On Wednesday, September 5th, it was time to head home from our detour vacation in Fredericksburg and we still hadn’t gotten a State Park visit out of the trip. With no real rush to get home by a certain time, we jumped on the nearby day use park of former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s historical site.

It was really an impressive and large set up! The area was split up into state park and national park sections. A small museum about Johnson and his family and a working farm representing the early 1900’s were on the state side. The National Park area across a Farm-to-market road held many in tact historical buildings for the Johnson Family on their cattle ranch that is still operational.

We started on the state side where we were already parked and walked to the Sauer/Beckman Farm along a “nature trail”. We encountered a memorial statue of Lyndon Johnson and stopped for a photo op while Sally barked at it, haha. Also on the way, there was a neat display on whitetail deer’s yearly antler cycle and a cute little footbridge.

The farm was FANTASTIC! Everything had been restored and preserved to replicate farm life in the early 1900’s. Complete with period costumed “residents” that took you along on their daily chores and let you participate where applicable. First we learned the ownership history starting with the German Immigrant Sauer Family building the 2 room stone house in 1869. By 1885, they had 10 kids and built the 2 story building beside the stone cabin to house the children/farm workers bunkhouse style. Boys slept upstairs and girls downstairs. In 1900, the Beckmann family “acquired” the farm and thanks to WWI took in substantial income with cotton farming and by 1915 built the posh house next door. They converted the bunkhouse into a kitchen and connected the 2 buildings with a dog run porch perfect for dining. The property stayed in the Beckmann family adding electricity in 1945 until sold to TPWD in 1966. Archeological survey took the house back to its prime in 1915 and froze it there.

When we arrived, the man and woman on staff that day were preparing their breakfast on the wood burning stove and the kids got a run down of the food on hand that day. Everything being harvested from the farm itself. We self toured the original stone house and fancy house when the woman caught up with us told us an interesting story about the 1 Sauer son that left Fredericksburg and travelled the world as a member of the American Embassy.

She then took us to the barn and introduced us to their 2 dairy cows, bull, new babies born to each dairy cow and pig. Strolling all over the farm were chickens, sheep and 1 old turkey that is now a fixture- not dinner. The cows were very friendly and the pig was fascinating! Apparently they only keep pigs for their annual butchering that they do onsite each January, but this particular one is “some pig” and gets to live her days as a pet.

The garden was envy worthy and the kids got to collect eggs before we headed out for lunch. We spent over an hour in that one area and I could come back again and again to just to see what they were up to that particular day!

We found a perfect picnic area by the longhorn pasture and when we were done with lunch, headed across to the national site for a drive thru tour of the ranch. After a quick look at the one room schoolhouse that Johnson attended as a boy, we drove past the home he was born in, grandparents’ house and the family graveyard.

Once across a cattle guard, we drove through the ranch around to an airport that was put in place so President Johnson could visit his ranch when he wanted. It was pouring rain at this point, so we made the quick run to the retired, small Air Force one jet on display for a few photos, but skipped the museum set up in the old hanger. Apparently you used to be able to drive by and tour LBJ’s post presidential ranch house coined “The Texas White House,” but not anymore. Oh well.

Finally, no ranch tour would be complete without waiting for a cow to cross the road 😉.

This park was the perfect end to our Labor Day Getaway. I’m grateful it is on the way to Rocksprings, I especially would like to pop back into the farm every other year at least!

-Lindsay

Nathan was able to extend the Labor Day holiday into a 5 day weekend and we took the opportunity for a trip to the family property in Rocksprings. Our plan was to depart Sunday and return Wednesday allowing Monday for activities at the property and Tuesday for a day visit to the nearby South Llano State Park. The weather forecast was constantly changing with rain chances and we figured we would be in the clear for the most part. Especially with the trends of this summer. This would be Sally’s first long distance road trip and I was anxious to see how she would behave in this particular environment. I was hopeful to not have to pick cactus out of her constantly! We would also be trying out the pop up at the property for the first time and were really excited about the prospect of having additional lodging space. Nathan even managed to fabricate and weld a rack onto the front of the trailer for the generator and gas can before our trip. Something that will come in handy for any future trips anywhere!

Our ride out was seamless and fun. I really like the new route we have now that we don’t travel from Houston via I-10. Once we arrived, there was some trial and error for where to place the camper for the most level ground and accessibility. However, after only one rehitch and move, we had it set and leveled just in time for the first downpour of rain. We took the opportunity for an early dinner under the shed and were able to pop up and settle in after eating.

The kids and Sally spent the rest of the evening exploring around camp. Everyone including the dog did really well minding their surroundings and would even disappear out of sight as a group. The kids attributed Sally with leading them back to camp when they felt turned around. Haha!

We settled into the camper for the night just before dark and the start of yet another rain shower. Yay.

The rain was light and off/on all night and the following morning was humid and wet, but not saturated. Our generator also managed to run the camper AC on one tank of gas for a full 11 hours before I got up and turned it off! We were also greeted by one of the more colorful sunrises I’ve seen there!

After Nathan cooked breakfast, we took off down the hill for a hike and to check the feeders. The kids had a blast climbing the tripod and exploring PawPaw’s recent bulldozer work. Nathan was disappointed to learn his trail cam had been busted up by animals, but everything else looked good.

On our way back up the hill Ashlyn noticed the prickly pear cactus apples were a ripe dark pink and fixated on trying one. She retrieved a cup and some tongs from camp and set off to harvest some. Once she returned with a cup full and after a quick google reference, I managed to peel and de-seed a few for consumption. Ashlyn loved them! My best description is they tasted somewhere between a watermelon, kiwi, strawberry and an apple; but with a salty aftertaste. Weird.

Weston even enjoyed a solo walkabout and disappeared for 20 minutes after asking permission. He returned in time for lunch and after that it was pew pew time ;). Nathan and I managed to put substantial rounds through many firearms that we have not shot in ages. Even some that have never been shot! Nathan pulled some clay birds for me and I feel like I’m properly warmed up for our upcoming dove hunt. I definitely enjoyed the kids cheering whenever I busted one. Which was only about a third of what Nathan threw. 😆 The kids did fantastic in allowing this activity with their safety consciousness and instruction following.

Ashlyn surprised me when she asked to not only shoot the .410, but also my handgun. She and her Daddy worked well together and it was a positive experience for all. I look forward to backing her interest in handguns up to a .22 revolver to work on aim and handling then back up to semi autos. She is already farther along than I was at her age.

Sally was phenomenal! I was concerned about her reaction to the noise of gunfire but after closely watching her lack of reaction every time we fired, I have decided we have the PERFECT DOG. Dinner was delicious that evening and after the dirty kids received sponge baths, they settle in for bed just before dark ready to play in the Llano River the next day. Nathan and I went to bed and hour or so later after a rain-less day and thought nothing of the lightening on the western horizon.

The shit show storm showed up about 10:30 that night and never. went. away. The kids managed sleep with minimal tossing and turning during the wind, pounding rain, lightening and thunder. Nathan slept off and on. I, however, went back and forth from laying awake panicking over how we would get down the almost 2 mile long dirt and rock road without getting stuck to sitting up holding brace bars that were trying to collapse in the high winds. Freaking sucked.

At about 5 am, the rain slacked to a shower and Nathan and I found cell signal enough to see that the rain would not be letting up for days and another heavy band would be there by the afternoon. We were already sloshing around in puddles and slick mud and made the decision that it was too late for the camper to get out but we could attempt with the car. The kids were able to hang in the cabin until we had locked down everything and loaded what we could fit in the car. By 8 or so we were off and with Nathan walking ahead to survey troublesome sections of road and me behind the wheel, we thankfully got to the highway after much drifting and sliding through the muddy roads.

Once realized we had made it out and Llano State Park wasn’t an option anymore, we just didn’t feel like throwing in the towel and going home with 2 full days left of vacation. I caught the kids off guard initially when I told them, “we have practically the whole State between here and home, pick a place.” Haha. Nathan was thinking Fredericksburg for nearby location and entertainment options when the kids said they wanted to do the “chocolate place we saw on the drive out.” Which turned out to be a chocolate manufacturer and tasting room on the outskirts of Fredericksburg. Nathan searched and read reviews for budget and dog friendly hotels while I drove and we arrived in town by 10:30.

We were wet, muddy and tired and the sweet hotel manager took pity and said she would get us in by 1 pm, 2 hours ahead of normal check in time. We killed time at HEB and picnicked at a park near the grocery store. The kids experienced and fell in love with a skate park. I honestly thought their use of it looked more fun!

We even squeezed in the 15 minute drive over to Luckenbach before checking into our hotel and the kids got to take in the sights.

Showers felt amazing and we caught a second wind! The chocolate tasting room the kids wanted was only open on weekends, but we found another shop that sold fine chocolates on Main St that was open. It was so exquisite! We each selected one piece from their truffles, silk fudges, barks….other kinds that I’m sure I’m forgetting… and set off on foot with Sally. We wanted to end up at Fredericksburg Brewing Co., but they were not dog friendly, even on their patio. Boo. We then passed a sign for Texas Wine Cellars that stated they were “pup friendly”. Turned out, they were not just a wine bar! There was a large variety of taps and bottled root beers, so everyone enjoyed a beverage while Sally got to be with her people. 5 stars for Texas Wine Cellars! After a quick peek in an all dog merchandise store called Dogologie, we made our way back to the hotel for dinner. I made nachos in the microwave and it was yummy and easier than trying to find somewhere to take Sally. It was supposed to be our camp dinner that night anyways!

We stayed in the rest of the night and all were sacked by 8pm. Wednesday morning we slept in, took our time loading the car and decided that we had all day to get home, so why not get a state park visit in afterall? We selected LBJ State and National Historical Site; thoroughly enjoyed 3 hours there and after a slight detour to Cabelas in Buda caused us to sit in 5 o’clock traffic around Austin, we arrived home a little before 10pm.

Nathan continued to check the weather while we were in Fredericksburg, and the Rocksprings area got another 4 inches of rain by the time we got home. I’m so glad we called it on Tuesday morning! While we had to alter plans, I’m so grateful for the sweet and memorable time all FIVE of us (and Sally) got to enjoy together. Now to plan and execute “operation camper retrieval” LOL

-Lindsay