As mentioned in my previous post, our friends Lynne and Jerry Goebeler are currently volunteering at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site. It’s located about 17 miles east of downtown Fredericksburg, Texas. (Lyndon B. Johnson [LBJ], our 36th president, was born and raised in the Texas Hill Country.) LBJ’s ranch is across the Pedernales River from the state park and is part of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park.
Lynne and Jerry were both working on Thursday, so we decided to meet up with them toward the ends of their shifts. Lynne volunteers in the visitor center. Jerry volunteers at the Sauer-Beckmann Farm, the park’s living history farm.
I went in to see Lynne first as that’s where you go to get the permit necessary to tour the LBJ Ranch as well as the state park and historic site. It was so cool seeing Lynne at work. She did a great job delivering the tour directions and site overview to me, too. From there we made a brief visit to the LBJ Ranch and then met both Jerry and Lynne at the farm.
Entrance Sign
One of the many Hereford cattle that live on the ranch.
Check out the long, white eyelashes on those cattle. (Click on image to view a larger version of the photo.)
We even saw a live armadillo!
There’s an airstrip on the ranch, but it wasn’t big enough for a full-size version of Air Force One.
The ranch house, as seen from the side in this image, was referred to as the Texas White House.
The Texas White House
The front of the ranch house aka Texas White House.
Live Oak trees line the front lawn between the house and the Pedernales River.
It would be a fabulous place for a barbecue party.
While Mike went into the visitor center and looked at LBJ’s collection of antique cars, I took Belle for a stroll around the property. On the opposite side of the ranch house, I was tickled to see some more Hereford cattle. The cattle were tickled to see Belle.
The cattle were intrigued by Belle.
Belle was a big hit with the cattle.
Mike says cattle like Belle because her coloring makes her look like a small cow and the others are probably wondering why she’s so little AND being led around on a rope.
Blue church between the ranch and the state park (I am not sure if it’s affiliated).
After we toured the ranch, we stopped briefly at the visitor center so Mike could also see Lynne in her element. Then we went to the farm. Because it’s a living history farm, the volunteers and rangers all wear period-specific clothing.
Jerry came out to greet us when we reached the Sauer-Beckmann Farm.
This is a close-up version of the previous image so you can get a better look at Jerry’s uniform.
The original stone farm buildings date back to the 1860s.
The nicer farmhouse was added in the early 1900s. Notice the stamped-tin on the building facade.
I believe the barn dates back to the late-1800s, too. Jerry did a great job sharing the details, but I didn’t do a good job remembering it all.
An old wagon and one of the farm’s turkeys.
One of the farm’s sheep.
Mama sheep with her new lamb.
One of the farm’s beautiful Jersey milk cows.
Another of the farm’s beautiful Jersey milk cows.
Jerry and Mike talking about the cows.
Sheep
The farm’s female pig who weighs around 500 pounds (about 227 kg).
She’s a big girl.
I love the rusty metal roof on the barn.
A young calf (about 2.5 months old).
The animals at this farm were also intrigued by Belle.
Sheep
It was super-cool having Jerry as our own personal tour guide.
Mike and Jerry looking in the smokehouse.
He shared all kinds of information with us about the buildings and their contents.
Inside the “new” house.
Example toys from the period.
The parlor inside the “new” house.
The kitchen inside the “new” house.
The kitchen is a working kitchen. The rangers prepare lunch in that kitchen on a daily basis to feed the staff.
Tank Building
Another look at the tank building.
Group photo in front of the tank building.
Lynne said that volunteers are all photographed through the door and window of the tank building as mementos of people who have volunteered at the site through the years. Mike and I both agreed that would be a cool shot, so Mike took Belle around for a photo op.
Belle and Mike as seen through the tank building.
Lynne enjoys her gig at the visitor center, but she and I both agree that Jerry has the cooler assignment. How cool would it be to work at a living history farm? Very cool if you ask me.
In my next post I’ll share pics from the Albert Ice House, which is where we went after we finished touring the farm.
2 Replies to “Fredericksburg with Friends Part 2”
Another awesome post, and you remember a lot! Looking forward to your take on Albert 😉
Another awesome post, and you remember a lot! Looking forward to your take on Albert 😉
So cool!