SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND THE CATTLE DRIVE

Tuesday, April 26 – We moved to the Northwest today to Waco, Texas. Boy, Route 190/Hwy 6 is a FABULOUS highway. Smooth as glass. Made riding in the motor home a real treat. Texas highways continue to impress us.....heck with the interstates!

A balmy 95 degrees today in Texas......YIKES!!! We were concerned about leaving Livingston yesterday due to the threat of bad storms in the direction we were headed. Unbelievably, the Livingston area got hit by bad storms and even a tornado sighting was reported. Thankfully, no real damage at the Escapees Rainbow's End Campground. We didn't get a drop of rain or any big winds in College Station. Funny how these storms are hitting some places pretty bad and missing others completely.

We left College Station this morning and drove about two hours to Waco. We are spending at least two nights at the I-35 RV Park. It is just a few miles past Waco in Elm Mott, TX. We think it is overpriced but the cheapest in this area. They do accept most club discounts, and they do give free WIFI. The sites are all gravel and a bit too small. Our pull-thru is long but narrow.

Looking down our street.

Other way.

We have been in a lot of parks but never saw a pet washing station. Great idea for those of you who have dogs.

We did some sightseeing in Waco this afternoon. We stopped at Waco's Suspension Bridge.

Driving the herds from the immense south Texas ranches up the Chisholm Trail, cattle drivers came to Waco seeking the safest crossing to ford the wide Brazos River. By 1870, those hooves marched across the newly opened suspension bridge. Today, it is a tourist attraction closed to all but pedestrian traffic and is now a National Historic Landmark.

Looking back at the counter weights.

Paul explaining to Marsha how the bridge is suspended by the cables.

Marsha can’t even get her hands around all the cables.

When built, it was the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi.

There is a beautiful sculpture at the entrance to the bridge. It represents the cattle drivers of old.

There is a River Walk along the Brazos River. We walked just a short ways. It was too hot to go too far. As we went under one of the bridges we saw this cute little family.

But they were being attached by these…

Paul had to run over and chase them away. He is such a hero!

We had a terrible storm this evening. We had golf ball size hail. Tons of lighting and thunder. We had  winds gusting over 50 mph. Really scary!

We also visited the Homestead Traditional Crafts Village but will tell you about that in the next blog.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

GEORGE H. BUSH PRESIDENTAL LIBRARY

Monday, April 25 - Time to pull-out of Escapee Day's End. One last picture of the RV port being built across the street......It's done but the owners haven't moved back in yet.

We headed west to College Station, Texas. We are staying overnight at Primrose Lane RV Park in nearby Bryan, TX. This isn’t the most beautiful of campgrounds but the price is right…$14/night, Passport America discount. The pull-thru is really long but are a bit unleveled. The hostess was really nice and helpful.

A bit tight on the passenger side.

Looking down our road.

Our way out.

First stop is the George H Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

What a beautiful facility and surrounding grounds here on the campus of Texas A&M.

It was a bit breezy for our visit. Notice the flags.

Pond out back.

This sculpture is called The Day The Wall Came Down…A Monument to Freedom done by Veryl Goodnight.

The exhibit galleries trace his life from his years as a young boy, to his years as a Navy hero and world leader.

While exploring the museum, we viewed a real WWII Avenger Torpedo Bomber similar to the one flown by President Bush during the war.

His was shot down in the Pacific. There is a replica of his Camp David Office,

the Oval Office,

and the Situation Room where Desert Storm was directed.

The museum spans a total of 17,000 square feet. With fascinating exhibits documenting George Bush's leadership during times of crisis, including the reunification of Germany, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the Gulf War. The importance of family, friends and politics are a part of the museum's colorful story, while the overall theme of the museum is the nobility of public service exemplified by the lives of George and Barbara Bush.

Remember this famous jump on his 80th birthday.

You can explore items ranging from a 1925 film of George Bush's first steps in Kennebunkport, Maine, to records and memorabilia from his tenure as the 41^st President of the United States.

We saw this flyer from one of his campaigns. Read what they were serving. Sounds like our type of party.

Paul is giving up on his bid as President. He will be making his announcement some time soon.

Both of us couldn’t resist telling George how they felt about his Presidency. Marsha seems to using a little of her female persuasion.

Paul is just telling it like it is. George seems to be taking it well.

In addition, a special section is dedicated to former First Lady Barbara Bush. There is a special display titled “The Heart Truth.....Red Dress Collection. This is a display of red dresses worn by famous ladies in honor of Ladies Heart Disease.

The one is front is Michelle Obama, and the one next to her is Roselyn Carter.

Barbara Bush and Laura Bush

Marsha didn’t know this display was here but wore the right color for the visit.

The Bush gravesite is on the grounds. One fact that neither of us knew was that George and Barbara lost their daughter, Robin, at three years old to Leukemia.  

We spent several hours in the Library and could have easily spent several more hours----I think Marsha was being kind to Paul and avoided reading EVERY WORD of EVERY DISPLAY!!! Thanks Marsha! Ha! Ha!! We enjoyed our visit and would recommend to if you're ever in the Texas A&M area.

We visited the Texas A&M campus but will report on that in a future blog.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

A HIDDEN TREASURE IN LIVINGSTON

Sunday, April 24 – HAPPY EASTER! We hope you have a Blessed Easter day.


Saturday, April 23 - On Thursday, Marsha took a mystery trip with our friends Fran and Wayne. Fran only told her that they were going to a mercantile right outside town, and that Marsha will love it. Well, Fran was not wrong! They went to Thomas Mercantile on Old Hwy 35 N in Livingston.

Terry, owner, is out front. To your left is Debbie, employee, and Mr. Thomas, Terry’s dad. More on him later in the blog.

All these times we have been in Livingston, months on end, and we never new this place existed. Fran arranged for Terry, the owner, to take Marsha on a tour of the house and give her a history lesson. WOW…Marsha LOVED this place.

The house was built in 1913 by Terry’s grandparents. When they passed away in the 60’s, Terry’s parents just locked the door and walked away. Last April when Terry was visiting her Aunt that lives next door, she parked in front of the house and had a sudden need to look inside. Six months later she opened the Thomas Mercantile. What a treasure. For privacy reasons, Marsha didn’t take any pictures of the living area, but said it is awesome. Everything is exactly as it was in the original house. All the beds, even the one her dad was born in, claw bathtub, lights, etc. were all there.

Terry is very proud of her father. He is WWII Veteran. Now this is an amazing fact, he was M.I.A and a POW. He served in Normandy when he became M.I.A. He was then found to be in a concentration camp where he was forced to work on the railroads for the Germans. At last, he was rescued by General Patton! It is a fascinating story with a very happy ending.

Thomas Mercantile carries only Texas made items or small number of other U.S.A. products. You won’t find any foreign stuff in this store. It is packed with wonderful items.

Cat fan

The counters are filled with food products, special beauty items, cups, etc.

Terry carries some very unusual gifts. One item is handbags made from feedsacks. The handle are discarded seat belts. They are so darling…Marsha’s words NOT Paul’s!

Thomas Mercantile carries their own line of hand cream, soap and body spray. You guessed it…Marsha brought some hand cream home with a bunch of other stuff she couldn’t live without. I will say that it does smell pretty good.

Marsha says, “If you are in Livingston, be sure to stop in and see Terry and this lovely store.”
Side note: When the train goes by, give the conductor the blow your horn sign. If he does, you get 20% off your purchase.

After their visit to Thomas Mercantile, Fran and Wayne took Marsha to a Mexican Restaurant where they treated her to lunch.

Fran recommended the Chicken DiBlanco. Marsha could only eat one of the four pieces of chicken wrapped with bacon. So Paul got to eat lunch at home..YUMMY! The portions were large and prices very reasonable. We will eat here the next time we are in town. Wayne picked up the bill…Thank You Wayne! Fran and Wayne were just full of surprises today.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all later. Have a great day!