A driving permit is required, but free at the Vistor Center.

LBJ birthplace

If you find yourself along Highway 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City (TX), make sure to stop at the LBJ National Historical Park’s LBJ Ranch.

Entrance to the park is free and just requires a stop at the State Park Visitor Center to obtain a driving permit and audio CD for the driving tour. Some sites to see include the old schoolhouse, LBJ’s birthplace (turned guest house), LBJ and Lady Bird’s burial site, the working cattle ranch, the hangar and the “Texas White House”. Oh… did I mention all the pecan trees, Texas Longhorns, bison and white-tailed deer?

A 25-30 minute tour of the Texas White House is only $2. If you have the time, I highly recommend the tour. You will be surprised to see how things were left exactly the way they were. From embroidery pillows to clothing in the closet to family photos on the dresser. No photos are allowed inside the house.

Before leaving the area, make sure to stop at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farmstead, just east of the visitor center. A tour of the early 1918 farmstead is free and you will literally step into living history – just watch out for cow and sheep patties! The folks dressed up as settlers actually grow and can the foods you see on display. Around lunchtime they actually prepare foods as they would during the period.  And all the food comes from the farmstead (including the meat).

There are actually two parks, the national and the state historic park. Part of the state park is located in Johnson City, so if you may want to venture the 14 or so miles to see that after touring the LBJ Ranch.

There is plenty of parking for Big Rigs at the visitor center, however, you probably wouldn’t want to drive around the whole loop of LBJ Ranch. When you obtain your driving permit, ask what they recommend. There is parking at the Sauer-Beckmann farm, yet is is reserved for smaller vehicles. Yet the farmstead is only a brief walk from the visitor center.

For additional information on these, please visit their websites:

http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lyndon_b_johnson/

Lady Bird and LBJ's resting place

Air Force "One and Half" as called by LBJ

The "Texas White House" - well worth a tour!

Well, it’s been several weeks since I’ve had the opportunity to sit down and post. The holiday season was a little more eventful than we had originally planned!

It started with having to move to a different RV park (that story is worthy of its own posting later on) in the middle of the season… and it continued as our rig needing some attention…

It started with the need for a new door handle. We went to do some holiday shopping and locked the door. Only the door didn’t really want to lock. So the holiday shopping got postponed and we headed for Camping World for a replacement kit.

Then there was the truck… the computer was alerting us that the trailer brakes needed serviced. So we scheduled an appointment with the closest Chevy dealer. Fortunately they got us in quickly and repaired the part which wasn’t “communicating” between the truck and fifth-wheel.

And what is a new year without a new tire? We were in the middle of Austin when we had a very large screw puncture our back inside dual-tire. Luckily we had a safe place to pull over and put on the spare tire. Although I will admit, we aren’t pit crew material when it comes to changing tires. I think it took us twenty minutes. Yet that speed will probably increase since now there is an impact wrench on board!

But no rest for these nomads… we found our lights flickering and although we replaced both RV batteries… well, it was another trip to Camping World for a new converter. 

Oh, and you would think that the “it comes in threes” principle would at least kick in on the sixth thing… yet it didn’t.

There was a problem with the radio in the truck… and some hungry little critter chewed through a handful of wires! So those had to be replaced and sprayed so the toothy critter wouldn’t return. Thankfully this wasn’t more of a problem!

And… that doesn’t include the email and login issues…. So if you have emailed at the previous address and didn’t receive a reply, I apologize as they were lost. Please note there is a new contact address. 

With all that aside, now it’s time to start planning for the next long haul… what other adventures await us in 2012?

However… the overflow of ornaments did require a bigger tree… and well… I’ll let the photo say a thousand words!

Yes - it's a two-tree Camper Christmas.

]]> http://hscooper.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/another-camper-christmas/feed/ 0 Hol two trees 2011 http://hscooper.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/texas-forces-military-museum/ http://hscooper.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/texas-forces-military-museum/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:28:39 +0000 H.S. http://hscooper.wordpress.com/?p=2619 ]]>

If you find yourself in Austin (TX) don’t forget to take a trip to the Texas Forces Military Museum. This museum is located inside Camp Mabry and has a variety of exhibits – from the history of the Alamo to a piece of the Berlin Wall to modern weaponry.

The museum is open Wednesday – Sunday and is free. Since it is located inside Camp Mabry, all visiting adults must show a photo ID at the main gate. Ask for directions to the museum after entering.

Please note there is no parking for big rigs, so only take your tow vehicle. If you are riding a motorcycle, you will want to read the proper riding attire required to enter Camp Mabry.

More information and directions can be found at their website: http://texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/

18 lb. turkey waiting for it's 2011 debut!

I have been compiling frequently asked questions I receive and this one never fails to put a grin on my face – “What about Thanksgiving dinner?”

Yes, you can actually have traditional Thanksgiving dinner prepared in a RV. We have dinner with all the trimmings every year and even end up with a few days of leftovers. Although in order to get them all back in the refrigerator, we must eat an extra piece of pumpkin pie! Well… that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

We usually find a nice 10-12 pound turkey, which is perfect for our microwave/convection oven. We know RVers who also deep-fry (outside, of course) or use crock pots and roasters for their turkeys. Although most RV parks and resorts will put on pot lucks or special dinners during the holidays, it is nice to have a bird of your own on board!

12 lb. turkey waiting in the "wings" for later in the season!

UPDATE Nov. 18: Decided to pick a “heavy-weight” this year – shoved a whole 18-pounder in the RV refrigerator today. Leftovers anyone?

Nothing beats having warm pumpkin pies!

I just hope they will remember the “parking etiquette” that RVers follow when overnighting at retail (i.e. Walmart) parking lots, truck stops and rest areas. These guidelines (supported by the RV industry) help ensure that the privilege of staying over one night is not abused. Repeated abuse of this etiquette can have negative effects on RVers. With an increase in parking prohibited locations (including rest areas), RVers need to remember that this privilege can be taken away as easily as erecting an OVERNIGHT PARKING PROHIBITED sign.

First of all, stop and ask if it is okay to overnight – esp. at retail businesses. Verify the parking policy with an employee (someone with authority) and ask them if there is a particular area designated for larger vehicles and RVs.

If you are in a business parking lot, make sure you are off to the side or the very back of the parking lot. Try not to take too many parking spaces. Parking spaces equal money to the business. Another reason to park away from the main flow of traffic… we once saw a newer Class A (with their slides out  ) have two shopping carts jammed under their slide. I won’t repeat the language coming out of the owner’s mouth as he was trying to get them out without causing more damage!

Overnight at Flying J

If you are at a truck stop, remember not to get in their way. Find a parking spot on the end or toward the back. If you see other RVers, try to park by them. It is very important that while at a truck stop (especially if you are parked with the semi trucks) that you stay within your lines. If you have trouble backing your rig or have trouble staying in your lines, find a pull-thru if you can. But if you find a truck stop with a double pull-thru, make sure you pull all the way forward so that someone can park behind you. And don’t be surprised if you find another RV behind you in the morning.

No matter where you overnight park, remember to be courteous and try to get in your spot as quickly as possible without holding up the traffic flow.

You should not put your slides out. If your RV layout blocks a closet or another area you need access to, make sure you re-locate those items to easy access areas prior to overnighting. Some people arrange their RV so that a slide may actually be over a concrete area with grass or mulch landscaping and not interfere with the parking lot.

Do not use your hydraulic jacks. And by no means should you put down your awning or set up camp (lawn chairs, rugs, BBQ grill, etc…) while overnight parking. You are not camping, you are parking.

While you are there, please patronize the business. Buy fuel or shop in their store. Grab a bite to eat from their restaurant. We have found some of the best pizzas around can be found at truck stops! You don’t have to spend a great deal, but if you aren’t at least buying fuel at a truck stop, buy something – bag of chips or some travel souvenirs – anything to show your gratitude. And even if you have your cupboards full, you should be able to find something at a business like Walmart – books, magazines or even travel maps.

There are some safety issues with overnighting. Turn on your door light and your scare lights. Make sure all you RV doors, outside compartments and tow vehicle doors are locked. Never, ever just open the door to someone who knocks on it! Open a window near the door and speak to them through the window until you know what is going on. If you are overnighting at a truck stop, do not go wandering around a night. If you must walk your pet, make sure to do it near your RV. Traffic never ceases at a truck stop or a busy store like Walmart. Tired drivers may not see you in the shadows.

Safe Travels!

- HS

NOTE: The Escapees club has parking etiquette cards and the Good Neighbor Policy letter which can be printed out for RVers to share. Visit their site at: http://www.escapees.com/Boondocking.asp

Imagine our surprise when we get on-the-road and had no hot water! The thermostat on the new Suburban water heater was faulty. We called the RV store where we purchased the new water heater and they told us that since it was brand-new they would contact Suburban on our behalf. Later they called us back and told us Suburban said we would have to contact them directly regarding replacement parts/costs. The RV store gave us the information and we called Suburban.

Not only did Suburban deny our new one was faulty, they even questioned whether we had a bought one! Our conversation with Suburban left us boiling – all over a $40 thermostat.

We tracked down a replacement thermostat on our own and thanks to Camping World (in Texas) we managed to repair the brand-new $600 faulty Suburban water heater we just bought! No thanks to Suburban.

So be aware if you have to replace or repair a Suburban water heater – you’re on your own because Suburban only knows how to give their customers the cold-shoulder.

Silly RVers! Always playing with their hot water heater!