I’m Diann Bayes, owner and #1 quester at How Big Is Texas. I’ve lived in more than 20 cities and towns across the Lone Star State in my life and I’ve visited ALL 254 counties. I Love Texas and everything it has to offer. How Big Is Texas started in June of 2020 during the pandemic. I drove the perimeter of the state, all 3,331 miles, and shared stories and photos of the beauty of this wonderful place I call home. I’ve been driving the highways and back roads of Texas ever since. 

One of my favorite books is Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck. He writes about Texas in a special way. One of my favorite passages is shared below.

“I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans.” 

John Steinbeck – Travels with Charley: In Search of America

As a 5th generation Texan, I’m proud of my deep roots. I love my state and what it has to offer. Join me as I travel Texas along with friends and family to discover the big miles, big tastes, and big adventures across the Lone Star State.  Until next time from Texas, safe travels!