Stop 1/25

13 pts!

@ Yellow Flower

Gollum was enjoying his tour of Texas, starting in Amarillo. All the pets he met were very friendly, the weather was warm and all around were vibrant hues.
The guide book said that amarillo was Spanish for 'yellow'. The warm hospitality matched the climate and colors of Amarillo, reflected Gollum.

Stop 2/25

70 pts!

@ Sunflower, Amarillo

"Is this the way to Amarillo?" Gollum chuckled to himself. "Deedee told me to follow them thar sunflowers!"
He was having a happy time strolling through acres of smiling sunflowers which, at six feet tall, towered over him. Gollum finished his tour with cold lemonade at the farm shop.

Stop 3/25

11 pts!

@ Sun-baked House, Amarillo

Amarillo is known for the warmth of its summers. Gollum stopped to bask contentedly in the sun and to admire the architectural detail on the outside of a village window and the sun-blistered, faded, sand-coloured paint. He felt he could live here forever!

Stop 4/25

13 pts!

@ Tulips in Dallas

Gollum took the Greyhound to Dallas. His first port of call once there was to Dallas Arboretum, the showcase for many beautiful blooms. Gollum was pleased to be able to take part in a tasting session of herbs and vegetables from the Arboretum.

Stop 5/25

13 pts!

@ Flags of Texas and USA

Gollum saw a picture of snowfall enveloping the flag of Texas and Old Glory. The Texas flag is the ONLY state flag which may be flown at the same height as the USA flag, as Texas was once a country! Seeing snowfall made Gollum feel Christmassy and contented inside.

Stop 6/25

74 pts!

@ Frozen Field, Texas

"Frost? In Texas?" Gollum asked a Dallas hotel bellhop, seeing a wintry picture on the wall.
"Frost? It's about 50 miles from here. You wanna head down Waxahachie way on the I35E and—oh, hey, I guess you mean the picture!" They chuckled together about their misunderstanding.

Stop 7/25

11 pts!

@ Merry Christmas, Texas Style

Gollum flew to Houston, then caught the Greyhound to Galveston. Browsing at the Petourist Office, he wished he could be here for Galveston’s Dickens on the Strand event in December when the historic Strand district comes alive with Victorian Christmas food, drink, and costumed street performers.

Stop 8/25

52 pts!

@ Texan Chili con Carne

That evening, the waiter told Gollum that chili was the official dish of Texas! Of course, there were many different recipes. But one thing was definite! There are no beans! Classic Texan chili is con carne (with meat) and sin frijoles (without beans).
Gollum made careful notes in his food appreciation notebook.

Stop 9/25

15 pts!

@ Texan Pecan Pie and Ice Cream

For pudding, Gollum had a large wedge of delicious pecan pie—another Texan specialty! The waitress told him the pecans were locally grown, and advised him of the location of a shop that sold all sorts of things made from pecans, such as candy, coffee and cooking oil.

Stop 10/25

10 pts!

@ Mansion, Galveston, Texas

Galveston, oh, Galveston! Gollum sang to himself. He had studied his guidebook and couldn't wait to see everything! He started with Moody Gardens, to see the sharks! Then the amusement rides lining the Historic Pleasure Pier before he headed west to Galveston Island State Park, for trail-walking and kayaking!

Stop 11/25

15 pts!

@ Pretty Purple Plant, Texas

Gollum had noticed purple heart spiderwort wherever he went in Texas. It was a low-maintenance evergreen that did well in full sun or shade. Its trailing growth makes it a great choice for hanging baskets. Gollum took his sketchpad to the park and spent a relaxing hour drawing himself a souvenir of his trip!

Stop 12/25

11 pts!

@ Chili Con Carne and Frijoles

Gollum went to a restaurant off the beaten track and was served Chili con carne y frijoles—chili with meat and beans. Besides the traditional ingredients of the old-time dish, it had innovative ingredients such as chocolate! The Chef emerged and informed him chocolate adds subtle background depth and richness.

Stop 13/25

14 pts!

@ Coast at Rockport, Texas

Gollum took the scenic route to Rockport, a Texan coastal town. He enjoyed strolling on the beach, with its piers and birdlife. Then the Maritime Museum; shipbuilding, oil drilling and pirates! Nearby were local art displays and a sculpture garden. Also on his "to-do" list was Fulton Mansion, a restored 19th-century home.

Stop 14/25

10 pts!

@ Texan Juniper

Gollum had a quiet day as he would be travelling again the next day. He visited the Juniper shop, where there were many items made from juniper berries, including soap, perfume, condiments and drinks. Gollum had a great time buying souvenirs and gifts for those at home.

Stop 15/25

10 pts!

@ Mission House, San Antonio

Having arrived in San Antonio, Gollum headed for the historic Mission House, where he visited the 300-year-old convent, the granary, and the grist mill. He had a very relaxing day.

Stop 16/25

11 pts!

@ Alamo, San Antonio

The Alamo building was originally the chapel of the Mission San Antonio de Valero, founded by Franciscans. It was the site of a determined resistance conflict in 1836 by those whose main desire was Texan independence from Mexico. Gollum was happy to be living in more peaceful times!

Stop 17/25

15 pts!

@ Cotton Field in Texas

Gollum felt blessed that no pet need lack a coat or bedding, with such a rich source of cotton on hand!

Stop 18/25

65 pts!

@ Old Glory Flag

Gollum attended a talk on the history of the US flag. It was fascinating, especially the part covering the Revolutionary War period, when the "rebellious" stripes were thought the most important element and were always mentioned before the stars. So the flag was known as "the Stripes and Stars"! It made Gollum happy to learn something new!

Stop 19/25

15 pts!

@ Tex-Mex Tortilla

That evening Gollum had tortillas for his evening meal, made into Fiesta Pinwheels served with salsa. He was finding out how versatile tortillas were. They could be used for breakfast, main meals and desserts! In Texas tortillas were thick, puffy and soft, whereas the Mexican version was thin, smooth and flat.

Stop 20/25

13 pts!

@ Ornamental Grass in Texas

Gollum admired the field brome, a beautiful ornamental grass that he had seen all over his tour round Texas.
He spent a while in pleasant contemplation of what the vista of ornamental grasses would look like on a windy day, with their heads swaying in the breeze.

Stop 21/25

10 pts!

@ Tex-Mex Rustic Quesadilla Cheese

Gollum just couldn't resist another meal with those delicious puffy Texan flour tortillas! From the menu he chose quesadillas, with lots of gooey melted cheese, with a dip of cooling lime crema! Happiness, Gollum reflected, is a Texan tortilla with melted cheese ...

Stop 22/25

13 pts!

@ Statue of Liberty

Gollum was watching a documentary about the Statue of Liberty, one of the most recognisable symbols in the world, standing for freedom, hope, inspiration and spirit, completed in 1886 to mark the centenary of Independence. Gollum raised his glass in a gesture of celebration of Lady Liberty, currently 2000 miles away from him.

Stop 23/25

13 pts!

@ Sunrise, Texas Hill Country

Gollum's tour in Texas was drawing to a close. He sat on a bench, enjoying the evening scenery. It was always so beautiful when the sky turned pinky-orange as the day drew to a close!

Stop 24/25

@ White Water, Texas Hill Country

Gollum adored being by rushing water! It made him feel so well! He was sitting by a waterfall when he looked up to see Deedee standing there! "Thank you for spreading happiness during your time in Texas," said Deedee. "I've arranged for you to be given a special gift, made in Texas. Look down ..."

Stop 25/25

@ Sunset, Big Bend National Park, Texas

Gollum had reached the final stop on his Texas tour. He drank in a glorious sunset in the Big Bend National Park, in West Texas, on the border with Mexico.

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