Why I Love Texas!
A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I got the opportunity to visit the nearby (in Texas terms, only a four hour drive) city of Austin. One evening we decided to venture out to a local landmark called The Oasis. The Oasis is a restaurant with dozens of multilevel decks hanging from the side of a mountain 450 feet above Lake Travis. It's a picturesque spot and the site of many a wedding reception and party. That evening, like most I understand, people filled the decks drinking excellent Margaritas, eating decent Tex-Mex, and most importantly watching the sunset over Lake Travis. When the sun finally dropped below the distant hills, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. It was a truly awe inspiring moment. But that's not why I love Texas, or at least not the main reason.
This morning most Texans woke to news that The Oasis had been engulfed in flames last night with most of those decks reduced to cinders. The fire could be seen for miles and all was thought to be lost. The news report showed the faces of nearby residents as they watched their beloved landmark burn, one of which was a young woman who had her wedding reception planned for The Oasis in just a few weeks time. It would seem like a tragedy anywhere else but Texas.
In an interview with the owner, Beau Theroit, the mood was upbeat with him saying that 90% of the kitchen was still there as was much of the surrounding property. He expects to be open again, at least partially, by Friday. What's more, those people with parties planned will be able to have them at his his own home on the lake.
This story shows one of the things I truly love about Texas. It seems like anything is possible here. From striking it rich in oil in your own back yard to not letting a little thing like a massive fire keep people from enjoying the view of the sunset on Lake Travis. Texas is "can-do" and so are it's people, and I'm very happy to now call this my home.
<Texas Bumper Sticker For Non-Natives> I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!