Ramble Texas: A Wanderer's Guide to the Offbeat, Overlooked, and Outrageous

by Eric Peterson

Every Texan has a personal vision of the true Texas. The problem is, every Texan has a different personal vision of the true Texas. An outsider is free to see the many sides to the Lone Star State, and seasoned travel writer Eric Peterson bellies up to do just that. Combining classic guidebook fare with lesser-known destinations, Ramble Texas creates a unique approach to travel. From mesquite-smoked BBQ on the border, tracking the Texas Chupacabra (a vampiric legend known for sucking goats dry), and sipping a Shiner under a two-headed calf at the Buckhorn Saloon to a visit to the Cockroach Hall of Fame & Museum, Ramble Texas provides plenty of ideas on how to spend your time. In between the state’s regional chapters, Peterson’s travelogues recount adventures and encounters such as “Oil, Power, and Money” in Houston; “Border Run” along the Rio Grande; and “Lone Rockstar Tour,” a musical road trip from the Panhandle to the heart of Austin. Eric Peterson is the author of the Ramble series, books sitting at the intersection between guidebook and travelogue. Previous books in the Ramble series include A Field Guide to the U.S.A. , Ramble Colorado , and Ramble California . He is also the author of numerous Frommer’s travel guides, including Frommer’s Texas (co-author), Frommer’s Colorado , and Frommer’s Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks , and has contributed to the New York Daily News , The Denver Post , Delta Sky , and High Country News .

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Born in Colorado Springs, grew up halfway to Denver, where I live now.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm planning to be a tourist in my own state! Eric Peterson makes traveling fun again!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this and found it a bit too disjointed to use as an actual travel guide. It was all over the place and just kind of confusing, and the outrageous, offbeat stuff wasn't all THAT weird. Eh.