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Well, it turns out there's not much to see or do in Killeen if you are not there for something connected with Ft. Hood. It is reportedly the largest Army base in the country right now and Sam's brother Tom served in the Army 1st Cavalry Division and was dispatched to VietNam.
Lampasas, on the other hand, has quite a bit to offer. Well before the first white settlers came in the American Indian populations found their way here because of the natural springs. Clearly it was good hunting ground as is evidenced by the large number of deer who boldly enter backyards to eat your flowers and other plants. Folks who want to protect their plants have very high chain fences. The city was founded as Burleson in 1850, the name changed to Lampasas Springs, and later just Lampasas. However, their Independence Day celebration centers around festival called Spring Ho since it is believed early travelers looking for the springs would shout "Spring Ho" on first site. Still, there is a pageant and I do not think I would want to be named The Spring Ho Queen.
We spent some time in the 62 degree Hancock Spring pool, walked the Sulphur Spring path several times, dined on German, Cajun, Italian cuisines, along with good ole Texas Bar-B-Que. There's an 18-hole municipal golf course, but it's just too damned hot to play.
Since we are about 45-60 minutes from Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, which has become very expensive, many of the residents ready to retire to new careers are coming this way and being welcomed. There are 3 wineries close by, 2 run by brothers as retirement careers. There are a lot of murals around the city too. Apparently some very talented artists in the area. Enough babbling, let's get to the photos.
Headed home today after worshipping with the methodists.
Well, it turns out there's not much to see or do in Killeen if you are not there for something connected with Ft. Hood. It is reportedly the largest Army base in the country right now and Sam's brother Tom served in the Army 1st Cavalry Division and was dispatched to VietNam.
Lampasas, on the other hand, has quite a bit to offer. Well before the first white settlers came in the American Indian populations found their way here because of the natural springs. Clearly it was good hunting ground as is evidenced by the large number of deer who boldly enter backyards to eat your flowers and other plants. Folks who want to protect their plants have very high chain fences. The city was founded as Burleson in 1850, the name changed to Lampasas Springs, and later just Lampasas. However, their Independence Day celebration centers around festival called Spring Ho since it is believed early travelers looking for the springs would shout "Spring Ho" on first site. Still, there is a pageant and I do not think I would want to be named The Spring Ho Queen.
We spent some time in the 62 degree Hancock Spring pool, walked the Sulphur Spring path several times, dined on German, Cajun, Italian cuisines, along with good ole Texas Bar-B-Que. There's an 18-hole municipal golf course, but it's just too damned hot to play.
Since we are about 45-60 minutes from Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, which has become very expensive, many of the residents ready to retire to new careers are coming this way and being welcomed. There are 3 wineries close by, 2 run by brothers as retirement careers. There are a lot of murals around the city too. Apparently some very talented artists in the area. Enough babbling, let's get to the photos.
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| When you cut a road out of a hill it takes creative engineering to make sure it doesn't slide back into the passage. |
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| Pit stop in the little town of Kempner |
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| Lunch at My Girls, owned by Todd who also owns a local farmer's market. |
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| The restored 1880 courthouse is 1 of the 3 oldest in the state. |
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| One of several vaults in the courthouse |
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| 3rd floor of courthouse has a mini-museum and you can see clock tower mechanism at work. |
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| The flood of 1957 was even worse than the one of 1936. |
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| It wouldn't be Texas if there wasn't a famous feud. |
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| And the ubiquitous gunfight. |
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| Selling wine, books by Texas A&M press, olive oil, and chocolate truffles. |
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| A little perspective on that 1957 flood. |
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| Most recently completed mural |
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| Lampasas folks like their kinetic scupltures. |
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| Campbell Park is a sculpture garden. |
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| The folks paint everything pretty. |
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| The deer makes themselves at home everywhere. |
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| Natural Spring fed pool The water flows through it and the cost to enter is very reasonable. Just like our public pool growing up once an hour all children must get out of the water and the adults have 10 minutes while those kids rest and get their body temps back up. |
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| 18-hole municipal course with a hell of a water hazard. |
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| Lots of very old trees here. I can't resist hugging a big tree and wishing it could tell tales of the years gone by. |
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| Hostess House was being rented for a wedding reception on Saturday. |
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| That's my tough man in the giant rusty spur. |
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| We must eat bar-b-que in every town we visit. |
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| In case you forgot we are in Texas. |
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| The little bar-b-que holds their business cards inside. |
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