I spent nine days with my wife in the Houston, TX MSA. We realy enjoyed our vacation, our visit with her family, and I have learned very much. This trip to Texas was an eye opener, and here is why.

For years I've listened to Oklahomans rave on and on about Texas and how great it is, and how much it puts our state to shame. In all honesty, I am looking forward to moving to Texas. It will be whole new experience.

However, as inviting as Texas is to many in Oklahoma, I witnessed many uninviting parts of Texas. I once read in the Tulsa Now forum of a member who posted that crossing the border from Oklahoma into Texas was like passing from the dark into the light. He was traveling on US 75 en route to Dallas to hook up with I-45 to Houston. I traveled I-35 from OKC to Dallas before heading to Houston. Believe it or not, I saw progress on both sides of the state line.

I-35 is for the most part being rebuilt clear to the Texas border, and there seened to be very little litter along Oklahoma's stretch of interstate. The on an off ramps are long with allowable flexibility. Once crossing into Texas, the on and off ramps are about as long as a driveway. The only evidence of progress in Gainesville is its outlet mall... not much outside of that. Yes, there was a lot of construction in Sanger and Denton, but as much as Oklahomans preach about how Texas highwyas are better, it seems that TxDOT does not have the IQ level required to widen I-35 where it is most critical... through Denton. In SE Dallas, there is a huge eyesore to behold, and it makes Dallas look uninviting.

In Houston along the Hardy Tollway, miles and miles of blight made Oklahoma City's poorest neighborhoods look middle class. No joke.

Indeed, Texas has a lot of job opportunuties and a large robust economy. After all, there are pro teams aplenty as well as a lot of shopping, and classy areas such as the Galleria area in Houston. It was really nice. However, does that make it okay for Texas to have dumpy looking structures along a highway? Is it okay for Texas to have a lot of litter along its highways (yes, it really does)?

We talk about Oklahoma like if things can't get any worse than this. We make it so that if we see one abandoned house or trailer near a highway in Oklahoma, suddenly the wole state is poor. After seeing what I've seen in Texas, it makes me appreciate Oklahoma City a lot more.

I'll be honest, I love Houston's buildings. They are architectural wonders. There economy, schools, and transportation is an example to follow, however, Texas infrastructure has to be good to keep up with 22 million residents. Yes, Texas as no state income tax. They sell cold strong beer and wine in grocery stores and they have a lottery. Most of all, Texans have their fair share of conservatives. Hey, Texas banned the lottery until 1991. These are things Oklahoma can change, but it takes pride and a pioneer spirit, the two things most of Oklahoma does not have. It seems we take our state for granted, and I hope someday that can change.