I am off to Houston at some point and Texans are just as mad about them as any. The last time I was there the only time I saw them was on the police but it could be in the cinema, the chemists or the supermarket. I did not see any guns other than that.

I love Texas, Austin in particular. And no, I did not see guns there either, just loads of very huge cars.
Other than that, head to NASA and Rudy's or County line BBQ stores if you have time

I should have plenty of time, I might go for a month depending on what time of year I go. I have an open invitation so will be staying at a friends home. She is a foodie so will be off trying something different each night.

It will be stiffling hot and they get extreme thunder showers and hail too around Easter.
I had good fun visitng the farming equipment shops there as my father wanted a Stetson

Yes the weather will be a factor. As a teacher I have more scope during the summer but it will be very hot. I was thinking of camping in the National Parks though have to decide whether bears or scorpions are worth the trouble, plus she hates the outdoors but a lodge is acceptable. So I am thinking about flying up to Fresno and then hiring a car to go to Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks before catching a two day train back to Houston. Winter is better for me, but I will be able to make additional journeys so will think it through before I do anything.

I fainted after 15min outdoor last time I went to Texas in the summer and got a heatstroke being out for 30min in the pool, in the shade after 6pm. You're talking about 40+ temperature and 35+ at nighttime. I'm not sure being outside for long periods if you're not used to it is a good idea.

:) I moved to Montana in the summer, 111F in the days although dry heat and it took a bit of getting used to, but it depends what kind of exertion you're talking about. Hiking in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks was a bit of a job but if you're the kind to acclimatise fairly quickly then you shouldn't have too much trouble. Drink a lot more and rest often, also make sure you know what the signs of heatstroke are and make sure you have lots and lots of suncream until your skin gets used to the sun

Yes that is already a concern of mine, I am much better in the cold. Though in the Summer she might be here so it will end that problem.

Houston I found marginally colder and a lot more humid than the rest of Texas. However, It feels a lot like you're walking through soup during the day. The seaside towns are nice, and I'd go see the oil rigs too as that was a pretty impressive view

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