The Capital of Texas

We love going to visit the State Capital Buildings in the states that we visit. So being in Austin it was a must do for us to go see the Texas Capitol building. We wanted to do the tour of the capital but because we had already did so much that day my knee just wouldn't permit it... We will do it next visit. The slogan states that "everything is bigger in Texas," and if you look at the Capitol, the phrase rings true. Standing a stately 309 feet and modeled after the nation's Capitol in Washington D.C., this is the nation's tallest. Designed by architect Elijah E. Myers and constructed of red granite, the Capitol took more than seven years to complete. It was finished in 1888, at a total cost of more than three million dollars, an extravagant price even by today's standards. During the dedication, Temple Houston, son of Sam Houston, had this to say about the structure: "This building fires the heart and excites reflections in the minds of all... the architecture of a civilization is its most enduring feature, and by this structure shall Texas transmit herself to posterity..."

Picture on left is a view from the University of Texas campus

In 1983, a fire almost destroyed the building. The State Preservation Board was then formed to help preserve, maintain, and restore the Capitol and its grounds. In 1990, a project began to expand the building, and by 1993, 667,000 square feet had been added. Over the years, many more improvements have been made to the Capitol.

Inside the dome

The Capitol Visitors Center is located in the General Land Office Building, which was built in 1856, making it Texas’ oldest state office building. It is located at the southeast corner of the Capitol grounds and for all you budget minded people the admission is free. It contains a gift shop and many exhibits, including photos, videos, artifacts. We missed going into this too but I am not worried because we plan on coming back to Austin next year on the way to the west coast...

The Texas Governor's Mansion has been the home of every Texas governor since 1856. It is the fourth-oldest continuously occupied governor's residence in the United States. The building is an important example of Greek Revival architecture and contains one of the nation's finest collections of early 19th century furniture. Sadly in June 2008 it was damaged badly by fire and still today not renovated. We couldn't even see it because of all the construction. But I wanted you all to see it so I am posting a before and after picture I got from the Internet.

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!

Oak Forrest RV Park in Austin, Texas

We arrived at Oak Forrest RV park (which is located on the outskirts of Austin) yesterday afternoon around 2 pm .. We didn't know what to expect but we did know it is a Passport America park and we don't expect much from them... This park is definitely the exception! We pulled into a beautifully landscaped park with a check-in office that was more then welcoming...

Once inside the charming man sitting behind the desk check us in. After a ton of questions from my husband and me snooping around the office gathering maps and brochures... also a cute little gift shop that I had to browse we finally were on our way to our site. Not to far to go since we had site #1 which is right across from the pool, hot tub, work out room, laundry and beautiful shower area.

The sites are 30/50 amp, W/E, cable TV, cement pad and grass on both sides of the coach... Of course being winter it is kind of brownish. All in all we felt this is a great deal at $22.00 a night (passport price) and we'll be here 3 nights.

Here is a carving of a coyote that someone did on an old tree that had died... Amazing the talent that people have and what a great idea for a dead tree...

Just click on pics to get a better view

There are so many things to see & do while in Austin but since we are here only 2 full days here is what I want to do:

• Johnson’s Presidential Library
• State Capitol
• University of Texas

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!

Wouldn't You Like to be a Pepper TOO?

Did you know that Dr. Pepper was created in Waco, Texas? Also that it is older then either Coca Cola or Pepsi? (created in 1885) I sure didn't! They are celebrating 125 years this year. Before it was called Dr. Pepper it was know as WACO...

These are the kind of service trucks that delivered Dr. Pepper over the years

While in Waco, we took a tour of the Dr Pepper Museum, a place that serves up history, nostalgia, and Waco’s favorite authentic soda fountain drinks. You can even enjoy a Dr. Pepper Float in the ambiance of a restored turn-of-the-century soda fountain. The museum also recreates the soda fountain where Dr. Charles Alderton first mixed the flavors that make up Dr Pepper (none of which is prune juice—a popular rumor about this classic drink.) In this exhibit, an animated, life-size Dr. Alderton tells the story of his invention.

The next exhibit showcases the original Dr Pepper bottling company, including the well from which they drew their artesian spring water, as well as a multitude of historic soft drink bottles and manufacturing equipment, and an interactive study of the pressure in a soft drink bottle.

This is the bottler from the factory and the Artesian well that they got all the water from

These original machinery was used in the beginning of the Dr. Pepper craze. There is a short silent film you can watch of young people actually labeling the and botteling Dr. Pepper.

The second floor of the Dr Pepper Museum shows the evolution of soft drink advertising over the years. The third floor houses the Soft Drink Hall of Fame. Also on the 3rd floor is the story of Woodrow Wilson (Foots) Clements who started out delivering Dr. Pepper and worked his way up to become CEO of the company. A success story that I don't think could happen today.

Check out this horse made of Dr. Pepper bottle caps and strips of cans!

Enjoy the Dr Pepper Recipes I found on the Internet

DPQ (Barbeque) Sauce
•2 1/2 cups Dr Pepper
•1/2 Cup Oil
•1/2 cup lemon juice
•1 cup catsup
•1 teaspoon garlic powder
•1/4 cup dry minced onion
•2 teaspoons salt
•I teaspoon pepper
*1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon basil

Blend together on stir speed of blender for 2 minutes. Store in tightly sealed container and refrigerate. Shake well I before using, (Will keep for several weeks in refrigerator.)

*May substitute 1/4 teaspoon red pepper sauce.

YIELD: 4 1/2

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Dr. Pepper Jelly

•3-1/2 cups sugar
•2-1/4 cups Dr. Pepper
•¼ cup lemon juice
•few drops red food color (optional)
•3 ounces liquid pectin
Combine sugar, Dr. Pepper & lemon juice in a large saucepan. Add food color if desired and mix well. Place over high heat* and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Stir in liquid pectin at once. Bring to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, skim off foam with a metal spoon.

Pour quickly into hot sterilized jars and seal. Makes 5 (6-ounce) glasses.

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Hot Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper
Thin lemon slices

Pour Dr Pepper into saucepan. Heat* to simmering temperature about 180 degrees F or just below boiling point, (The beverage will appear to be boiling long before if is hot due to the carbonation.) Place a thin slice of fresh lemon in bottom of cup and pour steaming hot Dr Pepper over it.

Serve at once. This drink will be hot - sipping hot or should be about 170 degrees F. when ready to drink.

NOTE: A fresh slice of lemon is required to give the proper taste of Hot Dr Pepper

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Dr Pepper Wings

•2 tsp. cayenne pepper
•1 tsp. White Pepper
•1 tsp. Black Pepper
•2 tsp. Salt
•2 tsp. Garlic Powder
•2 tsp. Onion Powder
•2 tsp. Paprika
•1 tsp. Dried Thyme
•2 tsp. Dark Soy Sauce
•½ Onion, finely diced
•¼ cup Dr Pepper
•3 lbs. Chicken Wing Sections (about 24)
The day before: In large zippered bag, combine all seasonings, the Dr Pepper and onion, mixing well. Add chicken and expel air from bag. Mush chicken around in the bag to distribute the spices and liquid. Marinate overnight in refrigerator.

To bake, turn on broiler. Line a raised cookie sheet with foil.

Place wings on foil and broil about 10 to 12 minutes on each side until crisped and well done, with no pink juices.

Serve hot. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

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Dr Pepper Jell-O

1 box cherry Jell-O ½ cup boiling water 1-1/2 cups Dr Pepper (or Coke)

Dissolve the Jell-O in the boiling* water. Add the Dr Pepper. Use a large container as it foams when you add the Dr Pepper. Chill and eat. Will remind you of an old fountain Cherry Dr. Pepper. Also gives the Jell-O a little tingle!

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We ended this wonderful day by going out to eat at CHUY'S Tex Mex Restaurant...

It is a chain that has Great food and is a fun place...

I forgot to take pictures of the food until it was almost gone...

Go visit these two places too when you are in Waco, Texas.

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!

A Day in Waco, Texas

Today was our day to visit a few sites in Waco... One that we had read so much about was the Waco Suspension Bridge. So off we went early in the morning to check it out.

Waco’s Historic Suspension Bridge was the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi when it was completed in 1870. The bridge was built with cable supplied by the John Roebling Co., who built the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Crucial to traders and travelers for well over a century, the bridge stands as an icon of Waco history. The bridge operated as a toll bridge from 1870 to 1889, when it was sold to McLennan County. The county turned it over to the City of Waco

to operate as a free bridge.

Until late 1869, crossing the Brazos River at Waco could be a risky undertaking. Until then, the only way to cross was by ferry or by fording the river when the water was low. Capt. Shapley Ross had operated a primitive ferry across the river at Waco since 1849. But the Brazos could be treacherous after a rain and sometimes was impassable for days at a time. Especially to the cattle drives coming through the growing town on the Chisholm Trail, that needed a more secure crossing.

The Waco Suspension Bridge triggered Waco's transformation from frontier outpost to city. The waves of immigrants heading west after the Civil War used this easy way across the Brazos. These travelers also needed supplies and equipment of all kinds, repairs for their harness and fresh horses and mules. Waco met their demands, and it prospered and grew. The year the bridge opened, there were slightly more than 3,000 people in Waco. Ten years later, the population had more than doubled to 7,295.

Major reconstruction was done in 1913-1914. The pier towers were rebuilt and stuccoed, with the medieval crenelations supplanted by a much plainer design. Stronger steel cables replaced the original ones. Steel trusses were added on both sides to enable the span to carry heavier loads and to provide walkways. The bridge reopened in 1914 and was used by vehicular traffic until 1971, when it was retired to the rank of historical monument.

Today it is open for pedestrian traffic in a park just east of the Waco central business district near the site of the original Waco Springs. The Waco Suspension Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. This bridge is an incredible structure and if you ever get a chance to visit this area I highly recommend that you go see it and reflect on how it must have been in days gone by.

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!