Farmers Branch Historical Park

Farmers Branch Historical Park would have been better if I had called ahead to arrange a tour, but there was plenty to see, even so.  Even without a tour guide, the site has plaques everywhere to explain what you see.

So if you can, definitely call ahead to arrange a tour, but even if you haven't, it's still worth stopping.  A very nice park with lots of room and plenty to see.

Bishop Arts District

I had heard about the Bishop Arts District as a cool place to visit in Dallas.  And it did have some things that I enjoyed.

Every city needs a store devoted to hard-to-find sodas, but alas, there is only this one.  I had an excellent cream soda out of a real glass bottle, not plastic.

Then I went to the Chocolate Store.  It was so good that I forgot to take a picture.  Every city also needs a store that makes artisanal chocolate and homemade marshmallows.

Other than that, it was mostly vintage shops and art galleries.  I saw some weird things done with Legos.  But as cool as it is, it's only really about one block and its surrounding streets.  I was kinda sad that it's such a small area, because really, ALL of Austin is like this.

Trains!

While I was in Plano, I also went to the Interurban Railway Museum.  It is right next to a DART station and set in a lovely park on 15th street.

The museum has a train car right out front and tours through it and the museum.

It has a very interesting history and there is a lot to see for such a small museum.  The tour guides were very knowledgeable and friendly.  An excellent place to visit to see the history of Plano, even including some of the things we wish never happened.

Historical Plano

Last weekend I was in Plano, seeing some of the historical sites there.  I could be wrong, but I don't think these places are very well known.  I found out about them on the Internet, though.  There's always lots to see in any city of a reasonable size.

The first place I went to was the Heritage Farmstead Museum.  I was not allowed to take any pictures, so I can't post any.  I really enjoyed seeing the site.  Things were a little disorganized, and the regular tour guide wasn't there that day, but a volunteer showed me and another couple around and told us what he knew.

The house was built in 1891 by Hunter Farrell.  It has been restored and several period items donated to make up the exhibits.  There is also another house which was moved from its original location to be preserved on site, as well as several original outbuildings.  It is a working farm with chickens, sheep, and mules.  There are many opportunities for volunteers and partner memberships.

This museum offers an excellent opportunity to look through a window of time to see a snapshot of the turn of the century and how people lived.  If you are in Plano near 15th street, go see it!

Beautiful Wedding

I'm running late on posting things, but I'll get caught up soon.  A few weeks ago I attended a wedding of two dear friends at Villa Antonia.  It was a far drive up north for me to get to the other side of the lake, but the site was beautiful and worth it!

Lovely views, gorgeous grounds, excellent in every way.

I would highly recommend this site to anyone planning a fairytale wedding.

long weekend

Partly happy, partly sad.  I went to The Woodlands north of Houston to see a friend I haven't seen in years and meet her lovely family.  We went to Chili's and had lunch, complete with an incredible dessert I can't remember the name of.  But it had chocolate, walnuts, caramel, and ice cream.  So good I couldn't finish it!  Wonderful to see my friend again, but I had to stay in a hotel down south unless I wanted to fight rush hour traffic on Monday morning, which I didn't. 

So down south I go to Seabrook for a memorial service for a 4-year-old boy, the son of a girl I've known since I was 12.  A very beautiful service, very touching.  I could turn this into a commercial for the genetic condition he was born with, but I'd rather not.  I will say that he had COFSS (Cerebral Ocular Facial Skeletal Syndrome).  Beyond that, it's my friend's story to tell, not mine.

I did manage to do some geocaching in both places, and took some pictures near NASA.

I'm still playing with my camera to learn better how to use it.  It was darker than it looks in these pictures.

The light was better the next day.

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

Yesterday I went to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center here in Austin.

I have been meaning to investigate since I moved here.  It probably would have been even better if I had gone earlier in the spring, before it started getting hot.  We've had a proliferation of bluebonnets this year.  But even this late in the season, it was a really nice visit. 

I learned the name of several flowers that I've always seen and never knew what they were called. 

There is plenty of cool and interesting art work all over the grounds.

The trails are nicely kept and a good walk.

I really liked the tower.

Plenty of pretty things to see.

They also have the Wildflower Cafe, which was nice, but I thought overpriced.  They rent the facilities for special events--I think it would be a lovely place for a wedding.

Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday 9am-530pm

Sunday Noon to 530pm

Open daily March 15 to May 31 for Wildflower Days 2010

Center closed on Mondays before March 15 and after May 31

Surfside Beach

Last weekend I went to my hometown of Lake Jackson.  I saw the production of Hansel and Gretel at the outdoor college theatre--fantastic show!  That evening I went to the Intermediate School production of Bye Bye Birdie--also fantastic!  I have friends whose kids were in each show, so it was a lot of fun to watch.  Great job, everybody!

But this post is about Surfside Beach.  I grew up going to Surfside, but it has changed a LOT since then.  I really like that there are bridges to walk over to the beach now.  But the oil spill in the Gulf is a major concern.

It's not the cleanest beach in the world, but I miss it every day that I'm away from it.  I lived with friends in a beach house one summer; there's nothing better than waking up to a sunrise on the beach.  I will ALWAYS sleep better to beach sounds than any other sound in the world.  I am sad that The Lookout is no longer there--great BYOB beachclub where I saw some of my favorite performers.