> ".. this is one of those places in the U.S. .."

I've spent a fair amount of time in Florida, been to the Northern States (VT,NH,Maine,etc) several times skiing/boarding - they are close enough by car.  Boston, MA for LibrePlanet a few times.  California, once for a week or two as a teen.

But I've never been to Texas... :(  I hear things are bigger down there ;)

We do have outdoor firepits, and quasi-fireplace in some cases, but I've never seen something I'd call a "fire place" like you've got there - very cool!