Want to place bets on the next state to secede from the union?

Here's the thing about west Texas. There is NOTHING there. You can look out and see nothing but dust and dirt. The exits are twenty miles apart, and only every couple of exits is there a gas station or a fast-food restaurant. Occasionally, there is an oil refinery -- and the associated smell. Which caused Dixie to announce that "Texas pooted." Indeed. It's a smell that reminded our east-coast souls of New Jersey.
We also passed several wind farms. Giant colonies of those new modern windmills. Which we found a little surprising, given that we were in the oil capital.
Keep in mind, also, that it's perfectly flat, so when we say we could see nothing at all, we could see pretty far.
When it got dark, the emptiness became really obvious. There were no lights anywhere. Those of us not driving (sorry, 'Lope,) could stick our heads out the window and see the most and brightest stars we'd ever seen. We also noticed that the concentration of bugs on the windshield was getting a little out of control.

Further, the speed limit is 80. Now we're talking.

The signs at this point say "El Paso." Which Betsy brilliantly informs us is Spanish for "The Paso." Thanks, lady. You really got it covered.

In stopping for dinner, our options were severely limited. So we went to Dairy Queen.
Now, I've been to Texas before. I've observed things like bud lite cans with special Texas logos on them, and Texas-shaped corn chips. Here, we found that not only do fast food places in this part of the country wait on you (you order at the counter, they deliver your food to your table,) but all the paper products come in their own special "Texas" version, with a special logo with the shape of Texas on it. DQ even has a motto for this other country they operate in: "That's What I Love About Texas." I guess nobody told them that we had Dairy Queen in PA, too. Shhh. Don't tell. Shhhhh.
Now, check this out. They have a Texas-specific website.

Okay. I'm a little scared. We're nearing Midland, early home of you know who. (No, not Voldemort.) But we power through (nice driving Lizziepie!) and land in Pecos. (As in Pecos Bill, as all of our mothers point out when we call to let them know we're alive.) At an independent motel called the Laura Lodge that is way bigger than any motel we've stayed in yet, for the same price. Wheeeee! Snuggle up and sleep tight, cause tomorrow, we're heading for.... THE PASO!