March 31 - April 3, 2010
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Leaving Dallas behind, we looked back on a very pleasant visit with Greg and on weather that could not have been better. Though bound for Hill Country, we diverted first to Fort Worth for a timely lesson in how to make money. There we joined a public tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, one of only two places in the U.S. where our paper currency is made. What a spiffy place --- well guarded, too, as you might imagine, with millions of dollars worth of notes laying about. No photos were allowed on this tour and no free samples either but we did learn that some 60% of U.S. notes are made at this Fort Worth facility. So, if you look on the face of a bill and see it branded with “FW ...,” it means the note was made in Fort Worth. Lacking that, it was made in Washington DC. Now that is useful information!
In Burnet TX we chanced upon a great place to stretch our legs:
For a distance of almost a mile, the wild stream bed of Hamilton Creek has been transformed into an asset the whole community can enjoy. We, too, were delighted to find and use this scenic walk.
Driving south, we had our eyes peeled for the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet. In fact, it wasn’t hard to spot and it is quite pretty:
On some back roads, it was everywhere:
There were many other varieties of wildflowers as well:
Our route took us right through Llano TX where we came face-to-face with this knockout building, the county courthouse built in 1892:
It was only later we learned why the building looked so well-kept --- its tower had been completely restored just three years before.
An overnight stop in Fredericksburg gave us time to visit the National Museum of the Pacific War. It covers in great detail the course of WWII in the Pacific from beginning to end. While the museum IS excellent, it requires the visitor to move through the exhibits to see them --- the information does not “come to the visitor” as in a theater setting. In fact, there is little seating in the museum itself --- best to rest up before entering!
The main entrance to the museum is through this building, which was formerly the Nimitz Hotel. Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg and once lived in this hotel owned by his grandfather:
In addition to displays and videos, the museum has several sizable relics of WWII:
Inside this oddly-shaped structure is a Pioneer Museum. It is a replica of the Vereins Kirke, built as the first public building by the earliest settlers of Fredericksburg. The Vereins Kirke served as town hall, school, fort and church for all denominations.
Lots of folks have heard of Luchenbach TX and have never done anything about it. We decided to be different. Since it was not much out of our way, we searched for this little town after leaving Fredericksburg. It is well off the main highways. As no entertainment was scheduled anytime soon in the dance hall, the place was doggone peaceful. It would have been eye-opening to see it after the season got underway.
Off to New Braunfels, we stopped to admire Canyon Lake and a stretch of the Guadalupe River, a popular tubing spot in warmer weather.
In a park in New Braunfels we spotted this well-supported oak. Somehow, the sight made us feel not so old after all:
Ah, San Antonio and its amazing Riverwalk! Last here in December 1997, we noticed the weather was markedly improved. Walking along beside the water and later dining at Mi Tierra, as we had done so long ago, gave the day a rather festive air.
Don’t think for a minute we had the walk to ourselves; the crowds were all down at the other end, drinking or dining.
Here they are! Getting a photo of Patty with no passersby tested the patience of photographer and subject alike.
The decorations in this Mexican restaurant are a joy to view; the food’s not bad either.
