Well, it has been 30 years since I lived in Dallas, and already I realize how much I really miss it! The people are so friendly! It is so big! Downtown! There is so much to see, and there is so much going on all the time! The roads are amazing! And there is always new construction going on everywhere!
The Lone Star State
You know you are in Texas when you see…
Catfish King in TylerFried Catfish, just like Mary Jean remembered!Awesome Whataburger!Classic Grandy’s!Grandy’s Chicken DinnerGrandy’s Fried Chicken
First stop: Tyler, Texas
So 31+ years ago at this venue……Here Comes the Bride!At our wedding there was a water fountain where this brick wall is now.Tyler Rose GardenTyler Rose GardenMonument to Tyler native Earl Campbell, who played high school football in Tyler, college football at the University of Texas, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1977, then a hall of fame career in the NFL for the Houston Oilers. I met him at a club in Houston in 1984, and saw him play near the end of his career, for the New Orleans Saints vs. the Cowboys.
Downtown Dallas
Dallas skyline from the southeast.Dallas skyline from the west.
Globe Life Park at Arlington, Home of the Texas Rangers
AT&T Stadium, Home of the Dallas Cowboys
Texas favorites at Campfire Grill Texas Country Kitchen
I have a milestone birthday, so I thought it would be cool to take a road trip to Charlottesville, and review a little history and have some fun. So the plan was to take a tour of Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello, eat lunch at Michie Tavern, then take a tour of James Monroe’s Highland, then finish the day with a wine tasting and birthday cake at nearby Trump Winery.
Here we go…
Monticello
Monticello was the home of Thomas Jefferson, author of The Declaration of Independence, and the third President of the United States. We had a guided tour of the house, and we were able to walk the grounds to see the outbuildings and take in some beautiful views.
Monticello Monticello Monticello Monticello Monticello Monticello The gardenThe view from MonticelloThe view from Monticello Jefferson’s PhaetonKitchenSmokehouseSpinning room.Slave quartersGrave of Thomas Jefferson
Here was buried Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of American Independence of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia
Jefferson wrote the text for his monument. Interesting that he chose to not mention that he was the third president of the United States!
Lunch at Michie Tavern
Michie Tavern dates back to 1784, and they have a colonial/country style lunch buffet. So we feasted on fried chicken, baked chicken, pork barbecue, mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, beets, blackeyed peas, cornbread and biscuits.
LunchAt Michie TavernMichie Tavern Room in Michie Tavern museumRoom in Michie Tavern museum Revolutionary War era flintlock musket on display
James Monroe’s Highland
James Monroe, our fifth president, lived here, near his good friend Thomas Jefferson. The house Monroe lived in no longer stands, but there is an outline of the foundation of that house. Monroe practiced law in Fredericksburg, and I have toured his Law Office and Museum many times over the years.
Outline of the house Monroe lived in.This house was built in the 19th century, partially on top of the location of Monroe’s house.We had a guided tour of the guest house, which contains many items owned by the Monroes. Photography was not allowed in the house.300-year=old tree in the front yard.Bust of James Monroe. There is also a bust of Monroe in the garden to the rear of the James Monroe Law Office and Museum in Fredericksburg.James Monroe Statue
Tasting at Trump Winery
To close out our day, we went to the Trump Winery for a private wine tasting. And to celebrate the day with some Wesley-made birthday cake.
Thanks to Wesley for the cake, and thanks to all my family who came to make this is special day for me!
MAGA + Trump Winery The countryside is spectacular.View from the wineryView from the winery Vineyard themed cakeThe Cru is the only wine I liked.Goodbye, 50s!A topical gift!Waiting for our tasting room.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, a fifth cousin of President Theodore Roosevelt, was our 32nd president. He was the only president to serve more than two terms. He was elected four times, but he died early in the first year of his fourth term, April 12, 1945. He served from 1933-1945.FDR’s Hyde Park homeFront viewThe view from his front yard.FDR Presidential Library and Museum.FDR’s Oval Office desk.The Bible FDR used all four times he took the presidential oath of office. Freedom sculpture on the grounds. At the base, the freedoms named are Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Want, Freedom of Worship, and Freedom from Fear.Displays in the FDR MuseumTypical 1930s kitchen where families listened to the radio, which FDR used skillfully with his “Fireside Chats”.FDR’s private studyThe memorandum President Roosevelt received on December 7, 1941, informing him of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.Fragment from the USS Arizona which was sunk in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.Fala, FDR’s dogFDR’s deathFDR’s funeralFDR’s 1936 Ford Phaeton.One of the many model ships and boats from FDR’s collection.Bust of FDR outside of the Library and Museum.Posing with President Franklin and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.The graves of President Franklin and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Zoom in to see the etching.The museum had a special exhibit, The Art of War. This exhibit contains many posters that were used during World War II.This is the iconic Uncle Sam “I Want You” poster.Recruiting for nurses. (Another one for you, Kayla.)We could also identify our other primary enemy in World War II.We used to be able to identify our enemy clearly.
This is the site where Martin Van Buren, our 8th president, was born in 1782. This is located in Kinderhook, New York. President Martin Van Buren’s home, Lindenwald in Kinderhook. He was our 8th president, who was President Andrew Jackson’s hand-picked successor in 1837. He presided over the financial Panic of 1837 which was devastating to the economy. He was a failed president, and served only one term, 1837-1841, very similar to George H. W. Bush. Both presidents succeeded wildly popular presidents (Jackson, Reagan), then failed to win re-election after their first term. President Bush retired to private life. President Van Buren continued to run for president in several other election cycles, losing every time.Lindenwald, home of President Martin Van Buren. The architectural style is a combination of Georgian, Victorian and Italianate.LindenwaldRear of LindenwaldGrave of President Martin Van Buren, Kinderhook, New York
Quite a building! It was Sunday, so we could not go in, but the outside looks like a castle! This is the front, which faces the street.This is the rear.Corner view.Statue of George Washington on the grounds of the New York state capitol.
