Category Archives: History

Hico, Texas

There’s something about the small Texas towns, secluded out in the country. They are all a little different but all a little the same at the same time.

Hico is situated in the Hill Country of the Texas landscape. It’s exactly as it sounds and no, Texas is not 100% flat, at least not everywhere. The Hill Country has to be my favorite part of Texas so far. It’s gorgeous, relaxing and so comfortable.

I recently went to Hico for the Texas Steak Cookoff and I think I took as many pictures of the buildings in town as I did the cookoff. I felt that not sharing some of these shots with you would be a waste. The town is so beautiful. Small shops, paintings on the side of the buildings that were probably first put there 50+ years ago (I could be wrong). There is history and character in this little town that claims fame to Billy the Kid. It leaves a lot to the imagination.

Originally founded in 1883, mostly known for the cattle and cotton market.

Today, Hico is more known for ranching and tourism.

I love the bricks, the stars and those diamond windows.

A small shop in the center of town.

I love the paintings on the bricks throughout town. Vintage.

Look at that bench… It’s calling you to come sit down and just soak it all in!

I loved these buildings!

The front of the buildings remind me of the shots from those old videos, almost like the building is just being held up by a frame in the back, as if it’s not really there.

Although the town is beautiful, this Koffee Kup Kafe has been very controversial area in town. Allegedly once owned by a leader of the KKK. For that, I will just take people’s word that it’s delicious.

C.L. Lynch Hardware

If you love antiques, wood furniture, the knitty gritty, head on over to Hico. I’m sure you will find something you like in one of their shops.

I wish I could see what this town was like a hundred years ago.

Hico claims to be home to Billy the Kidd.

Come on back now ya’hear!

History, Good & Evil

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There have been a couple HUGE historical events in the past few days and I think it would be pretty ignorant not to touch upon them.

Prince William marries Catherine Middleton, April 29, 2011.

I grew up admiring the Royals, this probably stemmed from Princess Diana having the same name as I but Prince William was only a couple years older than myself and Prince Harry being exactly a month younger, I feel like I grew up with them. I remember going to the library checking out every book I could find on Princess Diana and I remember waking up on a Sunday morning to be told that she had passed away in a tragic accident. I remember when Prince William and Prince Harry went to school, joined the military, celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their mom’s passing.

On Friday, I (along with 2 billion other people all over the world) had the privilege of history being made right before my eyes. Two people so in love, so radiant – it gave the world a “feel good” moment. That the past few years have brought on a lot of, maybe not so good things but it made everyone realize the love, peace and simplicity in this world, even if you are a Royal.

The wedding provided hope that tradition and marriage can survive. Strengthens the monarchy and has brought optomism to people all over the world. It was remarkable and beautiful!

US Kills Osama Bin Laden, May 1, 2011.
Almost ten years ago on September 11, 2001, I’m sure we all remember where we were. I was sitting in my high school senior history class, sitting in the front row, middle of the classroom. My teacher walks in saying a plane just flew into one of the Twin Towers in NYC. I didn’t believe him, I mean it just sounded so absurd. He turned on the TV and we were just in awe (and probably shock). We saw the second plane fly into the building and the rest of the attacks go on right before our eyes. In all honesty, I don’t think it really hit me that there were people inside those buildings until I saw some of them start to jump out. Later that day were were sitting in another classroom, one entire wall being windows (at this point they had made us turn the TV’s off, but we continued to discuss what was occurring 8 hours away) and on this clear, sunny day a dark cloud happened to move by our building. Not necessarily from the attack but it was just so surreal.

Almost ten years later, almost ten years of war, we have all personally been touched by what happened on that day back in 2001. Maybe we knew someone who had been in one of the attacks, maybe we know someone who has fought in the war on terrorism. That fateful day had changed our lives forever.

Now there will be another day that we will always remember, May 1, 2011. I was watching the movie 8 Seconds on CMT. We got a text message that said “RIP Osama”. I really thought it said “RIP Obama” and was like what is going on?! We turned on one of the main networks, “Osama bin Laden has been killed”. It’s truly one of those moments that you always thought it would happen but you just didn’t know when. It certainly felt surreal. I’m not condoning killing someone for killing others but I do draw a line when there is such evil in the world that evil should be destroyed. It makes you proud of being an American, being part of a world that fights for justice and making the world a better place. It’s stunning. Crowds all over the country gathered at the White House, NYC, the White House, chanting our National Anthem.

At the end of the day the credit needs to go to the troops. Not just the US troops but the troops from all over the world who have helped with this battle on terrorism. Is this the end of the war, probably not but to know that the world has been rid of a few more evil men, that is uplifting. Today, it almost feels that a weight has been lifted off everyone’s shoulders. Remarkable.

We can never predict what is going to happen in the future but with the events of the past weekend, I think that most will agree that it has provided everyone with an optomistic boost in morale! The US has shown that where there’s a will, there’s a way! Thank you troops for sacrificing your lives for the life not just your country, but the world!

George H.W. Bush Presidential Library

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President George H.W. Bush (or Daddy Bush) was President of the United States from 1989 to 1993. It seems that some of the more recent President’s have established Presidential Libraries throughout the US. The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library was established in 1997.

Come to find out the “Library” is more of a museum than a library (who would’ve thought). As you walk through the museum we follow President Bush’s life, we get to know his family and learn where he found his values and what his parents were like, his childhood, his military career, how he met his wife, his family, and his career in politics. He now lives in Kennebunkport, Maine with his wife Barbara. (As a child, we vacationed in Maine yearly and I remember one year driving by his home and having the secret service tell us to turn around, kind of cool.)

The main purpose of our trip to College Station, Texas was to see the President Bush Presidential Library. Here are some highlights of our trip.

Upon arriving at the Library you will see how beautiful the building is itself…

“The Beast” may be the most classified car you may ever see…

… equipped with bullet proof windows (as thick as telephone books) and bullet proof tires where if they are shot the car can keep traveling. It also comes with a remote car starter with a bomb detector (I have one of these on my car too), self healing fuel tank, extra oxygen, and layered with kevlar throughout.

(Coming to a dealership near you in 2025).

A huge baseball lover, President Bush played baseball at Yale and even kept a glove in the top drawer of his desk while in office.

In 1947, the Bush’s bought this car for just under $1,700.00 and moved their family from Connecticut to Texas.

I made it just in time, the White House was expecting me. Little did I know I had a full day ahead…

A speech had to be made…(I think my point came across)…

… followed by a very important black tie dinner (my dress was cut out of the picture at the right)…

…unfortunately my dinner was cut short due to a very urgent top secret meeting I had to attend…

Back to the “library”, we were able to see President Bush’s office…

and reflect on his achievements…

This is part of the Berlin Wall which came down in 1989. This was remarkable to see.

We then found the library…children’s books.

You will also be able to see momentous from his year in the military, letters he sent home after his plane was shot down, family memories, the Gulf War, life in the White House and post White House. We even got to sit in a replica of his desk in the Oval Office and experience his love for sky diving. There is so much information, it is truly remarkable.

Finally, here is my favorite picture from the museum…

I think this was the highlight of his career!

Check it out – it is part of your history.

For More Info: http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/
To see if a Presidential Library is near you: http://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/visit/