I lived in Dallas, Texas for many years and moved to Fredericksburg, VA about a year ago. In some ways Texas and Virginia are alike, but in many ways they are very different. Both states have diverse cultures, rich history, many museums, prestigious colleges and universities, and an influx of people from other states seeking a better way of life.
             Texas is a much larger state than Virginia. Texas is 261,914 square miles with a population of 21,319,300 people compared to Virginia being 39,598 square miles and having a population of 7,187,100 people. Both states have a coastline with beaches that are a hotspot for vacations. Both states have fresh seafood in the coastal towns, Virginia, from the Atlantic Ocean and Texas, from The Gulf of Mexico.
             Texas is divided into seven regions. The Pan Handle has big skies, magnificent sunsets, great plains and vistas that will take your breath away. The Prairies and Lakes Regions boast exciting nightlife, shopping, sports, amusement parks and cultural pursuits from art museums to the symphony. The Piney Woods have acres of pine forests and historic towns. The Hill Country is rich with music, rolling hills, spring fed rivers, and dude ranches. The Big Bend Country is an untamed paradise of colorful mountains and desert floors. The South Texas Plains is the gateway to Old Mexico featuring Spanish missions, theme parks, and a rich blend of Texas and Mexico. The Gulf Coast has over 600 miles of beaches, sand dunes and cultural attractions.
             No matter where you go in Texas, you can always find something of beauty and things to do. A lot of people think Texas is flat and everyone is a cowboy. Nothing could be further from the truth. You can find rivers and lakes, rolling hills and mountains, mile after mile of trees and forests and beautiful beaches. Unless you live close to them, you have to drive forever to get to the mountains or the beach.
             There are a lot of ranches in Texas, but there are also...