Beaumont Texas...

I love Oklahoma.  I'm not even a year old here in the Sooner State, but I love it.

HOWEVER, I'm a Texas native and you know how we Texans are when it comes to our pride.  So, imagine my surprise when I was flipping through this morning's Oklahoman newspaper and "BEAUMONT" was in big bold print on the ‘Destinations' section.

Beaumont, Texas is home sweet home for this reporter and I'm giving two thumbs up to the excellent review written by staff writer Chris Jones.   He hit all the highlights of the city that sits just a short drive from the Louisiana border.   The nightlife, the culture, the museums, the gators and the countless number of activities you can do both indoor and outdoors.

I wish, however, he would have mentioned more of the Cajun flavor that influences the food and lifestyle there.  The beaches and how it's just a short drive to Galveston, Houston or Lake Charles, Louisiana - home of several worthy casinos.

There's also the remarkable music ties to the area.  Beaumont and Port Arthur is home to George Jones, Janis Joplin, Tracy Byrd and Mark Chesnutt.

High school football is a way of life, we laugh in the face of hurricanes and the humidity and mosquitoes are considered character builders.

I miss it and it's why I try to visit as often as I can and I'm hoping many of you - you true native Oklahomans - will give it a shot and tell me what you think, and I hope you love my home as much as I'm loving yours.

Rusty Surette

Rusty.surette@news9.net