Yes, Texas was a much friendlier place back in the '80s. Just the other day I was telling my, born & raised Texan, wife that Texans were turning into Connecticutians. I suddenly realized that the Texans weren't changing, there's just more Connecticutians here now.
I get moving to a better place, but why try to make the new, better place, just like your old shitty place?
But, to get back on track, the first time I ever went way over 100mph, was up in New England. A section of I-95 that was three lanes wide with no traffic. The little devil on my shoulder said "do it". I was on my FJ, and just turned the throttle. I was expecting twitchiness at high speed. In reality, she was as solid as a rock all the way to an indicated 155mph.