Though he lived in five states before coming to Texas, Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836) is considered the Father of the Lone Star State, and it's from him the state capital gets its name. He died at the age of 43, but in his short life time, his efforts toward Texas' independence was unparalleled.

The statue here is located near the intersection of Highways 35 and 288 in Brazoria County, near Angleton.

Above and Left: Austin's Capitol Building and grounds

Downtown Austin has an abundance of uniquely-shaped buildings, many of which are banks.

Above: The Frost Bank tower

Below: The Wells Fargo tower

Above, left: St. Mary's Cathedral

Below, left: The Driskell Hotel

Above and Above Right are two of 11 houses that comprise what is called the Bremond Block Historic District in downtown Austin. They were built between 1850 and 1910 for the children of Eugene Bremond. Today, some are still private residences while others contain offices. They're located on Guadalupe and San Antonio Streets, within easy walking distance of the capitol grounds.

In stark contrast to the ultra-modern buildings of the state capital is tiny Reagan, Texas, on Highway Six north of Houston. It was the arrival of the steam train that put Reagan on the map in 1873. Today, the U.S. Post Office is the last standing building from that era.

A yellow-crowned night heron searches a ditch along Farm Road 646 in Dickinson, Texas, Galveston County.

Cypress trees grow in the swampy waters of Martin Dies State Park near Jasper in east Texas.

One of these days I want to get into Houston and get some good shots of its beautiful skyline. Until then, these following six shots will have to do.

Texas bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush dot the byways and highways ,

The bluebonnet is Texas' state flower.

For several years now I've been driving the somewhat monotonous Interstate 10 across Texas. Sometimes I 'm headed east and sometimes west. But whichever direction I'm going, I notice this line of trees at a rest stop just east of Van Horn. I've always thought them quite picturesque. So this time, I stopped. I had already passed them heading west, so I turned around at the next exit and backtracked. From the road, you can't see the buildings in the background, so I just have to live with them being in my picture.

And back on Highway 90 was this nice collection of silos. What purpose they hold, I do not know.

Looking northwest from the same rest stop, you get this gorgeous mountain view.

A little farther west on Interstate 10, there is an exit for Highway 90. I decided to take a little detour and see what's down the road. From there, there was another road, Farm Road 1523. It was there that I found this cotton field.

Whether you're in San Antonio or Austin, Palmetto State Park is only about an hour away. Named for its dwarf-sized palms, Palmetto is a small state park with many of the amenities of larger ones. The San Marcos River runs through the park, offering all the water activities one may want. Camping and hiking possibilities are also available in this relaxing and scenic state park. This and the next three pictures were taken in Palmetto.

It's casually known as Lost Maples State Park, but its official name is the Lost Maples State Natural Area, with focus on the protection and preservation of its natural state. Lost Maples is particularly popular in the fall when its autumn colors make a spectacular appearance, especially the rare stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples which is protected by the park. The Sabinal River meanders through the park which is located west of San Antonio near the southern edge of Texas Hill Country. This and the next four pictures were taken in Lost Maples, unfortunately before the leaves started to change.

Not to be honored, perhaps rather to be scoffed, Judge Roy Bean was, in his own words, the Law West of the Pecos. Born in 1825 in Kentucky, he arrived in Texas during the Civil War era, after being in various locations, including Mexico, until he had to flee the area, usually for wrong-doing of one sort or another. After living in San Antonio for some 20 years, he opened a saloon in Pecos County, in a town eventually to be called Langtry. In 1882, with the closest court being 200 miles away, Bean was appointed Justice of the Peace in Pecos County. With his own ideas as to what was legal and what was not, Bean seldom practiced fair and reasonable rulings. Additionally, unlawful activities were settled by fines, with Bean keeping the money to himself. Usually, the fine amounted to however much the person was carrying at the time. Bean died in 1903 in his home-courtroom, pictured here, after a bout of heavy drinking. He's buried in Del Rio, Texas.

Traveling on State Highway 90 between Langtry and Del Rio, one passes over Texas' highest highway bridge, the Pecos High Bridge, also called the Pecos River Bridge. Close to 300 feet below is the gorge carved over time by the Pecos River. On the northeast side of the bridge is an overlook and picnic area that offers excellent view of the bridge and gorge. Stop and have a sandwich! It's a great view!

Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site is located along the Rio Grande River northwest of Del Rio. There are hiking and biking activities in the park, as well as camping, but the canyon itself, pictured here, can only be accessed with a park guide. Indication of early stone dwellers can be found in the way of pictographs on the rocky canyon walls. A hiking trail along the rim of the canyon is a teaser for getting down into the canyon.

From the Interstate 10 in Texas, there's a "scenic route," Highway 290 heading south. Its highlight is the Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, but eventually one runs into the small unincorporated town of Sheffield, once a mining town. This shot was taken there outside this abandoned building.

I came across this hungry little group on my way out to Arizona, off the I-10 west of Junction, Texas, and on to Ranch Road 3031.