Stonewall is only 44 miles from Buckhorn Lake RV Park, so it was a quick trip through Fredericksburg to the location of the Ranch. The Ranch is now divided by the Pedernales River into two separate parks. On the south side, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages a Visitors Center, a day-use facility, and the Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm, which allows visitors to walk among Pecan orchards and fields, glimpsing a view into an historical farm.
Exhibits in the Visitors Center peek into the complexities of the Presidents life. Dealing with an inherited war in Vietnam, economic woes at home, and struggles within his own party, LBJ used all of the political skills developed over many years. He still couldn't quite keep all of his loyal followers:
LBJ's saddle, boots, and hat are on display.
Lyndon Johnson was born at home in 1908. The German-Texan midwife who delivered him, Augusta Sauer Lindig, was born and raised at the nearby Sauer-Beckmann farm. The Johnson home was twenty miles from the nearest doctor, and the family did not have a car.
This desk was used by Lyndon when he attended eight grade at the school in nearby Albert, TX. His initials are carved on the top.
Young Lyndon planted his roots deep into the Texas soil even at an early age.
On the north side of the Perdernales, the National Park Service administers a working cattle ranch.
Lyndon was born in this modest farm house. He enjoyed country life, learning to ride horses, hunt and fish along the banks of the Pedernales.
The driving loop through the working ranch took us by some young twin calves, with Mom keeping a close eye on their welfare!
A long runway was built at the "Texas White House", but was found to be too short to land Air Force One on it, so whenever LBJ visited the ranch, he landed at a nearby air force base and flew in a JetStar to the ranch. Named "Air Force 1/2", the plane was most often piloted by Brig. Genera Jim Cross. Although a fleet of JetStars was at the Presidents disposal, this particular plane was a "Texan". It had been retired 50 years ago by the Air Force, and was rescued just before it was to be salvaged, in the Pentagon's "bone yard" in Tucson, AZ. Restored, it has been put on permanent display near the Texas White House.
Knowing full well that Fredericksburg is a Texas destination, we nonetheless ventured into town on Saturday night for dinner. One of the highest rated restaurants in Fred is the Fredericksburg Brewing Company. The food was superb! Rueben Sandwiches, Unpronounceable German Schnitzels and Sausages filled us up to the brim! Parking was a bit dicey, since every store in town was lit up like the Fourth of July, but walking back to the car, we came across Saint Mary's Catholic Church with the moon in the background.
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