Out of Texas at Last

June 13, 2014
Lincoln Parrish Park
Ruston,  Louisiana



 

We finally made it all the way across Texas and are now staying in a lovely community park in Louisiana.  The campsites are on a bluff overlooking the lake.  Each campsite is level concrete about 25' wide with a wrought iron fence around the back and sides.

 







There are many miles of bike and hiking trails through this beautiful park. 











 














 



Dave is having a serious moment contemplating something.  I think it was the ducks.

Money, Cattle & Scouts

June 12, 2014
Hickory Creek Park
Hickory Creek, Texas

Today started with a trip to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  We were curious to see how money was printed and wanted to learn if there was an easy do-it-yourself method.  It was very noticeable that the country's economy must be in bad shape; they couldn't even afford to give samples.

The Historic Stockyards District in Fort Worth was next on our agenda.   The area is filled with western heritage.  We couldn't leave without indulging in the local bar-b-que and visiting Billy Bob's of Texas (the world's largest honky tonk).  Everything here has a western theme - even the cows.

 

On the way back to the camper, we stopped at the National Scouting Museum.  It was almost closing time, but we managed to have enough time to see everything.  It was a surprisingly nice museum with a wonderful collection of original Norman Rockwell paintings.  Dave relived his days as a scout and I concentrated on beating him at the shooting gallery and the soap box derby race.

 

Some of the Sights in Dallas

June 11, 2014
Hickory Creek Park
Hickory Creek, Texas

Our main objective today was to tour the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.  It chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy.  Dealy Plaza is a historic district and about the only thing that has changed since that fateful day is that the trees are larger.






This interesting building is the Old Red Courthouse.  A museum is now housed in this location.

When we were in Wyoming last year we toured the Eagle Bronze Foundry in Lander.  We learned about the largest bronze sculpture cast at the foundry so while we were in Dallas it was on our bucket list.

There are 40 longhorn cattle herded by 3 cowboys on horses.  The cattle wander down a hill and through a stream on over 4 acres of land adjacent to the Pioneer Cemetery in the heart of Dallas.

 



Each steer was quite large.  I wasn't tall enough to see over them.

Dave amidst the bull.

Our last stop of the day was the George W Bush Presidential Library.  This was a fantastic museum! Of course since it was the most recent presidential library opened, it benefits from newer technology.

Dave sat in the presidential chair in the Oval Office, but lunch never arrived.

On the Road in Big D

June 10, 2014
Hickory Creek Park
Hickory Creek, Texas

 

This morning we headed to Dallas where we planned to stay for a few days and see the sights.  We found this lovely park on a lake on the north side of Dallas.  We liked this park so much we decided to stay and extra day.  

Each site is very roomy with the woods on one side and the lake on the other.  It's hard to believe that this is right in the middle of the Dallas metro area.

This is the view from our picnic table.

All the Presidents .....

June 9, 2014
Marino Road RV Park
Bryan, Texas

We left Spring Branch today and headed northeast toward College Station.  We encountered more rain during the trip than we had seen in the last three years in Arizona. Luckily the storms stopped when we got there and after we set up the camper, we headed over to College Station to go to the George Bush Library.  While we were still in Spring Branch we drove up to Austin to visit the Lyndon Johnson Library.  Each library was very different but we enjoyed both of them.

Dave was talking to President Bush, but I don't think George was listening.

I am siting at the president's desk in  the Oval Office .  Don't worry; I have decided not to run.

Fredericksburg, Texas

June 3, 2014
Spring Branch RV Park
Spring Branch, Texas

Today we drove Dad to Fredericksburg, Texas to see the National Museum of the Pacific War.  He's legally blind and doesn't hear well but he could identify every airplane displayed.  Because he is a World War II veteran, he received a special name badge and a lifetime pass to the museum.  He was very excited about it, but at 94 I don't think he will be using the lifetime pass too many times in this lifetime.

Dad and I are standing in front of a replica of one of the bombs dropped on Japan at the end of the war.

Fredericksburg was settled by German immigrants and retains much of it's old world German style.  We ate lunch at a German restaurant to experience an authentic German meal.  Dave had three different kinds of sausage and sauerkraut.  Dad and I had chicken fried steak.

On the Road Again ..... Finally

June 2, 2014
Spring Branch RV Park
Spring Branch, Texas

We finally left Arizona for the summer and hopefully are in for some cooler temperatures.  This year we had a passenger with us on the first leg of our journey.  My Dad decided to come with us as far as Spring Branch, Texas and will be visiting with my sister before going back to Casa Grande. 

We forgot to pack Dave's cowboy hats so he will have to feel like a tourist while in Texas. I don't think it is any big deal because the effect is lost when you wear your cowboy hat with shorts and sneakers. 

Four star ratings must have different meanings in Texas. Here are some of the "facilities"  at our campground.