Motoring through the Great State of Texas

January and February, 2016

EAST TEXAS

This was a beautiful and friendly place to stop for a few days.  Texas Airstream Harbor, Zavalla, Texas is a restful place to stay and collect your thoughts after daily sightseeing.  Airstream parks are doted throughout the country and were more plentiful in the past, but this is a gem with great residents and peaceful a atmosphere.  It is situated on Lake Sam Rayburn and has great fishing and boating and only small gators. It was chilly when we were there however.

The lake is Sam Rayburn which is the largest lake completely within Texas boarders.  

AUSTIN, TX

The beautiful capital has a range of dining opportunities, music and politics.  We took a tour of the city, but so much information was overwhelming. The pictures below are from our extensive tour. It is a busy place even on an early Saturday morning.  Music and  food festivals are scheduled most weekends.  But there are other little known facts about the city.

Driskill Hotel, in downtown has southern style.

Lady Bird Lake has biking and walking paths on both banks.

Austin starts the Hill Country.

The free tour of the capital was so informative.

University of Texas football stadium is very popular since there is no professional team.

I didn't realize this was the final resting place of Chris Kyle.  It was a huge procession I understand.
A tomb stone has to be approved by the Texas State Cemetery governing body and might take as long as 3 years.

Business wise, Austin is known for high tech companies and is nicknamed Silicone Hills.  Richard Garriott, who has duel citizenship, built a British style castle in the hills of Austin.  He is a video game engineer of some note.  Since I am not interested in gaming, I did not recognize his name.  However his father, Owen Garriott was an American astronaut.  Richard was wealthy enough to buy a seat on a Russian space capsule.  The only father/son combination to go to space.

Voodoo Donuts

After walking all day in Austin, we stopped at Voodoo Donuts.  Even in a donut shop, there is a small stage on the right for music.  There was a long line for donuts and coffee in mid afternoon.

After Austin, our next stop was north of San Antonio near New Braunfels and the Hill Country. We camped along the Guadalupe River where fishing and tubbing are attractive summer activities. It was an introduction to rocks, scrub brush and harsh land features.  In other words, not like Michigan.

Our campsite is just to the right...Denny should be fishing for our supper.

Unique house along the river with a view of the country side.

RIVER WALK, DOWNTOWN

Many friends don't know that I was born here.  It was really something special to be back to this beautiful city which I left so many years ago.

We  stayed at a beautiful RV park just south of downtown about 5 miles along the San Antonio River.
Riding our bikes to see the sites was such a treat on temperate winter days.  The entire downtown is very safe, with ambassadors answering questions and keeping an eye on things.  We did take the river boat ride, but only ate once along the many restaurants on the River.  Historical tours are more our hobby.

The Alamo is no longer a church, but it is so important to Texans that men must remove their hats when entering to honor this place where so many died.  Texas has such a diverse history, overseen by 2 countries, an independent country itself, and finally part of the United States.

REMEMBER THE ALAMO.

I never realized that the walk is actually below street level.

One can walk for many miles along both side of the river.  The city has invested so much into making this a destination.

King William Historic District,  a few blocks to the south of downtown.

Many Germans came to settle here in the 1850's, and after establishing businesses and farms, these homes were built in the late 1800's to 1910.  Many are privately owned, but a few are open for tours.  This is a small sample of the different architectual styles

The National Park Service is in charge of the Missions in San Antonio and they do a great job. 

 San Jose was just a short bike ride south of our location, and second in popularity to the Alamo.  It is still a working church, but the park service takes care of the grounds and the Diocese oversees the church. 

The missions were started to bring religion and security to the people in the area. Rock walls were built to surround the area and people established little apartments along the perimeter.

The guided tour of the mission was fantastic.

The active church of San Jose is beautiful inside and I am rather sure that services are in Spanish.

The ruins have been restored somewhat. There was a functional  building with a roof originally.

My saintly husband standing next to St. Anthony, patron saint of San Antonio.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

We spent a week in a condo in Bandera, TX, the Cowboy Capital of Texas, but I am not sure why it is called that. The most prevalent occupation is wine making with several hundred wineries in this part of the state.  We did enjoy visiting a few on a pleasant afternoon.  Sitting several miles off the main road were our favorites, Singing Water and Bending Branch.  People arrive with picnics, buy a bottle of wine and enjoy the atmosphere for a few hours.

There are plenty of hills with rocky soil and not a place I would associate with growing grapes.

  

Ranches are everywhere and you see mostly cattle grazing, but also several house with only  goats.  I wondered why I did not see more local cheese outlets for that reason.  A state park ranger told me the goats provide land tax relief.  All the goats do is wander around and expect little care, but are considered livestock on the property, hence lower taxes.

Our history lesson for the week included a visit to the Lyndon B. Johnson Texas White House.  The entire ranch is over 2000 acres, with 600 belonging to the state to maintain an historical site.  

They are accustomed to visitors taking a look and a picture.  You can see LBJ on his horn.

The ranch house is actually very simple and tastefully done.  President Johnson was born, died and buried on the property.  Lady Bird survived for 30 more years, living in this house until she went into assisted living in Austin.  The home through the years had updates, but original furniture was stored in anticipation of public viewing at some future date.   The tour was fantastic and included many of his cars and the plane used to transport LBJ to the Texas White House.  Many cabinet meeting were held under the oak tree to the left in the pictured.  

This is no Air Force One, but was used by Johnson and visiting dignitaries.

Our trip to the Hill Country ends as we motor west to Big Bend National Park.  It is the least visited park in the National System and perhaps we will find out why.  But we were told it is worth seeing anyway.

BACK ON THE ROAD WITH OUR NOSE POINTED WEST

FLORIDA AND ALABAMA,   JAN. 2015


After a wonderful time with family over Christmas, we picked up the Airstream and headed for our first stop on the Gulf coast.  Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Destin, Florida was the destination for the CAN OPENER AIRSTREAM RALLY where we found old friends and established some new relationships. Santa Rosa Island offers beautiful white sand, bike paths along the Gulf and a variety of villages along the gulf shore.

Seaside, Florida was a "perfect" little community.  No wonder this was the setting for the movie The Truman Show staring Jim Carry.

An unusual Airstream motorhome,

with a gorgeous interior.

Over 100 Airstreams in the park.

Gathering for a potluck.  There were over 100 Airstreams from as far away as Houghton, MI and Ontario, Canada.

MOBILE, ALABAMA

After a week at Topsail State Park, we drove to Mobile to see the USS ALABAMA battleship and the USS DRUM submarine.  Since we were having a perfect Mobile winter day, we took our time exploring the two exhibits.  We were exposed to cramped living conditions for sailors and somewhat less so for officers on the ship.  Pictures tell the story.

USS Drum submarine at Battleship Park,  Mobile

USS Alabama WW ll battleship

Many sailors who performed a trade sometimes had a bunk right where they worked.

Officers were a bit better off.

You still need a hair cut.

The 60 Marine landing force which the Alabama carried had their own spacious living area.

The submarine Drum was equally as exciting and the command area is nearly identical to any sub movie set.

This pass through is for small agile bodies.

When the sub was silent running, sandles were worn to cancel any foot noise.

We  were treated to Southern hospitality by Allen and Vicky, fellow Airstreamers, who invited us to their Mobile, Alabama home for dinner the night before we left for New Orleans.  What a wonderful treat! We are blessed to be a part of such a community.

FRENCH QUARTER, NEW ORLEANS

Staying in Buccaneer State Park, Mississippi, we drove west to New Orleans for a quick trip into the city.  Everyone warned us not to overstay our welcome there into the evening hours, however the most challenging part of that excursion was driving the truck down narrow, bumpy streets seeking a parking place.  We actually felt very safe walking around, eating muffuletta sandwiches and beignets with coffee.

Every street makes an interesting picture.

Talented musicians everywhere.

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Ok, so I couldn't wait for the picture before I took a bite.

Market along the Mississippi River.

I think my "sugar daddy" took some of my beignets!

We saw the French Quarter in an afternoon not wanting to linger. One more location off the bucket list.

NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI

This was not part of our original plan, but what a fun detour north.  Natchez is at one end of the Natchez Trace, a 444 mile trip from Nashville.  As one of the riches communities in the South, the city was spared the destruction of Vicksburg, but felt the economic downfall of the Civil War.   Located 2 hours north of New Orleans alone the River, it still showcases the life style of an Antebellum town with numerous period homes.

Pushing cargo up the Mississippi against the current.

Each home has a name and a unique family history,  however their demise was for the same reasons.  The cotton plantations were out of town and the homes were for social purposes.  But to prevent the lucrative cotton crop from falling into Union hands, the Confederate forces burned 2 years of product.  Sadly the move bankrupted the wealthy plantation families.  

Every year, numerous private homes are opened for touring in addition to the 12 which are open year round.   A town to see if you are in the area.

This family lived in the basement while the next 2 floors were being finished.  But the war changed their plans.  The 10,000 sq. foot basement was indeed beautiful however.

TEXAS, HERE WE COME.  WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO SAN ANTONIO AND THE HILL COUNTRY VIA TEXAS AIRSTREAM HARBOR IN ZAVALLA.

Zavalla, TX has an Airstream Park,  Looking forward to the visit.

Gulf Coast of Ft. Meyers

Edison and Ford Winter Estates

This was such an interesting afternoon visiting the homes and getting to know the men themselves.  Edison was the older by 16 years but definitely the more excentric from my perspective.  Edison, Ford, Firestone and an naturalists named Burroughs would camp in southern Florida in the early 1900's for fun.  However, Edison hated exercise, took frequent naps, smoked 8 cigars a day, but enjoyed conversations at the campfire.  These men took a Model T into the wilderness, but were followed by an entourage of many Ford autos loaded with tents, gourmet food, wood, and other necessities for their camp.  This was a time with few paved roads, bugs a plenty and an abundance of roaming wildlife.  Not fun from where I sit.

Edison came to Florida for his health and settled on this particular piece of land because it offered abundant bamboo trees.  The bamboo fibers successfully added to the life of his lightbulb.  Most of his waking hours were spent in his laboratory and little with his family with a thousand patents to his name.  Henry Ford built a modest home next to his mentor and close friend.

The homes and gardens are beautiful, but from the original pictures on display, it looked a bit more rugged when the families lived here.  An afternoon well spent.

SANIBEL ISLAND

The best part of Sanibel was not the beaches.  We took a boat ride around the island and picked up some friends who enjoy the wake.  

To me Sanibel is a little over rated with the HUGE homes, crowds and less than stellar water and beaches.  

We camped at Koreshan State Park Historical Site while we stayed near Ft. Myers Beach.  The Koreshans were a group of people that came under the influence of an unorthodox leader who persuaded them to move to sunny Florida to start a colony the late 1800's.  They successfully grew with a variety of business to sustain them, until their leader, Mr. Teed, died.  He, unfortunately, did not return from the dead as promised, even though his body was left outside for 8 days. Consequently the colony went into decline.  The buildings they occupied, however are nicely preserved and make for an interesting walk.

NAPLES AND FT. MYERS BEACH

The highlight of our trip was spending time with Denny's sister Pat, and her husband Bob.  They took us to some of their favorite places which included Naples.  We think the house belongs to Steven Spielberg and Denny was able to snatch a picture from the beach.

This is only a small portion of the estate.

The RITZ

The Gingerbread House (completely made of cookies and candy) located in the lobby of the RITZ  CARLTON  in Naples.
Pat and I posing in front.

Pat brought us to Sand Sculptures at F. Myers Beach.  This is a competition, but the art is bulldozed at the conclusion unfortunately.

What a lovely time we had that week thanks to their hospitality!

NORTH TO SARASOTA AND BEYOND

Oscar-Scherer State Park near Sarasota was the next stop as we head north.  We did very little site seeing but did take advantage of the Venice Beach and The Legacy Bike Trail all of the days we  camped there.  Nothing but sun and fun...no forts, historical homes or museums to tour.  The bike trail, 20 miles long through the Florida landscape, was adjacent to the park.

Beach at Venice was wide, beautiful and easily accessed.

Soaking up the last of the warm sun before we head to Michigan for Christmas.

See you next year as we venture West in January 2016!