208 square miles.

The first word spoken from the moon on July 20, 1969 was Houston.

A Flower of hopeA Flower of blueAnd greeting fromA Texan true

Jack CrossTexas City Texas

jcross002@comcast.net

One Texas industry that thrived after the Civil War was cattle. Due to its long history as a center of the industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy. The state's economic fortunes changed in the early 20th century, when oil discoveries initiated an economic boom in the state. With strong investments in universities, Texas developed a diversified economy and high tech industry in the mid-20th century. As of 2010 it is at the top of the list of the most Fortune 500 companies.. With a growing base of industry, the state leads in many industries, including agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronic, aerospace, and biomedical science. It leads the nation in export revenue since 2002 and has the second highest gross state product..

The End

Music: Top of the WorldBy the Carpenters