I first went to Austin when I was in 8th grade en route to Sea World in San Antonio.  However, I went back as an adult in 2019 to explore the city.  The Texas State Capitol is amazing.  One can learn so much about the history of the Great State of Texas as well as about our nation by visiting this attraction.  The State Capitol was made from pink granite from the XIT Ranch in Texas.  The dome is actually larger than the US Capitol Dome.  There is lots of cool artwork and pictures inside the building as well.  What I loved most was that the Republicans control both houses of the Texas legislature!  I love Texas.  My wife and I both agreed that the California State Capitol was no where as grand as the Texas Capitol, and there were so many more tourists there on the day we visited than the CA Capitol would get.

    We also visited the Texas State History Museum in Austin.  There was a lot of stuff to see inside.  I enjoyed giving Joy a lecture on the exhibits since I took Texas History back in 7th grade.  Texas has a rich and proud history which none of the other states in the union can brag about.  For starters, Texas was the only state in the union that was an independent and recognized country.  Thus, Texas received extra perks when she entered the union in 1845 such as owning her public lands and being able to fly the state flag at the same mast as the US flag.