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The tiny West Texas town of Valentine has the perfect name for a town that hosts an annual February tradition. When I took this photo about eight years ago, the sign read population 217, a number from the 1990 census that was never updated. Today, Valentine’s population hovers somewhere between 65 and 75 residents, give or take. Founded on February 14, 1882, when a Southern Pacific Railroad crew…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-dwfhw-1a1d390 Join Diann Bayes, Founder and #1 Quester at How Big Is Texas, in Garland, Texas, to discover why the city is called the Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas, featuring the biggest cowboy hat and an on-street interview with the cultural arts director. Hear the history from Mexican vaqueros to John B. Stetson, and learn about local manufacturers like…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8cqr8-1a049c0 Join Diann Bayes, founder of How Big Is Texas, as she recaps her 2025 adventures across the Lone Star State. From completing a quest to visit all 254 Texas counties and exploring state parks to seaside getaways in Rockport, this episode highlights the best places, foods, and festivals she discovered. Hear about standout moments like the…

As we wind down 2025, I’ve been reflecting on this past year at How Big Is Texas. My hobby blog, photography, and social media posts are now my full-time job, along with consulting work I’m doing across the state. It’s exciting for me because now I can spend even more time sharing Texas with all y’all, as we say. In 2025, I traveled to more than 70 towns and cities from Abilene to Zephyr. I also…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-4qy3k-19ba051 Host Diann Bayes of How Big is Texas shares warm memories of Texas Thanksgiving traditions, family recipes, and classic holiday dishes—from cornbread dressing and questionable salads to pecan pie and cranberry sauce. She reflects on the colors, flavors, and quirks of Southern holiday tables, recounts nostalgic family anecdotes, and invites…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-htx3n-198bb61 Host Diann Bayes celebrates completing her quest to visit all 254 Texas counties after previously driving the 3,331-mile perimeter of the state. She recalls road trips, food trails, mispronounced towns, and Texas Heritage Trail explorations that shaped her journey. Now tracking state parks with a scratch-off map (75 of 89 visited), Diann…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zbcwz-19715c6 Join Diann Bayes as she shares her favorite Fall adventures, highlighting the best seasonal sights and activities across the state — from East Texas foliage and Bigfoot lore to Panhandle sunsets, Hill Country drives, Gulf Coast beaches, and the Big Bend’s wide-open solitude. Discover fall festivals, birding hotspots, chili cook-offs, harvest…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-2662k-194e686 #1 Quester at How Big Is Texas, Diann Bayes shares her memories of growing up across East Texas and the Panhandle, family holiday traditions, and the flavors of small-town life. She recounts her 3,300-mile perimeter road trip, discovering the Texas mountains, winter birding in the Rio Grande Valley, visits to the Alamo, and why Texas will…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8rjag-1925118 Join Diann Bayes as she takes you on a captivating journey through the Texas Panhandle, unraveling the untold stories and hidden gems of this often-overlooked region. From the awe-inspiring Palo Duro Canyon to the charm of Route 66, discover the rich history and unique attractions that make the Panhandle a must-visit destination. Delight in…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ggchg-190e0a2 Join Diann Bayes on an epic journey through Texas as she explores the massive and iconic Buc-ee’s convenience stores. With a unique blend of big miles, big tastes, and big adventures, Diann invites listeners to experience the magic of Buc-ee’s, from its humble beginnings in Lake Jackson to its colossal 75,000 square-foot location in…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ngzbp-18f9380 In this special episode of “How Big Is Texas,” Diann Bayes focuses on the aftermath of the devastating floods that swept through Texas over the July 4th weekend. As homes and communities were ravaged by rising waters, Texans banded together in a spirit of resilience and support for those affected. Bayes shares personal accounts of past flooding…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-frd5c-18ef6c7 Join Diann Bayes, the adventurous founder of ‘How Big is Texas,’ as she takes you on a journey through the captivating Gulf Coast of Texas. In this episode, explore the scenic beauty of the coastline, from the sandy beaches of Rockport and Port Aransas to the historical charm of Galveston Island. Discover the unique wildlife, including…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-pyqqi-18cc651 Join Diann Bayes, the founder of ‘How Big is Texas’, as she takes you on a captivating journey through the vastness of the Lone Star State, celebrating the five-year anniversary of her first trip on her quest to answer the question, How Big Is Texas. In this episode, Diann shares the story of a remarkable nine-day road trip where she and two…

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-hj5b2-18a5b07 In this special Mother’s Day episode, Diann Bayes, founder of How Big is Texas, takes us on a heartfelt journey through the cherished memories of her Grandma Barney Althea Thompson Stone. Through tales of family recipes, homemade quilts, and timeless wisdom, Diann honors the legacy and warmth of her grandma, a Texas native, whose influence is…