St. Olaf’s Kirke. Photo by Kenny Braun.
When we review our website’s analytics, it’s always a blast to see what kinds of stories our readers are enjoying online. We know you love history, food, and travel, but some subjects are total surprises to the staff—like bridges, for example. Whatever catches your interest, we’re grateful for your readership and hope to help you learn more about our great state in 2022. In case you missed it, here are the seven most-viewed stories on texashighways.com in 2021.
Roadside Oddity: The Geographic Center of Texas Between Brady and Brownwood
By Paul Brown
Brownwood native Paul Brown set out to find which of two towns—Brady or Brownwood—is the true “Heart of Texas.” The answer ends up being a little more complicated.
6 Texas Daytrips to Drive Away the Winter Blues
By Joe Nick Patoski
These daytrips take you through some of the less-traveled places in Texas, from the upper coastal loop of Galveston Bay to the Guadalupe Mountains drive.
For the Best Enchiladas in Texas, Go Back to School in San Antonio
By John Nova Lomax
There are many debates about which Tex-Mex restaurant has the best enchiladas, but some Alamo City natives swear by the cheese enchiladas prepared by San Antonio’s public schools.
Yellowstone Creator Taylor Sheridan Learned To Cowboy in Small-Town Cranfills Gap
By Michael Corcoran
Starring Kevin Costner and Kelly Reilly, the TV show Yellowstone, which airs on the Paramount Network, was a breakout hit of 2021. Showrunner Taylor Sheridan reminisces on his upbringing on a 214-acre ranch near Cranfills Gap, which inspired his contemporary Western.
24 Hours in the Life of Buc-ee’s, Texas’ Beloved Gas Station
By Michael J. Mooney
Famous for its endless gas pumps, pristine bathrooms, and beaver mascot, Buc-ee’s has become the nexus of Texas. Writer Michael J. Mooney spent a full 24 hours inside one location to understand the allure of the beloved convenience store.
El Paso’s Elotes El Vaquero Has Perfected the Beloved Mexican Snack
By Roberto José Andrade Franco
After a stint in the oil fields of West Texas, Jesús Rios returned to El Paso to focus on what he knew best: elotes. Rios has perfected the beloved Mexican snack at his Elotes El Vaquero.
The Rainbow Bridge of Southeast Texas: Making Drivers Think Twice Since 1936
By Joe Nick Patoski
Linking Port Neches and Bridge City in southeast Texas, the Rainbow Bridge is the tallest bridge in the Lone Star State. At 230 feet, the drive across could easily invoke one’s gephyrophobia—a fear of bridges.
