Gruene, TX and the LBJ Ranch

Sunday found us on the road again, off to Gruene, TX. Gruene was having their monthly Market Days with an arts and crafts show. What a cool little town--I had been there many, many years ago in another life and it doesn't seem to have changed much. Lots of unique little shops, especially Cactus Jack's and a great restaurant on the river, The Grist Mill. It was a beautiful sunny, warm day and we had a ball.

Monday found us heading out to the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, TX. We made a stop at Camp Verde and Jill liked that little store as much as I do. We had lunch at Mamasito's in Kerrville and then I insisted on stopping at Creations--the best quilt store ever. Jill and I both found some things to purchase there!

On to the ranch--there are no more bus tours of the ranch, the Park Service is trying out a new format. People stop at the State Park, get a free ranch pass and a DVD and drive their own vehicles onto the ranch while listening to the DVD. It was a part of our history that was very interesting and we enjoyed seeing the Texas White House office, the only part of President Johnson's house that is open to the public at this time. Lady Bird Johnson died in 2007 and the first floor of the house is being restored to its original condition while President Johnson was in office and will be available for tours.

On our way to the LBJ Ranch, Michael took us on a scenic tour--on a road off the beaten path and wouldn't you know it, I was driving!! The buildings of the old Morris Ranch, a former horse racing track and ranch are visible from the road--an old hotel, barns, all made from the limestone that is so common in the Hill Country.

Late in the afternoon, we headed home for a dinner of grilled hamburgers. The visit with Jill & Terry was fabulous--we took them to the airport early this morning. We made a stop at the local grocery store and Costco and managed to catch up with Laci, our granddaughter, for a while. We are both kicking back and relaxing this afternoon!

Jill & Terry in Gruene, TX

Gruene Hall--either the oldest dance hall in TX or the US, I can never remember which, built in the 1880's. It is still in operation and I have danced on its very uneven and sagging dance floor.

The Grist Mill, our lunch destination

President Johnson's Texas White House office. The press corps dubbed the white farmhouse on the LBJ Ranch the Texas White House and the name stuck.

The Texas White House