As we wind down 2025, I’ve been reflecting on this past year at How Big Is Texas. My hobby blog, photography, and social media posts are now my full-time job, along with consulting work I’m doing across the state. It’s exciting for me because now I can spend even more time sharing Texas with all…
Tag: road trip
Sharing My Love for Texas
As the #1 Quester at How Big Is Texas, I love sharing my memories of growing up across East Texas and the Panhandle. I also love to share family holiday traditions and the flavors of small-town life. I recount my 3,300-mile perimeter road trip and the Texas mountains I discovered. I discuss winter birding in…
Buc-ee’s: A Texas Wonder of the World
A few years ago, I came up with the idea of traveling around Texas and visiting all 34 of the Buc-ee’s stores in the Lone Star State. For those of you not familiar with Buc-ee’s, they are far more than a convenience store with fuel and snacks. Most are massive with at least 50 fuel…
Five Years of Exploring Texas
Join me on my journey through the vastness of the Lone Star State, celebrating the five-year anniversary of my first trip on my quest to answer the question, How Big Is Texas. In this podcast episode, I share the story of a remarkable nine-day road trip where Debra, Morgan, and I drove around the state’s…
Brewster County: The Hidden Gem of Texas
Join me, Diann Bayes, the founder of ‘How Big is Texas,’ as I take you on an exciting journey through Brewster County, the largest county in Texas. In this episode, I share my love for Texas and highlight my experiences exploring this spectacular region. Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Big Bend National Park, the charming…
Farm to Table the Texas Way
Join me, Diann Bayes, founder and #1 Quester at How Big is Texas, as I take you on a journey through the vibrant landscapes and agricultural wonders of the Lone Star State. From the blossoming azaleas and wisteria in East Texas to the sprawling produce across various regions, discover the diversity and richness of Texas…
My How Big Is Texas 2025 Quests
I Do Not Resolve, I Quest!!! As resolutions go, I tend to fail dismally. You may be one of those amazing goal setters and not in the least bit familiar with making but, not keeping, New Year’s resolutions. Good for you. I’m this person, or at least I have been in the past. I purchase…
10 Places for SERENITY NOW in Texas!
Have you ever had one of those days when things seemed to be far more challenging than they needed to be? All you really wanted was a little bit of peace and calm. While it’s not always expected, it would be nice to be filled with a sense of serenity, but that doesn’t continually happen…
2024’s How Big Is Texas Best BBQ List
How It Started In January of 2022 when I was living in San Angelo, I polled my small group of followers on my How Big Is Texas Facebook page to find out their favorite barbecue restaurants in Texas. They came through with a couple dozen selections at the time. I followed that survey up with…
New Headquarters for How Big Is Texas
A New Headquarters It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we moved across the state from San Angelo, in the Texas Forts Trail Region, to east Texas so I could start my new job in Tyler, in the Texas Forest Trail Region. We are coming up on a year of being in our…