Hi All,
Today we visited a variety of sites associated with President Lyndon Johnson.
We watched a video at the State Park Visitor Center then visited the home where LBJ was born in Stonewall, TX. Next we drove 13 miles east to Johnson City where we toured his boyhood home. A special treat on this tour was that it was conducted by our friends Jim & Marilyn Rosenthal who are volunteers at the National Historic Park here.
We then drove back to Stonewall for a tour of the LBJ Ranch and the Texas White House.
LBJ and Lady Bird lived under the shade of this 400 year old oak tree from 1951 to his death here in 1972. During LBJ's presidency, cabinet meetings were occasionally held under the tree.
Instead of a paper guest book, LBJ wanted a more permanent record of notable guests so he had them sign a 12" square cement tile. Visible here are the autographs of astronauts Wally Shirra and John Glenn.
Henry Ford II gave LBJ this Model T.
This Lockheed business jet was the first jet used to transport a president. Even after LBJ got a big 707 as Air Force One, he enjoyed the flexibility of the smaller plane, calling it Air Force One Half.
Pictures were not allowed in the house but it was a pretty simple Texas ranch house if you could overlook the 72 phone lines.
Particularly poignant was the kitchen where the cook was preparing a pecan pie for the Kennedy's on Nov 22, 1963 when they got word of the assassination. The entire staff gathered around the TV, realizing they now served the President.
On a lighter note, Sandy and Carl are not the only ones who need to keep up with their email. Here's Ginger looking for Pet Smart coupons!
We are half way across Texas. From New Mexico to Louisiana there are 878 miles of I-10!
We are headed to Florida to see the kids then up to New England once we are assured the snow is gone.
Love,
Sandy & Carl
Sandy & Carl
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
No comments:
Post a Comment