Texas travels

Just in case I missed telling you ... Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you.  From Helsinki Finland ... to Sidney Australia ... to Mountain View California ... to Upper Saranac Lake New York and all points in between.  Sharon and I wish that you have a safe and restful holiday.

I think most of you know we don't sit around the RV all day munching Fritos and drinking RC Cocola but are snooping around the countryside seeing how the local live and what they do.

Even though we've had extremes in weather the past week or so (high near 80, low of 23) we have managed to find a few interesting things to bring to your attention.

First was another, (yup ... third time) stop to the Brisket Capitol of the Texas ... Lockhart TX.  Aside from the famous, but not too fancy beefatoriums (new word), Lockhart has one of the neatest, and most well kept county courthouses around.  Nothing sleek and modern about this old girl.  Style and grace is what the Caldwell County centerpiece is all about.  Finished in 1894 this grand dame of court houses was actually the third court house built on this site and I think you'll agree ...they finally got it right.

Caldwell County Courthouse, Lockhart Texas

Getting lost in Lockhart isn't easy but with a wrong turn here and there, we stumbled across two unique places missed by most.  The N.O. Reynolds Saloon, or what's left of it, was discovered down a dank alley we accidentally ended up in.  If walls could only talk.

N.O. place like home

Here's another interesting, though a little worse for wear, sign from the past.  Does our friend Miki know about this?  This appliance store is still in business though it's good years may be long gone.

Who knew?

Heading north from our camp, the 45 mile trip to Bastrop was a gentle back roads journey across some of the famous Texas oil fields and cattle county.  Oil and cattle seem to get along pretty good but I'm not real sure where all the money earned from these resources is spent.  Many of the folks who live out in the country on these ranches aren't exactly living in 'South Fork' like dwellings (if you remember the old TV show Dallas).  So my conclusion is that even though you have a half of dozen pumping oil wells in your back yard and 200 head of black Angus cattle, you're probably just the caretaker.

Anyway it was a pleasant trip and found the historic town of Bastrop interesting.  A mix of old and new and at least the city fathers had the foresight to keep the two separated.  WalMart and the like were kept away from the historic downtown area.  We ate dinner at a forgettable little eatery in the historic district and had my first example of chicken fried steak.  Now talk about a meal that stays with you!  This is some heavy eating. I think they even had the local cardiologist's phone number listed on the menu for backup medical services.  The pulverized slab of beef (?) was dipped in a heavy batter then deep fried a golden brown.  Then and only then was it smothered in a layer of flavorless white gravy like substance with the consistency of sorghum on a cold December day.  With a side of mashed potatoes and green beans this is true Texas gourmet.  However this may be my last chicken fried steak.

On one of the side streets in Bastrop we found an old time opera house.  Still in business (but not open) it looked like one of those places that warrants a return trip.

Bastrop Opera House

On occasion we'll take a trip to Austin.  It's about 35 miles or so north and we do it strictly for the chance to drive on Interstate I-35.  Six lanes of folks all wanting to get someplace faster than I do.  It's sort of like taking a stress test.  Anyway the state capitol of Texas is without saying, one of the fastest growing cities we've been to in quite a while.  Spreading out in all directions there was nothing recognizable to me as I once lived here some 60 years ago.  It's hip, it's cool, it's music, food, and shopping.  They apparently cannot build enough roads fast enough to satisfy the growth.  However as I age the tranquility of the countryside appeals to me far more than all the hustle.  As they say ... 'a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there'.  But if you're in the area ... do plan on stopping.

Sprawling capitol building, Austin Texas.  Built in 1888.

So there you have it.  Another slice of life from the slow lane.

Still livin' the dream in central Texas.

Phil