I've been wantin a new pair of "Sunday go to meetin" boots so Saturday me and Linda loaded up and went to Amarillo to look.
I got my first pair before I was old enough to walk because that's what my family wore, and have worn nuthin but Tony Lama brand boots for over 60 years, and never considered anything else. They just fit me.
Well, at store #3 I could see things were gettin complicated, but at Cavenders Boot Center a crotchety middle aged salesman pointed out Tony Lama boots were scarce this year, so I decided to look on my on (it's a big store).
While sittin on a bench tryin on boots he walked by and dropped a boot in front of me sayin: It ain't a Tony Lama, it's better but it ain't cheap.
Well, it was obviously a custom made boot, which I had always avoided, but what the hell, I'll try it on for grins. I've "never" had a boot fit like that, and when he walked back by, I asked him if the boot came in pairs. It fit just like the other one.
Rios of Mercedes is a Texas made boot, and they've been making boots for 60 years. If Ida ever tried on a pair Ida have abandoned Tony Lama 60 years ago.
I justified the $550.00 by acknowledging that he cut a deal, and knocked off a $100.00, and that they would surely be my last ever pair. They'll easily outlast me.
Linda never raised an eyebrow, so I guess I'm ok there.