This has been a really long day. We are settled in Abilene, TX (when are we going to get out of here?) This morning, we returned to the Pacific War National Museum to snag a couple of books. Then we drove out to the LBJ Ranch, or as it was so aptly named the "Texas White House". Mr. President had multiple tvs and phones in every room, including his bathroom. He spent a fourth of his time in office at the ranch and it was outfitted for any eventuality. The Air Force One-Half had its own hangar and landing strip. LBJ had many heads of state and world leaders visit him there along with staff members. His home office contains three desks other than his and they were left just as they were in the late 60s. Old electric typewriters and telephones adorned each desk. Lady Byrd was an avid Gunsmoke fan and everything came to a halt for her during this program. She loved Matt Dillon! Her flower beds were all just beautiful and as a matter of fact, along with vineyards and wineries along the road to the ranch, there is Wildseed Farm, which raises wild flowers and sells the seeds in packets that are in many large stores, one of which is Wal-Mart! We went in the wine tasting room there and had excellent light bodied fighting wines and a lovely Grenache. We bought one of each and will save them until we get out to Joe and Linda's. They love wine as much as we do. Oh, we did stop at the Texas Ranger National Park. It is fairly new and was quite impressive. Those guys kicked some serious butt! Tomorrow, we are determined to make it to Denver. It's quite a long trek, but we don't have any stops planned along the way. But of course, you never know what we may run up on!!! We have made some stops that weren't planned just because they looked neat. I will post several pictures here which memorialize our day. Will Post pictures in the a.m. I am pooped and ready to get dinner! Pictured is one of the deer that are tame and are afraid of visitors, the Secret Service quarters. Notice the large picture window; it faces the residence. Air Force One-Half is also pictured. More tomorrow.

A post script to my earlier post. We rode up in the elevator with the Border Patrol Agent. I asked him what was going on. His team had been called in from Albequerque, NM to help. I asked him if there was a problem and he said that it was routine for them to travel back and forth along the border. hmmmm. Had a wonderful supper at Texas Cattle Company on Riverwalk.

Today we had yet another adventure. A search for a wine and beer store led us to Spanish Harlem and the Mexican Wal-Mart. What a trip. The doorman was checking all buggies as they exited, but waved us through! John said he was profiling!!! What a hoot. Well, loaded with fresh cocktail fixins, we came back to the hotel and the Riverwalk. I tell you what. 15 years ago was longer than I thought! We struggled to make it to the Alamo, but we were determined and got there fine and enjoyed visiting and re-learning the history and the heroes who died there. We were tuckered out after that trek and decided to take in the Irish Pub for a bite of late lunch. It was so-o-o-o-o good and air conditioned!!! We were hot and tired and it was a perfect respite. We then headed back here to rest our aching backs and legs and feet! Once back and rested, we planned our route for tomorrow. We will be heading West, then Northeast to Comfort, TX and Fredericksburg, TX for day tripping and then Northwest towards Colorado and landing in Denver. We have come to the realization that we just can't go like we used to! It's so fun and educational, but we don't have the stamina to do it all!

Day two. Arrived safe and sound at the Holiday Inn on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. We have a balcony that overlooks the Riverwalk. Such a beautiful city. We will chill out tonight and eat next door and will take to the streets in the a.m. Good night my dear peeps. BTW, Houston traffic is awful and it took an hour to get through.

Our first day on the road was almost uneventful until we arrived in Slidell, Louisiana. Can you believe it? We stopped for lunch at the local cafeteria which served up all the veggies and fixin's that we have back home. In Georgia and Alabama, that is! But to our surprise, there was live music! This little guy was strumming the guitar and blowing hamonica. I went up to take his picture and he handed me an article from the local paper about his and asked me to sing with him!!! I declined, but felt honored until a young lady went up and tipped him and he asked her to sing with him, too!!! Next stop, Lafayette, Louisiana looking for a HI Express. All full with FEMA personnel, still fooling around with the post flood broo hahah. Called ahead to HI in Lake City and snagged a room. Of course, the young lady failed to tell us that it was located on Interstate 210, not Interstate 10. We stopped at every HI Express on I10 from Lake City to Sulphur, Louisiana, but not our hotel!!! Finally, we got a local clerk to direct us to the right spot. We got in after 9 pm and we were whipped. Slept in this a.m. and don't have to check out until noon. Thank God! I won't be ready to leave until then. Have to go through my morning routine. We are such creatures of habit, aren't we? A footnote. The Mississippi River running through Baton Rouge is massive and lined with Oil Containers as far as the eye can see. Also lots of barges loaded with containers. Pretty mind boggling.

Today is Wednesday, September 7, 2016, leaving only 5 days until we hit the road. I have spent most of the morning "Kittying" my jewelry and finding bags for miscellaneous junk that I want to take, "just in case". I have a small toolbox, a First Aid Kit, Camera, Lap Top, Ozark Mountain cups (poor man's Yeti) shoes and clothes. I am also taking a sketch pad and pencils in case I have an artistic urge. We will be carrying everything but the kitchen sink. It's not as if we were going to the jungle or the desert and we will certainly have access to grocery and department stores, but, I am just a girl scout and want to be "prepared". I am so excited about this trip. I made more preparations this time. Last trip, we just had a general idea of where we wanted to go and what to see, but pretty much, followed our noses. I have ordered and received books and maps from several of the states' visitation bureaus and am armed with a plethora of information, possibly more than we will ever need! But for now, I must get back to my jewelry, as I only got halfway through......Love Kitty Nix!

It is August 14, 2016 and only a month away from our next adventure. John and I are going on a trek out west and see some of the sights that we missed first trip. Always on the agenda is a visit with Joe and Linda and all the other California Nixes. Stay tuned for our updates and photos.