Johnson Settlement-January 27, 2014

With an ice storm approaching we are trying to see as much as we can because we know we will not go anywhere with ice on the roads. From our stop here last year you know that this city was started by ancestors of Lyndon B. Johnson. I have said before that neither of us were ever fans of his but I will be the first to admit that both he and his grandparents had vision. The Johnson Settlement is in the middle of town. It was as interesting as the visit to LBJ Ranch.

This gigantic windmill still turns but I am certain it does not pump water.

It is definitely well kept. This sits next to the storage building where perishable foods were stored.

 

There was a sign warning this Longhorn could be mean, but he certainly looked docile to us.

Still I showed him respect and left him alone to enjoy his dinner.  

 

A good looking old barn that belonged to LBJ's grand parents.

 

An old buckboard belonging to the Johnson's. There was an old Conestoga wagon, too, but

it was in such a dark area I could not get a picture of it.

 

I don't recall what this building is called. It certainly wasn't the servant's quarters.

The Johnsons were dirt poor, then got rich in cattle and then lost every penny in cattle.

Ultimately what they built has survived and is well maintained.

 

This is the homestead. Right hand side is the living section which was barely more than a tiny bedroom. The left side was the kitchen. The "dog trot" in the middle was to allow for a breeze, to allow for dogs to trot through and to provide a cover from the intense summer heat here.

 

I love these grand old oak trees. It reminds me of my motto,

"Remember the mighty oak was once a little nut that held its ground".

 

This was extremely interesting. It also served to make us grateful for what an easy life we have and to increase our respect for the people who helped form this country.

 

On a different note, we had three thuds on the side of the coach this morning. Three of those cute little birds bashed their little bodies into our house. Two of them flew away. One landed beak down, tail up in the rocks by our front wheel. He stayed that way for at least 15 minutes. I thought it was lights out for him. Then he sat up and stayed like that for another 10 or 15 minutes before he had the strength to fly away. Bless his little heart. I was about to cry for him. At the same time he will probably do the same thing tomorrow. I don't know why these little things can't see us.