Pictures of the Week 2008-14
Hello All,
Departing Mississippi we continued west on I-10 into Louisiana. Bypassed New Orleans via I-12 and then picked up I-10 again following it into Texas. We stayed overnight in Sealy before continuing on to San Antonio. At San Antonio we picked up US Highway 281 north to Johnson City, where we parked the rig for a week of exploring.
Johnson City is in the “Hill Country” of Texas and its claim to fame is that Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, was born there. And, while he was President his ranch in Johnson City was dubbed “The Texas White House.” It now is a National Historic Park.
Departing Mississippi we continued west on I-10 into Louisiana. Bypassed New Orleans via I-12 and then picked up I-10 again following it into Texas. We stayed overnight in Sealy before continuing on to San Antonio. At San Antonio we picked up US Highway 281 north to Johnson City, where we parked the rig for a week of exploring.
Johnson City is in the “Hill Country” of Texas and its claim to fame is that Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, was born there. And, while he was President his ranch in Johnson City was dubbed “The Texas White House.” It now is a National Historic Park.
The Hill Country is known for
its lush wildflowers found along roadsides and in fields in the Spring. They
come in a vast variety of colors. These
are Tickseed, Indian Blanket, and Moss Verbena.
Texas Bluebonnets are probably
the best known wildflowers in the area. They were heavily promoted by President
Johnson‘s wife “Lady Bird.” In 1982 Lady
Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes founded the Wildflower Center in Austin,
TX. It is the only nonprofit
organization committed to the preservation and re-establishment of native
plants in planned landscapes. The Center
is now a part of the University of Texas at Austin. These are Texas Bluebonnets and Alamo Fire.
While at the Wildflower Center we came across
these turtles in a pond. We think there
was a little romance in the air. Looks
like maybe a little kissie face taking place!!
Our travels also took us to
the nation’s largest working wildflower seed farm. Wildflowers bloom here from
early Spring to late Fall. They had more than 80 acres of wildflowers planted
for seed. Seeds are available and
exported to all parts of the country.
These are Red Corn Poppy and Larkspur.
While traveling the country roads we came across
this statue. Normally we don’t care for
statues made from junk. But this one of
a Texas Longhorn was pretty well done.
Don’t have a clue as to who the artist was or why it was there.
Also on a back road we came across this creek
with these huge cypress trees lining the bank.
You just never know what you’ll find cruising country roads.
One of our side trips took us
to Luckenbach, TX. Luckenbach was
settled in 1850 by German pioneers. The
tiny hamlet remained obscure until bought in the 1970’s by the late Hondo
Crouch, a Hill Country humorist, writer,
and authentic Texas character. An enormously popular country/western song made
the name known virtually worldwide.
Luckenbach consists of one unpainted general store that also serves as a beer tavern and U.S. Post Office, a traditional rural dance hall, and a sometimes used blacksmith shop. The outhouses are covered with license plates from many states. Bands and country singers are booked every weekend. I bet this place really rocks on a Saturday night!!
A large group of motorcycle riders were there when we arrived. We got to talking with them and learned that they were all from Germany. They were touring the area for two weeks riding Harley’s. It looked like they were having a great time.
Luckenbach consists of one unpainted general store that also serves as a beer tavern and U.S. Post Office, a traditional rural dance hall, and a sometimes used blacksmith shop. The outhouses are covered with license plates from many states. Bands and country singers are booked every weekend. I bet this place really rocks on a Saturday night!!
A large group of motorcycle riders were there when we arrived. We got to talking with them and learned that they were all from Germany. They were touring the area for two weeks riding Harley’s. It looked like they were having a great time.
One afternoon we drove into
San Antonio for dinner. Our destination
was their famous “River Walk.” The river
flows through the center of downtown San Antonio and has been developed with
sidewalk cafes, boutiques and hotels. It
is truly a lovely area in the center of a city.
We had Bangers and Mash for dinner at the Mad Dog English Pub. It was wonderful!!
One thing we’ve learned during
our brief stay in Texas--the wind never quits blowing!! The only thing that changes is the direction
it comes from.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns