Tres Rios RV Resort, Glen Rose, Texas ~~ Flooded & Dry

I have seen the Brazos River, Paluxy River, and Squaw Creek so high they flooded over their banks and into the resort, and also very low, low enough to walk in. Right now they are very low. There used to be a path down to a dock which had water underneath it all the time and where tubers would sometimes get out of the Brazos. When the Brazos flooded a huge tree fell onto the dock, crushing it, and then silty clay came down the Brazos enough to form an island under the dock and the area all around it. Now there is no water under the dock and I can climb down the path and let the girls loose to run in the rivers and all over the area.

Path I take down to the island on the Brazos

Heritage Museum, Canyon Lake, Texas

The dinosaurs that walked along algae-covered mud flats left deep footprints . Those tracks were subsequently filled in and covered by sediments. Mineral-rich water seeping into the mud, along with heat and pressure of the overburden gradually turned them to stone.

The dinosaurs that made the tracks are believed to be Acrocanthosaurus and Iguanodon, and lived during the Cretaceous Period. There is also a large snail that made its tracks next to the two dinosaurs. The tracks are embedded in limestone and are slowly eroding away.  The Heritage Museum has built a huge cover over the tracks to keep the weather off of them. The Museum has over 350 preserved dinosaur tracks, estimated to be over 108 million years old.

Second Largest Live Oak Tree, Columbus, Texas

There may be more, but so far we have seen the Largest Recorded Live Oak Tree in Texas, located in Lamar, near Rockport, Texas, calculated to be about 1,000 years old, and the 2nd Largest Recorded Live Oak Tree, located in Columbus, Texas.  I figure it was "born" about 1516. 

This massive tree is recognized by the Texas Forest Service among their "Registry of Champion Big Trees."  It is thought to be about 500 years old with a score of 413 on the index scoring system.  This score combines the tree's circumference, height and one-fourth of the average crown spread.  It measures 75 feet tall, 310 feet in circumference, and a crown spread of 111 feet.  It is one big tree.

Texas Hill Country Bluebonnets

We took a few drives to look at the wildflowers.  We were going to drive the famous Willow Loop Trail but were told by the Llano Visitor Center that we were too early and all the flowers were not out yet.  They gave us other drives to take to view the wildflowers.  I still think we are too early.  They are really in bloom starting in mid-March to mid-April.  But I did take some pictures to share.  Mixed in with the bluebonnets are Indian Paintbrush and daisies.

Pioneer Museum, Fredericksburg, Texas

In May 1846, 120 men, women and children began the last segment of the long and dangerous journey from Germany to their new homes in Texas.  Hope of a freer, more prosperous future for themselves and children strengthened them to endure the miseries of the trip and the hardships yet to come.

Over 160 years later, the people of Fredericksburg celebrate the unique community they created and strive to maintain the culture and the values that sustained them. The Pioneer Museum immerses visitors in the lives of these past generations.  The grounds are shaded by large pecan trees and landscaped with native plants (and funny looking chickens).

Luckenbach, Texas

Of course, we had to make a stop in historic Luckenbach, Texas (Go to Luckenbach, Texas, Willie, Waylon and the boys .....).  There was a group of bikers there, as well as many families.  The famous Post Office is now a store, and they also have a hat store, small restaurant and large open arena where they hold concerts, which are many.  They also have a primitive campground if you wanted to camp there.

Rangers Heritage Center & Fort Martin Scott, Fredericksburg, Texas

We learned about The Texas Rangers at the Rangers Heritage Center (besides what knowledge we had from watching Walker, Texas Ranger). The Rangers started around 1823.  Their service is marked by the Ranger Ring of Honor, noting the names of those who died in the line of service.  The Gonzales Rangers and also called "The Immortal 32" is dated March 6, 1836; The Dawson Massacre was on September 18, 1842; The Mexican-American War was between 1846-1848.  The last date of dedication is 1865. Respect and Integrity is represented by the five point star of this historic Ranger badge and the Rangers themselves.  Over 500 names are listed on the Ring of Honor to preserve their legacy for all time.

Ring of Honor