Stop 1/25

11 pts!

@ So where IS Texas?

Esmerelda looks at a map of the USA and is awestruck by the sheer size. 50 states, 330 million people, and a lot more pets! Dorothy tells her "Texas is that pointy bit right in the middle at the bottom. It's huge!"

Stop 2/25

12 pts!

@ Houston Airport

Esmerelda boards a flight to Houston. She sees an old tortoise who is trembling. "I want to see my daughter one last time," explains the tortoise. "But I'm not brave enough to fly."
"Take my paw," says Esmerelda. "I will be brave for both of us." Esmerelda has made a friend of old Sam.

Stop 3/25

13 pts!

@ We Love Houston!

Esmerelda is not used to the big city. Houston is the 4th largest in America! As she spends the day seeing museums and shops, and all kinds of colorful sights, she is amazed just how much there is to do!

Stop 4/25

14 pts!

@ Downtown Houston

After visiting the Houston Space Center and the Hermann Park Zoo, Esmerelda spends the evening at the Houston Grand Opera, an experience she will never forget! But she also has tickets for an attraction in Galveston tomorrow, so it's time for a late night drive!

Stop 5/25

10 pts!

@ Rainforest Pyramid, Galveston

Esmerelda is astonished to see a pyramid in Galveston! "That's Moody Gardens," a local squirrel explained. "How about a game of golf?"
"Sorry, I'm off to see the aquarium!" Esmerelda replied. And after that, there was the amusement park ...

Stop 6/25

15 pts!

@ Galveston Harborside

Esmerelda ends a long day at Harborside, arriving on the Port Bolivar Ferry. Now what is it she has forgotten to do? Food! After two days of excitement she has forgotten to eat a thing!

Stop 7/25

10 pts!

@ A Texas Cheeseburger!

Everything's bigger in Texas, and that includes the burgers! Esmerelda is famished. At some other time this might be too much for her, but a double half pounder with yellow mustard, sharp pickles and onions is just what she could do with right now!

Stop 8/25

73 pts!

@ Helicopter ride

Next morning Esmerelda is exhausted and oversleeps. "I'm sure it was the burger," she says to herself. "But wait ... I'm too late to catch the plane to Brownsville!"
Esmerelda asks Dorothy for advice. "Get a helicopter," she says. "No, there isn't time for the Bishop's Palace. Hop in and fly! I can't carry you myself!"

Stop 9/25

10 pts!

@ South Texas

South Texas is really hot! And it's practically Mexico. This old building had Esmerelda getting out her camera at once, it was so colorful! Then she wonders who once lived in it, and when ...

Stop 10/25

13 pts!

@ Peach and Berry Cobbler

Esmerelda asks around; she wants to eat something truly Texan before she leaves the area. Sweet peaches are grown in Texas, and a local donkey recommends peach cobbler. The nearest restaurant is serving peach and berry cobbler, a delicious combination!

Stop 11/25

13 pts!

@ River Walk, San Antonio

When you've gone as far south as you can go, the only way out is north. Esmerelda travels to San Antonio, where she is glad to cool off by the side of the river, drinking a glass of wine.

Stop 12/25

12 pts!

@ Historical House, San Antonio

Esmerelda bought a map and took a look around; she was surprised to see beautiful old buildings in San Antonio. In the background she could hear flamenco music, firing her imagination. Then she got carried away, and strolled on out of town in a hazy dream.

Stop 13/25

10 pts!

@ Sand Dunes at Sunrise

Night fell. Esmerelda tried to find her way back to town. But it was dark! Esmerelda had to wait for dawn in case she got even more lost; she fell asleep by a sand dune.
At dawn, dunes were all she could see! Esmerelda nearly panicked! Then she remembered the map. But there were no landmarks; time to be brave!

Stop 14/25

63 pts!

@ Map of Texas & USA

"This map of the USA's no use!" said Esmerelda. Then she turned it over. A map of San Antonio was on the other side! "Sand dunes are only on the south of the city," she said. "The sun rises in the east. I must go north, with the sun in my right eye!" Sure enough she was soon safely back in San Antionio!

Stop 15/25

13 pts!

@ Austin

Esmerelda took the Texas Eagle to Austin (that's a train, not a bird!) That gave her a chance to stretch her legs and relax. Soon she was in Austin. There was lots to do ... boating, hiking, ziplines, caverns, waterfalls ... but after her adventure overnight, she decided to enjoy one of the 250 live music venues instead!

Stop 16/25

75 pts!

@ Texas State Capitol, Austin

Esmerelda was still getting over the heat of the desert, so she wandered around next day and was impressed by the state capitol. Around the massive building there were a lot of statues, including one of a Texas Ranger and another of a volunteer fireman.

Stop 17/25

12 pts!

@ Pace Bend Park, Austin, Texas

That night Esmerelda made sure she did not wander out of town; she stayed close to the water and walked the banks of Lake Travis, where she got her camera out again.

Stop 18/25

10 pts!

@ Austin Cityscape in Silhouette

As Esmerelda wandered back to the city, she suddenly remembered she was supposed to be in Dallas in the morning! So she wandered around the tall buildings until she found a car hire business.

Stop 19/25

11 pts!

@ Suspension Bridge, Fort Worth

Esmerelda drove through the night, crossing the Trinity River at Fort Worth on the West 7th Street Bridge. When she got her camera out again, it was too dark. This monochrome shot was all she could get!

Stop 20/25

10 pts!

@ Sunrise over Dallas

Wow. Sunrise showed Esmerelda Dallas was a vast, bustling city. This time she could get a picture she really liked! Among the tall buildings was Reunuion Tower, which according to her phone was 561 feet high.

Stop 21/25

12 pts!

@ BBQ Spare Ribs

Esmerelda got a hot tip about a little restaurant where she could eat really good ribs! Stopping to check they were not taken from any creature in PnF, she enjoyed a real Texas speciality!

Stop 22/25

15 pts!

@ Dallas Skyline

Esmerelda went to a strange museum in Dealey Plaza, which she didn't like a bit. At the end of a long day, she enjoyed Dallas in silhouette at sunset.

Stop 23/25

67 pts!

@ Dallas Skyline

Esmerelda was tired out. Time to go home after such a long trip ... but she just had to see the mediaeval jousting tournament! After that, the city lights were a free show which looked really good down by the river.

Stop 24/25

@ Route 66

Esmerelda wanted to see Route 66 as she left Texas. It had been replaced! But businesses still trade on the old route.
Esmerelda was amazed by the Big Texan Steak Ranch 72-oz steak challenge ... eat one in an hour? Many pets don't weigh that much! But the smell was delicious.

Stop 25/25

@ Texas State Line

Esmerelda has only seen about half of Texas, but the state is enormous! Dorothy was on the State Line to congratulate her on her journey!

Esmerelda has enjoyed her tour of Texas, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy this event!