Once again having a legal RV, our next stop was Pedernales Falls State Park, just outside of Johnson City, TX. Due to the historic drought the falls were non-existent. But this was not a totally bad thing since it allowed us to explore the actual bedrock of the falls and the trapped pools of water (some containing small fish, who probably are praying for rain). It was very interesting to see the unique formations carved into the bedrock. One of the things we noted while hiking the trail to the falls were many signs warning about flash floods. Because of the drought flash floods were not an issue. But if you ever doubted the danger and power of flash floods, check out the park’s website to see what can happen in less than five minutes.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/pedernales_falls/
That evening we drove into Johnson City for a walkabout. It was a mostly empty and the small main street was very quiet, and it seems the town is now only known for the Hill Country Cupboard and its World’s Best Chicken Fried Steak. In fact, their chicken fried steak is so good, that they proudly boast that nearly 3 dozen have been sold. It is the first place we have eaten where the menus are on brown paper shopping bags. Dan had the chicken fried steak, and has to admit that is one of the best he has had.
http://www.hillcountrycupboard.com/
The next day we left the state park and headed back to Johnson City to check out the Headquarters for the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Historical Park. The Historical Park devoted to LBJ is unique in that it incorporates a National Historical Park in conjunction with State Park run by TX. The Headquarters in Johnson City has exhibits and films on LBJ and Lady Bird, a library for researchers, a couple of buildings from the original Johnson settlement (ie LBJ’s grand parents), and the house where LBJ spent most of his life.Fourteen miles down the road is the house where LBJ was born and spent the first four years of his life. And right next door is the ranch LBJ bought from his aunt in 1951. At this location is another museum complex devoted to LBJ and Lady Bird run by the state of TX. Then you get a CD so that you can go on a driving tour of his ranch, ending at the Texas White House where almost one quarter of his Presidency was conducted. The ranch is run by the National Park Service and is still a working ranch. Turns out LBJ was a very successful rancher even while deeply involved in national politics. He would call his foremen from D.C. a couple times a day, and direct ranch operations over the phone.
Even though LBJ spent a large portion of his Presidency on the Ranch, it was not a vacation. He had an airfield on the Ranch, and there were two small jets constantly bringing members of Congress, Joint Chiefs of Staff, foreign dignitaries, and Cabinet members to the ranch. Johnson felt that sitting under the oaks on the banks of the Pedernales River broke down barriers. Although LBJ was a New Deal Democrat, many forget that he was viewed as a true bi-partisan member of the Senate both as Minority Leader and then as Majority Leader during the Eisenhower administration. One very unusual thing in his office at the Ranch is a stack of official and legal USA one dollar bills with LBJ’s face on them. These were not printed during his Presidency; if you want to know how he legally got them, you’ll have to take the tour.
http://www.nps.gov/lyjo
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lyndon_b_johnson/
Trivia – What is a trammel? What is a dogtrot cabin?
2 comments:
Well, I am glad to see that they still have the touch after serving three dozen steaks.
We have to get to the LBJ museums and ranch. Missed them last time thru.
Definitely recommend the LBJ ranch even for non-liberals. One thing Americans tend to forget, is that LBJ decided not to run for a second term because of the divisiveness his administration was causing throughout the country. Too bad other politicians didn't learn from his example?
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