Day 5:: Nothing to see here folks, move along

Well what should  have been about a 40 mile day turned into twice that. Part driver error, part missing road sign so blame TXDOT. At any rate we are now at Brazos Bend SP. Home of moss covered trees and aligators. Just hoping Mary does go all Marie LeBeaux on me! (Not sure what that means? A old Jim Stafford song)

 Now for something personal. I really appreciate my friends following along on this journey. This includes Dr. Mark and Sharon Hoelscher. They are touring England at this time and stats show viewer from Great Britain. When we left Alvord Saturday  morning temp were in the 40's, since then it has been record heat. What the hell happened to fall? This is October! This travel blog will go quiet for a couple of days, resuming on Saturday. We routed this trip to come to Houston, and will spend the next 2 nights at Lakeview RV park. Our dear friend,neighbor, and traveling  companion Dan Lange is battling Leukemia at MD Anderson. We are here to provide aid and comfort, as best we can, to Dan and his sweet wife Rhonda. Please have them in your thoughts.

 Next post from Lake Whitney

Day 4: Rumors spreading around, 'bout that Texas town...

Did you figure out by the lyrics where today's history lesson takes us?

Does this help?

How about this?

You probably guessed the town but missed the true destination! The infamous chicken ranch house was moved long ago. Still can visualize "Marvin Zindler, Eye witness news". If not familiar with the story, Google is your friend

 No, our history stop was

Further information

Monument and crypt

Next stop on todays history tour

And finally our home for the evening

Random thoughts...

I, and I think a lot of people, find comfort in the familiar. Things being the same as you remember them. This park was built in a dense pine forest where a pine forest should NOT be, hence the name "lost pines". The dense canopy of the pines kept out the hard woods, such is not the case now. Suspect it never will be again, something lost forever...

 Do you recognize this?

 A old, comfortable companion who has been with me 35 plus years. Dependable, reliable, familiar.

 Last night and the next two nights are in State parks. Our preference. The Kerrville stop was at a commercial  RV park. While nice, our friend Bill would be appalled at the cost. Bill and Jeannie have been gone for 4 plus months touring the east coast. Ron and Maureen head out in January as full timers...we are WAY behind and need to catch up!

Day 3: East bound and down...

Can you name the TV show that came from?

 Pulled out of Kerrville around 9am. Enjoyed our stay but it was time to move along...

First blast from the last was here

We had been there 30 plus years ago. A lot had changed, still a lot remained the same

Then it was off to Austin after a quick stop at Wildseed farms just east of Fredericksburg.

Welcome to Austin!

Then on to visit an old friend. We last camped at Bastrop in 2007. Texas has been in a severe drought and in 2011 a wildfire destroyed the lost pines forest. In 2007 we camped at the exact spot where Mary is standing, very different then

The wildfire destroyed many acres both in and out of the park.

But they saved the main building built by the CCC's back in 1934. The fired reached the parking lot beside the building.

More history tomorrow. ..

Day 2: part 2

Children: please do let your parents run around unsupervised. They might do crazy

things

Pretty girls can be found in pretty settings.

Top off a great stay with a tasty beverage..

Further information can be found here

Day 2: No where to go and all day to get there

Sunday equals end of weekend and moving day for many. Lot of folks pulling out and heading home or their next destination. Forgot to mention our journey thru Fredricksburg yesterday. It is tourist mecca every weekend. Now add in that it is an historic German community, it is October....OCTOBERFEST!! The crowds and traffic were insane when we came through. Hope to stop tomorrow  for beer and sausage. Many stops planned for Monday but not much driving.

 A little more from the shores of the Guadalupe river.

Todays assignment: hold down this swing

Mary likes them BIG!

Till tomorrow!

Day One

There is a saying, with some variation, amongst RV'ers that goes like this: 3 or 300. What that means is one should quit driving at 3pm or 300 miles, whichever comes first. Well on our first day out, and the longest planned of this trip, we came close. Reached rv park at 4pm and about 315 miles. In our defense we did stop at a state and national park for over an hour.

 A glorious fall day in Texas to be out on the road. I opted to take Hwy 281 south instead  of I-35. By far a more scenic route, severe clear sky and pleasant temperatures made for a relaxing drive. As relaxed as one can be maneuvering 10 tons down the road. We picked up 281 just south of Jacksboro and followed it to Johnson city then took 290 west to Fredericksburg then 16 south to Kerrville, our destination.

 It had been some years since we had last comee this way. We decided to have lunch at the  LBJ state park. A shade tree in the parking lot worked fine.

The last time we were here Lady Bird Johnson was still alive so access to ranch was restricted. Since her death they  now offer tours of the house and you can drive over river to the ranch house. Well worth the 3 dollar cost.

LBJ version of air force one.

Our chariot parked by hanger.

No photography  is allowed inside house but here are some exhibits views

We ended our day at Guadalupe river resort. Here is our view for the next two days

More to come on day 2.