If you know a little about the history of Texas, of course the Alamo can get to you. Like any "hopeless" last stand, the men who fought and died at the Alamo are inspiring. Being there can bring a lump to your throat. That said, I was disappointed how the city of San Antonio had encroached on and surrounded the site, very little of the original remains. The site is open and welcoming... but you can't take any pictures inside of any building or room, including the displays set up in the gift shop, an edifice recently constructed in the "style" of the original buildings.
The actual original building that does remain, a familiar shape, and the inside is crowded with tourists and schoolkids, so I don't know that you could take a worthwhile picture anyways. Not much is left of the plaster or the frescoes that adorned them, but you do get a feel for what it might have been like for the women and children huddling in one of the small side rooms.
The grounds are lush and manicured, and it reminds me more of a memorial than a museum.
The trip yesterday to San Antonio was long and fun and took about 3 hours, I drove the back roads. So I had no idea how close I really was to Fredricksburg until I returned by the Interstate. LOL, Less than an hour or so it seemed. Maybe some that was due to skipping all the rush traffic too.
Then back on the scenic back roads up to Llano. They really are quite nice... but only in comparison to the flat lands. Washington, Oregon, and even most of Northern California are equally nice on the Interstate, and anyone who wants to come out and drive up into the Sierras or Cascades, well, we can show you some even more scenic highways. That's not a knock, just an invitation to see for yourselves.
The place I was supposed to meet a friend south of Llano was closed, go figure, so we went on up to Llano and ate at Coopers, and that is no doubt a superior BBQ house. I'm told last weekend's motorcycle rally near there created tremendously long lines... and I can see why... em... tasted why.
I headed out, took some pictures of the unique to me wildflowers along the roadside, and went looking for a campsite.
That campsite was supposed to be Mother Neff State Park. Mr. Rand and Mr. McNally told me I could go there. It was quite a ways off my route, so of course when I arrived the first sign said "Day Use Only, No Camping". I must say... Rand and McNally continue to disappoint when it comes to mismarking state parks and campgrounds. Couldn't even find the park I was looking for yesterday, and no camping at the one I could find today. Reminds me of last year up in Wyoming. Do you detect a hint of sarcasm?
On to Waco and Mexia and not an RV park or commercial campground to be found along the entire US-84. It's a big state and it seems like every square inch is taken. LOL.
Total miles: 2653
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