Arizona Bound

Monday, October 16, we wrapped up a few weeks stay in Coldspring at our sweet little spot in the Sam Houston National Forest.  And we learned that all of our camping there might be against the rules.  Over the weekend a very nice hunter told us that hunting season had begun on October 1 and that camping where we were was not allowed.  Plus the idea that an arrow could come zipping through our campsite (it's bow season) was a little scary.  Charlene and Alan and Michael spoke with the hunter, who returned the next day with a copy of the regulations for us to keep.  We need to learn if camping is allowed there in the non-hunting season.  Meanwhile, Alan and Charlene left on Sunday, and we headed out on Monday.

We headed through Conroe, Buda, and Marble Falls and Thursday, landed in Johnson City, Texas, birthplace of Lyndon Baines Johnson.  Along the way we visited the Canyon Dam, in Canyon Lake.

Canyon Lake and the spillway.

The dam, a popular walking spot.

Driving in Texas Hill Country, a beautiful area in central Texas.  Although green and hilly, there's lots of prickly pear cactus around.

Welcome to Johnson City!

Our visit to Johnson City included a few hours at the first of two districts of the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and National Historical Park, which documents the origins, ancestry and life of the 36th president.  We stopped in the visitor center for information, exhibits and two short videos about the president and the First Lady.  We toured LBJ's boyhood home and some of the out buildings.

This was a lovely spot with old live oaks and pecan trees.  I was particularly taken by the trees, as they were at least 200 plus years old!  Majestic and full of history! 

The exhibits included several like the following, outlining his presidential work on key issues of the day (still appropriate for now).

Michael admiring one of many varieties of trees on the property.

LBJ's boyhood home.  Some architectural details below as well as interior pics.

A porch bedroom!

As we walked around we found an owl pellet under one of the grand old trees, with bones in it.  Couldn't identify the animal that served as dinner for the owl!

The laundry out building:

After this visit, we drove around a bit:

This was a general store from LBJ's childhood, but now houses an exhibit and Chamber of Commerce.

We left Johnson City for a local rest stop, again with beautiful old trees and grassy lawns:

We spent the night here as this rest stop allowed visitors to stay a max of 24 hours.  Above, an example of trying to herd cats!

We'll be back soon with a post about the LBJ ranch, cemetery and other features in Stonewall TX.

Catch up!

Michael has baked an amazing banana walnut cake in the Dutch oven over outdoor fire!

Nevelle sleeping through his playtime with Precious!

Being retired means coloring books for adults outdoors!

Tiny delicate mushrooms!

Campfire with a waxing moon!

One of four ruby-throated hummingbirds.  When not drinking, they will stand their ground protecting their territory!

Update-- I have completed five physical therapy sessions for my lower back, hips and shoulder, and so far no improvement.  Rather a new area of my back, the tailbone, is quite painful.  Out of the clear blue sky something new pops up and it is making me very frustrated.  There are seven more sessions, so hopefully I'll feel great soon.  

Still camping in the national forest with fiends Charlene and Allen, and throughly enjoying the butterfly show!  Common Buckeyes, loads of black swallowtails, a monarch of two, a queen, tiny clouded sulphurs, tiny checkered whites, gulf fritillaries, giant swallowtails, and more, along with some beautiful dragonflies.  Enjoy sitting outside in the morning, listening for the pileated woodpeckers who then soar overhead.  Although we are enjoying our stay, we are anxious to be on the road.  Will update y'all on those plans next time!

A Texas Day

I just wanted to share some photos of the Sam Houston National Forest with you.  Aside from an errand or two, we are enjoying our time at a campsite with friends Charlene and Alan.

Silhouettes of a ruby-throated hummingbird, one of four which have been visiting our two feeders.   Watching them interact is great as they all display territorial behavior.

A phlox-like flower is one of several plants now in bloom.

Then there's Nevelle, sleeping through a warm and sunny day!  Mostly it has been hot here, and when a breeze kicks in we all cheer!  Temps are scheduled to come down into the low 80's in a few days.  Rain showers kick in most afternoons and then disappear and the sun is back out.

A beautiful sunset seen from our campsite.