Winter Getaway-- WACO, TX / TEXAS RANGERS

We left our lovely AirBnb after wishing our hosts all the best in their continuing endeavors at the Waco Birthing Center, located on the main floor of their home. So interesting to hear the stories of God's people as we travel.  We made our final stop at the Texas Rangers museum. I think I can now explain a little of the history of Texas and why these rangers were necessary.  What I didn't remember was that the Lone Ranger was actually (loosely) based on the Texas Rangers story!

We were happy to be on our way again, heading to the Fort Worth-Dallas area. I located this cute sign in the Spice Village area of downtown Waco.  It certainly expresses our traveling life!

Winter Getaway - WACO, TX / THE MAGNOLIA SILOS

We chose an Airbnb that looked close to downtown so we could eliminate trying to park our RV van.  Bill wished it were a bit closer - it was about a 1.5 mile walk to the Silos, but we made it through the construction and the very uneven sidewalks.  We stopped at the Bakery for a cinnamon bun and an oatmeal creme "pie" (vanilla creme filling between 2 oatmeal cookies).  Delish.  I, of course, wandered a bit longer in the Magnolia store while he checked out the condition of the rustic silos, the proposed plans for future additions, the garden shop and the food truck vendors who parked around the perimeter of the current property.  Overall it was fun to be in this unique place because we had been fans so long, but we are not shoppers...unless there is a bargain.  No bargains at the Silos!  I searched high and low for something small with their logo, and finally settled on a journal with "Magnolia" written across the bottom. 

This couple was propelled into stardom so quickly that I am sure they didn't comprehend all that would happen. What started as a dream to improve their community has turned into an empire.  I feel sorry that they cannot come and go easily into their own established businesses.  I questioned one server at the Magnolia Press Coffee House about how all of the details and decor remain consistent with Jo's original intent if she doesn't stop by.  He said they have a Vision Team that checks each location to make sure the quality is maintained.  Our Airbnb host told us that the Gaines family belong to their church, but are not able to attend anymore because of security issues.  The price of being a celebrity is high....my prayer for this couple is that God would keep their family intact and healthy.

 



In our Waco side trips we also found the largest selection of the Watt Ware that I collect in the antique store that Jo frequents. I was compelled to buy one small bowl to add to my collection, as it added an additional state to the many that I have gathered from (MI, IN, PA, CO, TX).  In this spot, the lovely lady who rang me up explained that they haven't seen the Gaines in a while because they have to close the store while she is here, somewhat for the noise level if taping is being done, but also because of the crowds who want photo shoots with them.

We again listened to the locals and had a bowl of homemade soup at Fox's, a well kept secret near the Antique store; as well as visiting George's, a Waco fixture near the Baylor campus.

 

My first chicken fried steak.

Winter Getaway - WACO, TX / MAGNOLIA TABLE

After an overnight cheap stay at the local Flying J truckstop, we were up and on our way to Magnolia Table at 7:00 am!  The sun was just coming up, and we found to our delight that the MANY internet warnings about long waits, are not true in late February.  We were warmly greeted twice and appeared to be about the fifth guests in the very expansive restaurant. Everything was immaculate, meticulously decorated, a bit pricey- but very delicious. Our very chatty server was a single mom who had worked at Magnolia Table since its inception.  She loves her job and her managers. Jo and Chip slip in occasionally without the knowledge of many of the staff.  In her two years of employment, she remembers just once that Chip arrived during her shift  and visited with the many patrons gathered that day.  Yes, there are leather pouches on the wall to drop the cellphones in and leather cases that enclose the patron's bill.  Impressive.  From what we understand, the locals do not frequent this restaurant due to the crowds, but the Gaines are being inventive about getting the community in... if they sign up, they will be texted when there is no wait.

 

 

 

Pretty amazing bathroom!

 

Their faith in Jesus shows up in the way they renovate with excellence, the way they treat their guests, and in the values that they espouse just as this sign depicts. 

Winter Getaway - WACO, TX TOUR

I'm sure that ten years ago, most Americans might have immediately thought of the Baylor Bears when the name WACO was mentioned...but nowadays it is all about MAGNOLIA.  Bill and I prepped up for this town- we both read the Gaines' book, Magnolia Story, but mostly we watched EVERY episode (sometimes several times) of their HGTV hit, Fixer Upper.  You must understand that Chip and Jo are household names in our home!!  The book was readable and seemed authentic, quite truly a "rags to riches story" with lots of hard work and faith involved.

So, rather than waste any more time in College Station, we kind of hightailed it to Waco on a sunny Monday, just to get a headstart!
The original Magnolia store that Jo opened before their success, had been sold some years back, but then re-purchased by the Gaines so is now used to sell the most recent seasonal stock at 50-75% off.  So glad we started here- I found a $5 Christmas ornament and a $9 Magnolia wreath vine. Unfortunately, we somehow locked the keys in the van in that parking lot...but, no worries, that small detail did not de-rail our fun!






We next headed to Harp Design and the home that Chip & Jo renovated for Clint's family.  Because of the tourists, the Harps eventually turned this home into a rental for the very tourists that kind of drove them away!!  Below are some of the other spots that we drove past: the recently purchased Cotton Land castle, not yet renovated; Hillcrest Estate, now an Airbnb named Magnolia Stay; the McGregor Airbnb, Magnolia Bed & Breakfast, which included a refurbished ranch for the caretakers shown on an early season episode.  Apparently the caretakers did not have enough to keep them busy so the B & B is on its own... except for the gardeners and housekeepers who keep it in tip top shape!! It was so charming.  Adding to its charm is the fact that Jo's mom prayer-walks the property several times a week (that fact was shared by the local antiques dealer!)



 

Our final "find" was to drive past what we thought was the Gaines home as shown on the show...but later found out that they now live at a different farm/home (which appears to be a pretty well kept secret from the tourists).  The original no longer had the "Magnolia" over the entrance to the driveway, but did have security cameras and was well fenced.

 

Winter Getaway --- A PEEK AT OUR PAST PRESIDENTS

As we zipped west out of San Antonio, I busily looked for a state park in the Johnson City area, so we could get up early for the LBJ Ranch (another highly recommended spot!).  We found a lovely campground in Blanco, the cleanest state park bathrooms EVER!!  And several other "finds" along the way!!

 

We found this delightful donut shop...it happened to be the 2 year anniversary of Mom's death, so I ordered a chocolate covered long john, which was her favorite. The young gal asked what type of filling and she "custom made" my order by adding the white creme ...the best EVER because she added so much creme that it felt like it weighed 3 pounds...Whipped creme and frosting make every dessert better!!!!!!!

 

The LBJ ranch was a great look into a president that I had considered a bit blustery and harsh.  The Vietnam War exacted a toll on him, and the many other programs that he worked on became secondary in the minds of most Americans.  As with most presidents, his re-charging came from the time spent at this Texas White House (HOME) in the Hill Country of Texas.  He conducted cabinet meetings here, and added an airstrip....because he needed to be on THIS LAND in order to ponder, rest and make difficult decisions.  I knew his huge contribution was initiating and signing the Civil Rights bill into law, but what I didn't realize was he also passed the Clean Air Act, Headstart, Indian Vocational training, Medicare & Medicaid and many others.  He cared deeply about education reform, perhaps due to his schoolteacher mother's great influence on him.

 




 


 This is still a working ranch, with Hereford cattle throughout the 1500 acres.  This steer is a descendant of LBJ's original herd!! The Johnsons donated the ranch to the National Park Service in 1968, several years before he died.  Because Lady Bird was fully involved in the preservation and beautification of America's National Parks, it seemed a fitting tribute from them to the country they loved.

I mostly loved seeing a different side-- a personal side to this crusty ole Texan and his soft-spoken, but strong, wife.









We then charged on to College Station, with a brief Sunday off at a not-so-great private park.  College Station, the home of Texas A & M, houses the GEORGE H. W. BUSH presidential library.
Again, what a well-kept and impressive look at this gentle man and his feisty wife!  Although their party loyalties were different, the Johnsons and Bushes had a lot in common:  loving America, loving Texas, working extremely hard, giving back to their communities, down to earth.

Throughout the library, I was struck with the many profound quotes by both George and Barbara.  He was known for his many letters to his wife, his kids and his grandkids...but she also loved to write.  My strongest take-aways from this excursion:  their 72 year love story, their affirmation of one another, their ability to laugh at themselves and at the weaknesses so often pointed out in the media (there is a comical video clip of conversations with Dana Carvey and others with George explaining why his characterization of him isn't correct), the many charities that Barbara worked on behind the scenes.  I was struck by the vast differences in almost every way when compared to the current occupants in the White House.  This was a great tour.

 

 

 

This quote so struck me, kindness and gentleness is also much needed in our world today.