The beauty in the journey
2 MIN VIDEO | 2 MIN READ
Fifth-generation rancher and painter Alice Leese understands the value of patience, respect, and the art of slowing down. Whether she’s behind the wheel or in the saddle, she knows appreciating the journey is just as important as the destination.
Every Texan is familiar with the beauty in our own backyards. From the grasslands of the Great Plains to the mountains and deserts of West Texas, the views never get old. And while the world moves fast, Texans do things at our own pace. Slowing down to enjoy the journey not only keeps you and others safe, but you also might notice new sights, beauty, and people along the way.
Rushing ruins the ride
In Texas, roads aren’t just paths from one place to the next. They’re part of our story. Alice Leese’s family has been working and driving the same roads and land in West Texas for 120 years (and counting). But whether you’ve lived here for six months or six generations, Alice knows there’s something for everyone to appreciate.
People drive through these oil fields at 70, 80 miles an hour. I wish people would slow down. I like to help them see what they’re missing.”
When you speed, you might feel like you're gaining ground, but trading safety for just seconds puts you and others at risk. Like Alice says, “at the end of the day, we’re all neighbors,” and the small things we do for one another on the road make a big difference.
Treat everyone like a neighbor, on and off the road
Texans are famous for our hospitality. Just like you’d welcome guests in your home, Alice believes in treating everyone like a neighbor. That means extending kindness, courtesy, and patience to your neighbors on the road, too. Wave hello as you pass. Respect the pace of the land and the people living along it, and lead by example.
Driving like a Texan is about looking out for one another — and knowing the view is a lot better when you slow down and enjoy the ride.
More about Alice
Alice Leese is a fifth-generation rancher, renowned artist, and native Texan. At age 53, she returned to school to work on a master’s degree in studio art at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. She's best known for her landscape paintings that capture the essence of ranch life and the people of West Texas.