LBJ to the rescue

I mentioned in my previous post that LBJ – or his State & National Historic Site – came to our rescue by occupying us for a few hours on a travel day. Being a much-experienced and now jaded National Park visitor, these types (and Forts) usually do not hold my interest so I do not go out of the way to go see them. We nearly passed this one by even though it was right in front of us. Only making the decision to stop just before applying the brakes to make the turn, we came to a near-screeching halt at the LBJ State Park.

The area is divided, by a river, into two sections. On one side is the Texas State Park which includes some small hiking trails and historic buildings. Most interesting, to me, was the old homestead dating back to the mid-1800s through the early 1900’s. Volunteers still run the farm today; raising some chickens, sheep, gardening, and even daily milking of the one cow to make milk, cream, and numerous cheeses on site. The smells from the kitchen were simply amazing and worth the hike out all on their own. I could not help but wonder why we allowed technology and industry to take our lives away from this simple and sustainable form of living. I’d give it all up to be a homesteader in the 1850’s.

We had to go back to the truck & trailer to access the National Historic Side of the park. It encompasses the entire Ranch, including LBJ’s birth place and an airport. It is quite large, so the NPS maps out an auto-tour around the area. The dogs got to enjoy the sights along with us, hanging their heads out the window and even occasionally barking at the local cows and herd of goats. It was beautiful rolling hill country with abundant livestock surrounding the entire area. I must have been a cow-boy in a past life, as this place (and places like it) pull my heart towards them with so much force.

While we were visiting the park, Kerri and I both realized that neither of us knew much about our 36th President. What did he stand for? When did he take office? Other than his name ringing a bell in my head, I knew nothing about him. After leaving and driving on towards Austin, I took that time to Google LBJ and got to know him – as our President – a little more. I’ve learned so much in the past 7 years of traveling, and continue too every day.

This above photo illustrates what happens when you stop to get out and snap a photo of the goats through the fence, and Byron finally sees them and sends out a volley of earth-shattering barks. Poor goats.