Some Time with Friends and Relations

We left Livingston, Texas for a short trip over to Katy, TX to be closer to nephew and bride/ Mark and Dean-na and nephew Drew.  We were able to see them at our campsite at Westlake RV Resort.  They had never been to see the Roadrunner so we had a brief visit, some good food.  It was great seeing them since the last time which was in April 2012 at Mark and Dean-na's wedding.

It was too short but still a great chance to catch up with them.

On Thursday morning, we raised our jacks and headed to Austin.  Friday we had lunch with Mark and Megan at Guervo's Taco Bar in SoCo/South Congress area of Austin.

Saturday we got ready for an afternoon visit from Terry and Joanne who live in Round Rock, TX about 30 miles from here.  We have known them since the late 80's when we all lived in Albuquerque.
We have kept in touch and were excited to see them again.  We saw them a couple of years ago at their place.

Had a couple of issues with the second picture.  Not only did I somehow get the 'monochrome' going on the picture, I didn't get back in time to get settled before the shutter snapped.  That ever happen to you?

And then for lunch on Sunday, we met Pam's Aunt Georgeann, daughter Sally and her two teenager's for lunch at Clear Springs Restaurant.  Not only was it some great catfish and a unique atmosphere, we really enjoyed seeing them again.

Georgann's parents were George and Dorothy who were like grandparents to our kids.  They came to see us while we were stationed in Germany and Hawaii.  They were on a bus tour through Albuqerque and we saw them a couple of times at their home in the Ozarks.

LBJ Library and Museum - Austin

Since we are in Austin, we wanted to see the LBJ Library and Museum.  We are never too sure what to expect at these things, but we found it to be quite interesting.  My first impression was that the building is large and mostly concrete.

 It is deceiving, though because inside, it is one of the better ones we have ever seen.  It was very well done.  First we saw the Presidential Limousine LBJ used while in Austin.

Then we saw the Introduction video of his life and presidency.  Nearby we walked though a gallery of famous award winning photos during his term.  (But no pictures allowed in there.)

LBJ was known for a lot of things -- one of them his humor.  He had a way of telling stories that were memorable and you can listen to some of his best ones at the display.  Then there was a replica of the Oval Office and his term highlighted on the walls.

The building is 10 stories tall with a few floors that are not open to the public.  From the second floor you can see some of the offices windows.

I found this display interesting:  famous people with links to LBJ who recognized the impact he had on their lives and careers.

I knew about LBJ and the Viet Nam War, the Civil Rights Act, his Great Society agenda and some other things.  But I was astounded to see the volumes of legislation he marshaled through Congress during his career.  Seeing pictures of him working the phones all hours of the night and day, cajoling, arm twisting and other forms of persuasion plus the lost art of negotiation --- he was in the middle of governing like I remember it.  Times and politics have changed since his time.

One of the coolest pictures was one Pam took of the dog tags of all those Heroes from Texas who died in the Viet Nam War.

Another great museum and time well spent learning more about about Presidents.  Thanks for joining us on the Roadrunner Chronicles!  Until next time...

Time at the Texas State Capitol - Austin Texas

Today we visited downtown Austin and the State Capitol.  It was really impressive.  The grounds were well laid out and the trees and flowers and grass on the rolling hills were in perfect condition.  The structure itself may be the most beautiful of any state we have visited.

We only visited a few and we hope to get to all of them eventually.

Our first visit was the Capitol Visitor's Center.  That building was built in 1856-1857 and once was the General Land Office building.

The Visitors Center is about 100 yards from the Capitol.  Along the way we met a couple of happy furry friends.

Also along the grounds from one building to the next, we saw some monuments that told some of the history of Texas.

High atop the dome is the statute of the Goddess of Liberty.  On near the South entrance to the capitol we saw:  the Confederate Soldiers monument; the Texas Cowboy; and Terry's Texas Rangers.

Next, we went into the capitol.  The structure itself is huge and palace-like.  The architecture is Italian Renaissance Revival and is built of limestone with the outside structure covered in red granite.

Inside, we first saw a large painting of David (Davy) Crockett (who died at the Alamo)

and statutes of Sam Houston 

and Stephen Austin.

Next, we entered the rotunda.  The floor is

On the terrazzo floor you see the six seals of the United States, Mexico, France, Spain and the Confederacy surrounding the emblem of the Republic of Texas.

Looking skyward is the inside of the massive dome.

On the second floor, we toured the chambers of the Texas House of Representatives

and the Senate

One thing I noticed was the detail work even in the door hinges prominent use of the Lone Star in the Senate lighting and chairs and the rotunda.   

Outside we went back to a couple more monuments. I really liked them all but was particularly impressed with the Confederate Soldiers.

The base of the monument has the Confederate Battles from 1861-1865 which is a history lesson in itself.

Then a more traditional bronze statue work with plaques at the Tejano Monument.

Lots to do and see at the Texas State Capitol.  I was another interesting morning learning about the great State of Texas.

Thanks for joining us! And thanks for leaving a comment.