Anniversary

   Saturday March 31 is the Fifty First anniversary of the first date I had with a cute young lady from Fairmont, Minnesota.

   I met her in bowling class Winter Quarter at Mankato State.  She was in the alley next to me because we were placed alphabetically and her maiden name was Volk.  Luckily the V's and W's shared the ball return so we had chances to talk.  I liked talking and joking with her and she looked good in bowling shoes so I asked her out.
     It was a Friday and we both had jobs later so we found time after classes and before work.  We drove out to Minneopa State Park near Mankato and wandered around and then explored the Grist Mill nearby.  It was great fun.  I enjoyed her company.  I enjoyed her sweetness.  I enjoyed her presence. 
 
      I still do.

Thursday Exploration

    Today we are going with David and Judy and exploring around Kerrville.  We've been there a couple of times but have not been to Gibsons yet.  We have been told that "you need to check out Gibsons" so it is on our agenda.  Also there is supposed to be a Stonehenge nearby as well.  I wonder how it compares to the one in the Columbia Gorge.
     Last night, being Wednesday night, we went to Albert.  Albert is nothing but a bar and a dance hall.  The dance hall is only open on the second Wednesday of the month so we went to the bar next door.   The band that plays there has some pretty accomplished musicians.  They had been at it for several decades so the quality of their work shows.  Locals come to Albert most every week to listen, dance a little, drink beer a little, and mingle.  It is a great local spot.  Lots of "Characters".  Somehow some tourists manage to find the place as well.  We had fun talking to a couple from Illinois.
      There is a food cart on the premises called the "Pig Pen" but don't let the name fool you.  The menu only has 5 or 6 items but they are all tasty and voluminous.!   Randa and I split a burger and it was plenty.  Nothing like a burger so thick that you can barely gets your mouth around it and so juicy that the juices run down your arm.  :) 

Waco

Took a rather long road trip to Waco on Wednesday.  3 plus hours.  The main reason was to visit Magnolia Farms Silos.  If you watch Fixer Upper on HGTV, you will know what I am talking about.  Actually, there is plenty to see in Waco.  You could spend a day or two easily.  Some possible sites are Baylor University, downtown, the Waco Mammoth National Monument site, the Dr Pepper Museum. the Texas Ranger Museum, and of course, the Silos. 
   Evidently lots of people watch HGTV because the Silos site was crowded !!  And this was in the middle of the week.  I can only imagine was it was like during Spring Break.  The facility was well thought out and very user friendly with large open areas, covered picnic tables and several food carts to take care of hungry shoppers.  The green area that you see in the distance is a turf  "field" that is perfect for kids to kick soccer balls and run and play.

The inside area was large but even in the midday time the lines were long at the check-out counters.  People didn't seen to mind.

Sunrise

 Sunrise at the ranch comes later now that Daylight Savings Time is in effect.

LBJ 100

   Saturday was an extremely busy day.  The annual LBJ100.  A bicycle event that draws riders from all over Texas and other states as well.  This year saw a record number of riders, 1526 attending.  Figure in their vehicles, passengers, and the logistics involved and you have a major undertaking.            The starting spot was the south end of the runaway at the LBJ Ranch.  The riders had the option of several loops of various lengths from 10 miles to 61 miles.  There were 8 rest stops along the way maintained by volunteers that provided snacks, water, and bathroom facilities.  The day dawned cloudy which kept the temperatures down which was great for the riders.  This is what the admin area looked like right after our 6am organizational meeting.  The big tent is the food tent.  Burgers were provided for the folks after their ride.

     The runway is 6300 ft long.  It was filled to the brim with parked cars, expensive bikes, and Spandex of all colors.  A very enjoyable day for everyone.

Spring Break

According to the Park Service last week and this week is Spring Break.
         Last week was quiet.  Only a couple of families stopped by.  The additional programs were sparsely attended.
         This week.     Holy Cow!  The dam burst !  We have been flooded with visitors.  Lots of families, lots of kids.  Programs are busy.  Saturday was ok, but on Sunday the crowds started coming so the folks that worked then were busy.  Our work days this week are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  444 people went toured the house on Monday, 491 yesterday, and today, no doubt, will be another whooper.  Randa and I did 6 or 7 tours yesterday.  When you do that many it's hard to keep track.
         Monday, Randa and I manned the Junior Ranger table.  Our job was to encourage kids to complete the booklets to get their JR badges.  44 badges were earned.  Our other job was to help people make badges.  They decorated a circular design using colored pencils and markers and then we used a device that made that into a pin on badge.  I made one also, but my artistic abilities are limited.  It was fun, none the less.

Sign of Texas

"Nough Said"

Time change

Last night I was torn. Should I wake up at 2am and turn the clock back to 1am or should I set the clock for 3am and then turn it back to 2am ? 

   I slept through the whole thing.

Sun Bathing

When take the back way out of the park, we cross the Pedernales River about a mile upriver from the ranch house.  Crossing the concrete bridge we always check a certain rock in the river to see if it is occupied.  Yesterday it was.

Project

   Yesterday we drove to New Branfels, Tx. which is located on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio.  The weather took a jump.  It has been in the 60's for almost a week, but yesterday it was nearly 90.  It was beautiful.  We had a delightful drive through the country going both ways because we came back a different route.

    The actual purpose of the trip was to shop at Camping World in New Branfels.  A month ago, to stop a water leak, I replaced the valve gasket in the toilet.  Randa asked if we should have a new model then and I tried to economize.  Well, my repair did not last, so it was time for a road trip.
     So here was my project for today.  This one is porcelain so it looks and feels better.
                           

"Let the flushing begin."

Kids

Spring is here.  New animals are arriving every day.  There are "new" calves to seen every time we drive through the ranch.  But there are also some cute kids to see as well.  These two billies were born about 5 days ago.  Cute, cute.

Evening

More Courthouses

Bandera County Courthouse in the small town of Bandera, Texas which labels itself as the "Cowboy Capital of Texas".  A local told me that actually it was historically a sheep center and cowboys just passed through on their way talking cattle north to market.  Bandera is located about 70 miles south of Johnson City.








Mason is another small town but is in the opposite direction.  It is northwest of Fredericksburg on Hwy 87 about 40 miles.  Another town square. Another stone courthouse.  Charming little town.  Several antique shops to explore.  Also home of the original Coopers Barbecue.  Worth the trip.