Dec 21, 2022 Day 5 Fredericksburg, TX

We were greeted by overcast skies and foggy weather this morning. It dipped into the mid30s overnight, but the forecast is calling for low50s and partly cloudy – which we enjoyed later in the day.

I worked a few hours, then we were itching to do something. There is a nature trail here at the campground and we decided to check it out. So glad we did! It was a lovely hike through a unique semi-arid landscape of prickly pears, Live Oak trees, junipers, and much more we don’t have a name for. We started down the red gravel path that is close to the entrance of the park and into a small valley with a creek running through it. The trail follows the creek off and on but winds through thickets of trees and grassy areas before climbing back up out of the valley and to the paved road. Truly enjoyable!

Our next adventure was to travel about 16 miles to LBJ National Historic Park. The 36th President of the United States was born in 1908 in Stonewall, Texas. The family homestead is still here along with many other buildings, including the ‘Texas White House’. LBJ’s ranch consisted of 2,700 acres and over 400 Polled Hereford cattle while he was living. It is a sprawling complex that includes fields, barns, an airstrip and hanger, and the family cemetery.

We opted for the self-guided driving tour which starts at a working farm on the property. LBJ frequented this farm as a child playing with the children who lived there. It’s like taking a giant step back in time here. There are sheep, turkeys, chickens, a very large hog that Justice was quite startled by, a garden, blacksmith shop, and the homestead. There were 2 park volunteers preparing a meal on a wood burning stove and she explained how she’s learned to cook on the stove. It was so very interesting.

Our next stop was to stop and view the State of Texas Bison herd. It’s the closest I’ve ever been to one and they are massive. We didn’t take Justice up to them, not sure how either they would react.

From here we visited the family cemetery where LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson are buried. It is a beautiful setting surrounded by a stone fence with massive Live Oak trees throughout the grounds. These trees are so unique and impressive – we imagined how as a child; they would be so much fun to climb.

The park trail winds through a series of fields where white-faced Herefords graze and walk freely across the road and fields. From here it brings us to Texas White House grounds and the hanger that houses a jet that LBJ joked was ‘Air Force One-Half’ – since it was a small version of Air Force One. He was the first VP to use a jet.

The Texas White House was closed for renovations but standing in front of the house was awe-inspiring. The home is relatively modest with part of it built in the 1800s and is flanked by 2 massive Live Oak Trees with 360 views of the hill country surrounding it and the Pedernales River that runs in front of it. It is simply spectacular.