Presidential

We landed in Dallas to a temperature of 29 degrees with snow on the ground.  We were a day late after flights were cancelled because of the snow at DWF.  We went south to escape the bitter cold and snow of the Midwest, but they have been having an unusually cold winter here also. 
We toured the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza, walked up the "grassy knoll", and stood on the X in the middle of the road where President Kennedy received his head shot as the motorcade passed through the Plaza.

From there we visited Pioneer Plaza and the impressive "Cattle Drive" sculpture.  On to SMU to the new George W. Bush (43) Presidential Library.  It was very informative and inspirational.  We found cousin Phyllis' house and spent a relaxing evening and comfortable night with her.

After breakfast, we left Phyllis and headed to Waco to pay homage at the Dr. Pepper museum.  After our tour and free samples, we headed to College Station, home of Texas A & M University and the site of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library.  It was another impressive museum.  Once again we hit the road and headed for Bastrop for the weekend.

We enjoyed the fellowship of  the Bastrop church Sunday, but unfortunately we missed some of our friends who were gone for the weekend. It was a blessed day and we made some new friends. It was good to see D#2's former roommate Katy K. who is working in Dripping Springs.  She led a group of us visitors to a good Mexican Restaurant for supper in the evening.
Between church and supper, we drove into Austin to visit the LBJ Presidential Library.  When LBJ was president, I was still in grade school, so my memory of his presidency is sketchy.  But I learned a lot and my memory was refreshed on what all was happening then.

All in all, our visits to the presidential libraries were filled with a lot of history, politics, and patriotism.  We gained a little more insight into their backgrounds and how that affected  the decisions they made.  There were a lot of interactive displays, collections of photos and papers, historic videos, and gifts of state.  All three libraries also had displays of memorabilia, music, and videos of the culture at the time which brought back lots of memories.  It has inspired me to read more presidential biographies and visit other libraries on future travels.

Up to this point, we haven't noticed a great cultural difference here in Texas.  But, we haven't strayed too far from the big cities yet.

And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
I Samual 8:5