(beaver) trail rider

Buc-ee’s founder saddles up as 2024 Downtown Rodeo Parade grand marshal

Arch “Beaver” Aplin III is this year's rodeo parade Grand Marshal.

Photo courtesy of Buc- ee’s

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2024 is just 53 days away until opening day, but fans have some dam good Texas news to kick off the new year. This year’s 2024 Downtown Rodeo Parade grand marshal will be none other than Buc- ee’s founder and CEO, Arch “Beaver” Aplin III.

Aplin will be joined by his iconic, beloved brainchild Beaver, the Buc-ee’s mascot, who will walk the parade route with fellow beloved mascot, the rodeo’s Howdy. Fans can line up and wave to Aplin and Beaver on parade day on Saturday, February 24.

A tradition since 1938, marks the beginning of rodeo season and celebrates Texas and Western heritage.

“Buc-ee’s is one of Texas’ most notable brands and we are honored to have Arch Aplin III help kick off our historic event,” said Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO, in a statement. “As many of our attendees travel long distances for our annual event, Buc-ee’s is part of the Rodeo experience for many already.”

Since 1982, the landmark has grown from a simple, 3,000-square-foot store at 899 Oyster Creek Dr. on the border of Clute and Lake Jackson, Texas, to a treasured Texas institution. Fans from around the globe flock to the locations to stock up on brisket and BBQ, snacks, the famed Beaver Nuggets, gifts and goods, and enjoy — of course — the greatly appreciated clean bathrooms. As of 2023, Buc-ee’s now has 47 locations nationwide‚ with 34 in Texas alone.

So prolific is Buc-ee’s reach and brand presence that it received the CBS Sunday Morning treatment in January 2022, as well as myriad national media pieces.

Aplin’s is a passion for giving back to Texas and his cherished alma mater, Texas A&M. He has previously served as chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, is a board member of The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M, and a member of the Lieutenant Governor’s Transportation Advisory Board. He was also longtime board member of the Brazosport Independent School District.

A rodeo/Buc-ee’s parade theme is notable, as both cultural institutions started in the Houston area.

As for parade day, the annual Rodeo Run will get things moving, with the follow parade/run schedule:

9:10 am 10K Wheelchair
9:20 am 5K & 10K Corral A, 10K Time
9:35 am 5K Timed
9:35 am Untimed 5K (line up behind timed 5K participants)
10 am Downtown Rodeo Parade begins

One burning question: Will Aplin and Beaver toss out thousands of Beaver Nuggets on parade day? No telling, but fans can find more parade information here.

are you happy?

Houston continues sad streak as one of the 'unhappiest' U.S. cities

Photo by Damaris Martin on Unsplash

Even with a poor ranking, you still shouldn't ask us to "smile more."

A new nationwide study analyzing the happiest cities in America has determined Houston is slightly happier than it was last year, but it still appears to be one of the unhappiest U.S. cities in 2026.

Houston currently ranks as the 128th happiest U.S. city. Last year, it was No. 151.

WalletHub determined the happiest cities in America based on 29 relevant metrics based on "positive-psychology research" across three main categories: emotional and physical wellbeing, income and employment, and community and environment. As with most WalletHub studies, it compared the 182 most populous U.S. cities.

Fremont, California claimed the top spot as the happiest city nationwide for another year. Bismark, North Dakota and Scottsdale, Arizona, respectfully, rounded out the top three.

Here's how WalletHub ranked Houston across the three key dimensions:

No. 107 – Emotional and physical wellbeing
No. 148 – Income and employment
No. 158 – Community and environment

Despite its low ranking, Houstonians are working hard to improve their city's quality of life year after year, whether its through opening new restaurants, inviting Houston-born stars to perform at the rodeo, or having a strong job market. We also have some of the best museums, a diverse culinary scene, and iconic institutions like the Johnson Space Center. And considering that people keep moving here, Houston must be happier than other places.

Having a good job and a fun social life can qualify as factors that measure happiness, but WalletHub separately emphasized that making more money doesn't necessarily mean "more" happiness.

"For decades, researchers have explored the science of happiness and identified several core factors, including mental well-being, physical health, strong social ties, job satisfaction, and financial stability," the report said. "Still, income has its limits — studies show that earning more than $75,000 a year does not lead to greater happiness."

Elsewhere in Texas
The Dallas suburb Plano and its residents' happiness far outshines the rest of Texas, according to WalletHub. Plano ranked as the 16th happiest U.S. city, and the No. 1 happiest statewide. Austin was the only other Texas city to rank among the top 50, landing in the No. 39 spot.

This is how other Texas cities ranked in the report:

No. 70 – Irving
No. 92 – Garland
No. 106 – Grand Prairie
No. 111 – Dallas
No. 113 – Fort Worth
No. 119 – Arlington
No. 135 – Lubbock
No. 137 – El Paso
No. 140 – Laredo
No. 143 – Amarillo
No. 150 – Brownsville
No. 154 – San Antonio
No. 155 – Corpus Christi

reports san antonio wallethub