Today's adventures - still Day 929 (Year 3, Day 196)

Bastrop, TX

I should mention that while we had temps in the 70s and 80s in Houston last week, it got down to 23 on Friday night and 25 last night.  On Saturday, the water in our hose froze, despite leaving the water in the sink trickling.  Fortunately, we had a mostly full fresh water tank, so we just turned on the pump until it all melted.  The high was 41*.  Today was a bit warmer, at 51, and it will be about 80* by Wednesday.  Gotta love the Texas weather which can't make up its mind whether to be hot or cold!  Either way, very grateful we're not in the snow belt.  I know our friends and family in NY and NJ are getting hit pretty badly.  Even Raleigh got it's share of some snow and ice.

Also, this was an amusing water tower we passed on the way into Bastrop on Thursday:



The day started out with Mitch going outside (in 25* temps) to try to fill the flat tire.  He was unsuccessful because he thinks it's a bad seal, so we had to call roadside assistance to put the spare on.  Tomorrow he will go to a tire store to see if they can fix it.  This was all finished by 1:30.  He took a nap until 2 and then we decided to visit Historical downtown Bastrop; a place where I was really delighted to go!  I confirmed once again (first time was in Arcadia, FL, then Gatlinburg, TN and then Faith, SD) that my favorite places to spend time in are quaint, old-time small towns that really haven't changed much through the years (where you can find photos taken in the late 1800s to early 1900s and although you might see stagecoaches or trolleys in the photos, and the roads may be paved rather than dirt or cobblestone, the buildings are the same as the ones you're standing in front of.  I love to imagine myself back in time, standing in the same place as those who went before me (of course, I also love the beauty of nature - especially waterfalls, but I am unable to take long hikes in such places).

I didn't realize just how rich in history Bastrop is, especially since I never heard of it before.  They really don't teach much US history in school.  In fact, it is really where Texas started, with Baron de Bastrop working with Moses Austin, and then his son Steven to negotiate a deal with Mexico to form a US colony.  If not for Bastrop, Texas would still be part of Mexico!

Here are a few photos of the town:

      

We started out at the Visitor Center / Museum, which was really quite magnificent, with a lot of authentic antiques from collections in the area.  Each area of interest was put into a separate room, complete with artifacts, murals with explanations and history, and videos.

A sculpture and cute bench in front of the Visitor Center:

  



The very first motorized fire truck used in Bastrop:

  

Some of the other rooms in the museum:

          

Our next stop was the Colorado Winery (named for the Colorado River which runs outside).  It's a very small operation; in fact, they only sell their wine in their own store.  For $7, we got to sample about 8 different wines, and purchased 2 bottles.  Yes, a splurge at $20/bottle, but well worth it, especially for a special occasion.



On the way back to the truck, we passed this company.  Sorry it's blurry - it says "Honest Lawyers!"