COWBOY MARDI GRAS

Yesterday we were off to Bandero the “Cowboy Capital of the Word” to see the Mardi Gras Parade. The weather for it was great. Nice and sunny with a high of 22C.

There was a huge turnout for the event. People lined both sides of the roads with chairs and used their half ton truck tailgates for chairs. Music was playing from various locations along the main street. People, dogs and horses were dressed in “bling”. Everyone was having a great time and many were able to have a covered beer while watching the parade.

Check out the busts on the women!

A vest made from Crown Royal bags, his wife made - he has a matching hat too!

This is a BBQ - it was smoking in the parade.

 The parade was very good and was just under an hour long. The floats and people in the parade were throwing beads and candy. After the parade we found a bench to relax on in the shade to do some people watching. We spotted a leather store to check out their wears and Cathy noticed a pair of boots on special. (I’m doomed) All I can say it is a good thing she is not a centipede! Funny thing is we travel all this way and the boots are made in Quebec.   

On the way home we stopped in Medina at "The Bakery". It has an orchard off to the side and was selling apple trees in front. Inside they had an assortment of novelties and you could smell the various cookies and apple pies being cooled. There was a sitting area inside as well as outside to enjoy your purchases. 

These pies were 4-5 inches high - cost $25.00 each.

 

Back at the coach we had our happy hour, sitting out, enjoying the sun and watching the herd of deer (13) gather at the usual spot across from us foraging for food. They come every night at the same time.

Till tomorrow.....

LBJ’s RANCH (THE TEXAS WHITE HOUSE)

Sorry, I was late posting yesterday’s blog today as we had to get going to the Cowboy Mardi Gras.

  

Yesterday had a great high of 21C with last night’s low reaching 6.

We decided to check out LBJ’s Ranch but on the way we dropped into Luckenbach, an early German settlement.  I didn’t know what to expect but several people told us we have to go there. As it turns out this is a Tourist trap. There was a musician playing a guitar asking for tips, the restaurant cook asking for tips, and a guy with a long horn steer with a saddle asking for money for a picture. There are about 5 old wooden buildings with the newest being the dance hall. They must have some real good entertainment at the dances as there was tons of parking around the place. All in all you have to experience the place.

Dance Hall

LBJ’s Ranch is located east of Fredricksville in the vineyard area. LBJ bought the ranch from his widowed aunt.  In 1972, a portion of LBJ’s Ranch was donated to National Park Service with the stipulation that it remains a working ranch. They are currently raising a herd of Herefords which are descendants of the President’s registered herd that roam freely on parts of the grounds. You follow a touring map which shows where the stops of interest are.

You will see the school house were the President attended, the house he was raised in, the Johnson Cemetery, a show barn, his very own runway for his jet and his home which included several cars he owned.     

LBJ would call his plane Air Force 1/2

The Crest

Many meetings were held under the tree with World Diplomats

All four walls of the gift room were covered with various gifts he would give to his visitors.

  

  Walking through the house you would notice in the living room 3 identical tv’s lined up in a row. This was so LBJ could watch all three networks at the same time ABC, CBC and NBC. Mrs. Johnson had her own bedroom because LBJ only averaged 5 hours of sleep and the rest of the time he was doing business. We also found out that she had all the money in the family, investing in a failing Broadcasting Business from her inheritance which turned around and became very successful. At one time they had 2 beagle dogs which they named “Him” and “Her”. This was a very interesting tour.

All for now...     

CHECKING OUT THE 3 SISTERS

Yesterday was a nice sunny day with the high reaching 17C, it was a great riding temperature with the jackets on. The low for last night was 2, so it is getting a little warmer over night.

We headed out about 10:30 to check out what they call “The 3 Sisters”. No, these are not about 3 good looking women. These are 3 roads, 335,336,337 about 25 miles west of the campground creating three sides of a circuit 90 miles long. This would have taken a couple of hours if it were straight but by the time we were done hitting the curves, switchbacks, hills and valleys and stopping for pictures we were done by 4:30. These roads were fantastic which created great views and entertainment for us. Another bonus is there is very little traffic.

 In fact, Cathy took so many pictures the camera battery went dead. 

Another thing we have to keep in mind always is the distance we are travelling and how our fuel is, as there are not many stations around.

There would be a big difference in the view with the trees in leaf.

Check out the sign! Yahoo!

 

One section of roadway indicated to watch for cows on the road as there were no fences separating the road from the fields on either side. We would come up to areas where the fences would end at the edge of the road on both sides. The road would then have grill plates across them to stop the cows from getting through (like the farmers have to prevent them from getting out of their gates if opened).  

We continue to see various animals on the ranches. Cathy thought she was on safari.

This is not a zoo - this is Texas!

Gazelles

We think these are Beisa Oryx?

 We then decided to go over to Kerrville to p/u some groceries. By the time we got home it was 6:30 and dark with the temperature showing 10 on the bike. The cold didn’t bother us as we brought along our heated vests and what we call wind pants which cuts the wind.

We were pretty worn out from the fresh air and the work out navigating the roads, spent the evening relaxing and talking about the day.

All for now...