LBJ and Wild Flowers

On Thursday, May 1st we left early and headed for Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. The last time we visited there was before we had kids, so we wanted to get down there again, plus it has so many things that we knew the boys would enjoy. 

After pit stopping and checking out the visitor center we sat through a few minutes of the educational video in the theater. It was a neat video of LBJ on the ranch and how he incorporated the ranch into his presidency, but it didn't hold the attention of the smaller people, so out of respect for the one other couple in there with us, we bailed and headed for the woods.

A short walk down from the visitor center, down a forest trail is the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. With the exception of being located next to the LBJ property, I don't think there's any other correlation. But it's all linked together and the farm is great, personally, one of my favorite parts.

There are people in "costume" walking around and leading small tours. Other than that its completely open and you can wander anywhere.

And we did. Including chasing chickens.

This barn is beautiful.

Inside the barn, looking out the back window you can see and smell the cows much better.

Gear.

Those chickens thought they would have a quiet morning.

Then he headed for the sheep, but thankfully, before we had to redirect him, he stopped and broke into a happy dance.

Having a little chat.

After leaving the farm, we completed the circle trail that goes through the woods around that part of the ranch. It is a really neat trail with giant stones to hop across, riverbeds, and lots of wildflowers. Thistle are my favorite.

Alan has perfected thistle photos over the years.

We walked back to the car and started off on the self "driving tour" of the ranch. The first stop is the Junction school, where LBJ attended class at a young age. It was at this school that he came back to sign the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 1965, you know the one that created Title I schools and caused such a stir with bilingual education programs. 

The inside is pristine, probably thanks to the glass wall erected just inside the door that keeps visitors from entering the classroom area. It is a neat building that has been surprisingly well preserved. At the push of a button a man with an exaggerated southern Texas accent comes on a speaker and talks about what took place in this school house.

From the school house, we traveled down a road that runs parallel to the Pedernales River. Our next stop was the Texas White House, the big house that Ladybird lived in right up until her passing in 2007.

Cute little house that was used for security during LBJ's presidency.

At the Texas White House there is a hangar that houses the jet LBJ would use to land on the runway at the ranch. This plane was brought to the ranch in the summer of 2010. 

The Texas White House tour is the only part of the whole experience that costs, but only three dollars a ticket. We bought four tickets and joined a group that was already under way. But as we were waiting outside for our chance to go in, Adam ate asphalt and went on a downward spiral. So Daddy graciously took the little beast away and Aaron and I got to go inside. The last time we were there Lady Bird was still living in the house, so it was not yet open to the public. 

The house was interesting. Modified for a tall, type-a workaholic. Aaron found it fascinating that there were at least three televisions in every room in the house. The tour guide explained that in his day, that was the only way LBJ would stay up on the news. Three networks, three TVs. Lady Bird had quite a few modern updates done, so as they took out old furnishings, they stored them and when she died and the house changed over to the national park service, they removed all of the modern touches and restored it to its 60's style. To my dismay they do not allow cameras inside the house. So I took this one from the website...

LBJ's desk and cabinet room. The beagle painting on the wall is of one of his dogs whom he called "Him." The other one was called "Her."

The front lawn overlooked the river. There are photos of cabinet meetings and discussions with generals taking place in these very lawn chairs.

On the way back through the hangar to exit, there is a small museum of LBJ's car collection, including his famous Amphicar. 

From the LBJ ranch, we headed west. Our final destination would be a late lunch in Fredericksburg, but first we stopped in to the Wildseed Farm.

It is far more than a nursery to purchase plants. They have fields and fields of in-season wildflowers surrounding the store in the middle.  

Poppies.

Even the store area is gorgeous.

There is a giant loop gravel road/trail to wander down in order to better see all of the in-ground plants they have.

Perfect for running.

I was captivated by the field of red poppies. 

The fields also make good photo backdrops. They used to charge for taking pictures there, but I'm thankful they gave up on that. 

After the Wildseed Farm we went into Frederisckburg to eat at our favorite spot, the Fredericksburg Brewing Company. Then we took a different scenic route home. It was a good day of exploring!