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Top Attractions in Austin, Texas for Your Next Trip

April 20, 2026 by msminnie72, posted in Austin, Texas

Have you ever heard the saying, “Everything is bigger in Texas?” Well, after visiting this vibrant city, I think that saying might be true!

Today we’re exploring a place known for its incredible live music, booming technology scene, outdoor adventures, and relaxed, welcoming culture — Austin, Texas. Located about 80 miles north of San Antonio, Austin is a city that perfectly blends history, creativity, and modern innovation.

Austin is named after Stephen F. Austin, often called the “Father of Texas.” In the 1820s, he led American settlers to colonize the region when Texas was still part of Mexico, helping shape the future of the state. His legacy lives on today through both the city and University of Texas at Austin, which proudly carry his name.

From rich history to live music on every corner, Austin truly captures the spirit of Texas in a big way.

Road sign welcoming travelers to Texas, featuring the Texas flag, with a highway and empty landscape in the background.

Have you heard of Buc-ee’s? Its only one of the largest gas stations in the country. There are several of them starting in Texas. If you haven’t been, be aware that you can spend hours inside and get your Christmas shopping done.

The best place to stay in Austin, Texas

We absolutely love staying at the Austin East KOA — and for good reason!

First, the campsites aren’t stacked on top of each other like many campgrounds. You actually have room to breathe, relax, and enjoy your space. But the real surprise? Longhorns grazing at the back of the property. It’s such a unique Texas touch and makes the whole experience feel a little more authentic.

The campground is also fantastic for families. There’s a seasonal pool, a playground with a sandbox (which you almost never see anymore!), and outdoor games set up near the clubhouse where kids and families can hang out and have fun together. It really feels like a summer vacation spot where everyone can slow down and enjoy the outdoors.

We haven’t visited during the summer yet, so we can’t speak to the Texas heat and humidity, but it definitely looks like a dream place for families when the weather warms up.

A parking area featuring a black SUV and a gray truck beside a camper trailer, with a person setting up a table in the background. There are trees and a residential building visible in the setting. — Our site was spacious for 2 vehicles.

Silhouette of trees against a colorful sunset sky with RVs parked in a campsite. — The most spectacular sunsets!

A group of cattle in a grassy field, including a longhorn steer, a brown and white calf, and a larger brown bull resting nearby, with a fence in the foreground and trees in the background. — The longhorns at the back of the property.

Austin

The Father of Texas

If you know me, you know I have a bit of an obsession with cemeteries. I love walking through history and paying my respects to those who helped shape the past. So of course, while in Austin, I had to visit the Texas State Cemetery.

This peaceful and historic place serves as the final resting place for notable Texans who made significant contributions to the state’s history and culture. Walking through the grounds feels like stepping back in time, with beautiful monuments, quiet pathways, and stories waiting to be discovered around every corner.

The cemetery is quite large, so plan to spend some time here — whether you’re slowly driving through or taking a walk along the scenic grounds. It’s a serene, reflective stop that offers both history and beauty, and it’s well worth adding to your Austin itinerary.

Historical marker for the State Cemetery of Texas, detailing its purpose as a burial ground for honored individuals including governors and Confederate soldiers, with information on its founding and notable interments.

A historical plaque honoring Stephen F. Austin, detailing his contributions to Texas, including his role in bringing colonists and his appointment as Secretary of State. It includes information about his death and burial.

Statue of Stephen F. Austin, known as the 'Father of Texas,' atop a granite pedestal, surrounded by trees and blue sky.

Some of the oldest remains in the Texas State Cemetery belong to a mysterious sailor from the La Belle Shipwreck, part of a French expedition that took place between 1684 and 1687.

The ship sank off the coast near Matagorda Bay, and for centuries the identity of those aboard remained a mystery. In 1996, scientists excavated the wreck of La Belle and discovered skeletal remains believed to belong to one of the sailors. Despite modern DNA testing, his identity has never been confirmed, leaving him an unknown figure in Texas history.

In 2004, the sailor was laid to rest at the Texas State Cemetery, giving him a final resting place more than 300 years after the ship went down. It’s a powerful reminder that even unnamed individuals played a role in shaping the early history of Texas, and their stories continue to be honored today.

Historical marker detailing the burial site of a 19th-century sailor from the shipwreck of the Belle, with inscriptions about the sailor's life and the ship's journey.

The State Capitol

While you’re in Austin, a visit to the Texas State Capitol is an absolute must. Like many state capitols, it features a stunning dome — but this one has a Texas-sized twist. Built in 1888, the Capitol is actually taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., making it one of the most impressive state capitol buildings in the country.

One of the first things you’ll notice is the beautiful pink Texas granite used throughout the building, giving it a warm, unique look that really stands out in the Texas sun. Inside and out, the architecture and historic details make it a fascinating place to explore.

I really enjoyed spending time here, walking around the 22 acre grounds, with monuments and statues honoring important Texas figures and historical events. I was taking in the history, and admiring the stunning design. It’s a peaceful, educational, and beautiful stop in the heart of Austin — and I definitely recommend adding it to your visit.

Image of the Texas State Capitol building exterior with a dome.

A collage of historical monuments including a statue of a mounted soldier, a group of people viewing a bronze equestrian statue, and a vintage cannon in a park. — The ground are beautiful around the capitol and a great outdoor activity.

The experience here is part of the fun. You start by ordering your sides cafeteria-style, moving down the line as they hand you your selections. Then you make your way to the best part — the meat counter. This is where the magic happens. You tell them what you want, and they slice the brisket, ribs, or sausage right in front of you, fresh off the pit. The smell of slow-smoked meat fills the air and builds the anticipation for that first bite.

Lyndon B. Johnson Library

Admission is very reasonable at around $16 per person, and it’s easy to spend a couple of hours here exploring the exhibits and learning about the life and legacy of Lyndon B. Johnson. As you walk through the museum, you really begin to understand who he was, what he stood for, and how deeply he believed in serving the American people. He pushed through some of the most important civil rights legislation in U.S. history, launched the Great Society programs to reduce poverty and improve quality of life, and was widely known for his remarkable ability to get laws passed in Congress.

One of the most unique and unforgettable parts of the LBJ Library is the ability to listen to real recorded phone conversations. It truly feels like being a fly on the wall in the Oval Office, hearing the conversations, decisions, and behind-the-scenes moments as they actually happened. LBJ secretly recorded many of his calls, and hearing his voice and interactions firsthand brings history to life in a way that very few presidential libraries can offer.

This is an incredibly engaging and immersive museum experience. Whether you agree or disagree with his presidency, the library offers a powerful and educational look into American history and leadership. It’s a place that makes you think, reflect, and better understand the challenges of leading a nation — and it’s definitely worth adding to your Austin itinerary.

An office space featuring red sofas, a wooden desk with documents, and framed photographs on the walls. — Do you see the Great Hall of Records? It truly is impressive to see the 4 story glass wall. Researchers come from around the world to do research here.

Special Finds

I’m not sure how many celebrities live in Austin, but this one was special to my husband and a unique find. Although this person no longer lives here, my husband wanted to find the house. This person was a famous cyclist and won the Tour De France seven times in a row only to be stripped of all of them after an investigation revealed his involvement in a systematic doping conspiracy. Any idea who this was?

A large two-story house with a tile roof, featuring decorative shutters and multiple balconies, surrounded by a manicured garden and an iron fence. — This was Lance Armstrong’s house at one time.

View of skyscrapers reflecting in a river with trees in the foreground under a clear blue sky. — This is Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. It is named in honor of First lady Johnson for her dedication for environmental beautification. Locals use it to kayak and hiking trails around it. It was quite a surprise to see a lake in downtown.

The best Barbeque!

When we told locals we were looking for authentic Texas barbecue, one name kept coming up — Terry Black’s Barbecue. And after visiting for both lunch and dinner, we can see why it’s so highly recommended.

Grabbing a table can be a bit of a challenge in the evening because the place gets packed. But honestly, that’s usually a good sign that the food is worth it.

What I really love about this place is that the meat is true pit-smoked barbecue, not something flavored from a bottle. You can taste the time, care, and tradition in every bite. We’ve visited more than once and haven’t had a bad experience yet.

So if you’re in Austin and craving real Texas barbecue, this is definitely a place you should check out. It’s smoky, flavorful, and a true Texas food experience you won’t forget.

A couple poses together in front of Terry Black's Barbecue sign at night, illuminated by string lights and yellow umbrellas. — I met up with an old high school friend. It was great to catch up.

So if you ever find yourself in the heart of Texas, be sure to check out these amazing spots in Austin — you won’t be disappointed.

If you’ve been to Austin, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment and let me know where to find the best live music in the city, because Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World and there’s always something new to discover. Please like and hit the subscribe button to continue following us around the country.

Explore the Historic Landmarks of Fort Stockton, TX

March 23, 2026 by msminnie72, posted in Fort Stockton, Texas

A place where the tumbleweeds have the right of way and the wind is your constant travel companion. The kind of West Texas town that greets you with a giant roadrunner named Paisano Pete.

The unofficial town’s mascot and a great photo opp.

Historic Fort Stockton

The town of Fort Stockton grew around camp Stockton which was established in 1858. The fort itself was active from 1867 to 1886, guarding the vital waters of Comanche Springs and supporting mail routes, freight wagons, cattle drives, and emigrants heading west. The camp was named after Robert Field Stockton and was a place for protection for travelers between El Paso and San Antonio. Camanche Spring was a vital part of life in Fort Stockton as the 30 million gallon a day spring would water travelers and agriculture in the area.

The US army occupied the area until with 36 buildings and now only 4 original building stand.

The Best way to experience Fort Stockton

A self guided tour that allows visitors to experience Fort Stockton history. The tour begins at the visitor center at a old train depot that has been renovated. The tour is about 2-3 miles long with signs and descroptions along the way. After receiving our driving tour info, we walked around the center which housed these amazing large metal cutouts created by artist Brian Norwood depicting life in this area.

Next on our tour was the Historical First National Bank

After we were going to stop at the Gray Mule Saloon since it was in a old building but it didn’t open while we were there.

Next was the Annie Riggs Museum, which I spent quite a bit of time enjoying. The building itself was built in 1899 and Annie purchased the adobe building in 1904. She operated the place as a boarding house for travelers and cowboys and called it Riggs Hotel.

She had the first electric stove in Fort Stockton in 1922!

Pecos County Courthouse

The county was created in 1871.

Next is the old County jail that was built in 1883. The bottom floor was for the sheriffs office and residence. The second story was for inmates with 5 cells that could hold up to 35 people. The jail section functioned as a jail until 1973 while the residence lasted until the year 2000.

Now to the oldest house in Fort Stockton.

This house was believed to be built between 1855-1860.

As you can see, steps are being taken to preseve what is left of the old adobe house.

Next was the Comanche Springs Pool and Pavilion which is located inside the James Rooney Memorial Park. It has a channel of the Comache Spring water. The pool was built over the “big Chief” spring in 1938. Due to irrigation needs up river, the springs quit flowing and now only flow in the late winter months.

This is from the front looking through the gates.

It looks like it can get pretty wide during the wet seasons.

I was lucky enough to get to go inside the pool area and was given a mini tour and history lesson.

I believe this is originally where was the water would come in.

For more detailed information of the spring, visit https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/comanche-springs

St. Stephens Episcopal Church

This church was originally constructed in 1896 in Pecos, TX about 54 miles north of Fort Stockton. Services were continued until 1958 when the church scheduled for demolishion. The church was moved to Fort Stockton in the late 1950’s.

Then Historic Fort Stockton.

And we ended our tour at the old cementary.

Hilltop RV Park

We always stay at this RV park because it is so convenient. It is right off the 10 freeway and close to town in case we need to pick anything up. It is super windy up here.

You can see this flag on the hill for a couple miles on 10 freeway.

This park will also give you the most spectacular sunsets!

So if you ever find yourself in Fort Stockton, TX, take a look around the town and maybe talk with the locals and learn something new. Please hit the like and subscribe button to learn more about our amazing country.

Discover Tucson: Your Guide to Warm Winter Getaways

February 20, 2026 by msminnie72, posted in California

Where do these “snow birds” go after the holidays to warm up? Where the Saguaro are abundant and the sunsets are breathtaking. I’m talking Tucson, AZ, but it could be anywhere in southern AZ. We like to stay in the Sonoran Desert at Desert Trails RV Park. This is a 40 plus community park with planned activities if your interested, or you can hike or bike from the park with over 120 miles of trails. The best part is that it is a quiet park with no noise pollution from planes, trains or freeways. It also has no light pollution, so you can survey the stars to your heart’s content. The park has 225 full hook-up sites and you truly can meet the friendliest people. The park started as a waterpark in the 1970’s and was converted to an RV park in 2007.

This photo is taken at the top of the hill overseeing the park. This is the best place to watch the sunsets as well.

The park is great for bird watchers as well. The park attracts well over 50 varieties of birds.

While in Tucson

Tucson is a large city with so much to do. From hiking, biking, wine tasting or just site seeing, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

We love to visit National Parks and there is a big one right in Tucson: Saguaro National Park. This park is the home to the nations largest cacti: the Saguaro. There are 2 sections, east and west of Tucson. There’s a quite a few hiking trails to see the park.

What’s the difference between a barrel and a saguaro? The barrel has fishhooks spikes.

The East side of Saguaro National Park

With most places, I like to begin at the visitor center to get the lay of the land. I’ve found that the rangers have a wealth of information and offer useful maps of the park as well. The visitor center also offers restrooms and a giftshop. If you have about 15 minutes, I would highly recommend the short film, “Voices of the Desert,” and walking around the small museum. This is also the beginning of the 8 mile Cactus Forest Loop Drive.

This was from our first year here, when we had our dog Jessie. We sure miss him on our adventures!

Inside the museum, you learn a lot about the different species of cactus.

This saguaro is only about 30 years old at roughly 5 feet.

I’m pretty sure this is the only way I am going to see a Javalina. We have been looking out for one for 4 years and have not spotted one in the wild yet.

This is as close as I want to get to a mountain lion.

Still waiting to see a black bear in the wild.

The is Javelina Rocks overlook along the Loop Drive. We climbed to the top to enjoyed the view.

The West side

Along the Bajada Loop Drive I did a short hike Signal Hill Trail because it was the best place to see petroglyphs and the view of the desert meeting the city.

So if you’re a hiker, the East side is better. I would say if you’re short on time, the west side is for you. If you’re a southwestern lover of a cactus, either park will work for you. If you’re interested in seeing the desert come to life with blooms, May is probably the best time to see that, but beware of the heat at that time of year.

History Lesson of Missions of Tucson

Everyone knows about the California mission trail, right? NO? Is that just taught in California 4th grade classes? Probably. But did you know that Arizona has missions also? I did not either. So here is the thing, from 1682-1821, the Spanish established more than two dozen missions and presidios in Southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. These were built BEFORE the California missions that were established between 1761-1823. When we were visiting, we were not able to go inside due to renovations going on but if you’re in the area, check out their website to organize a visit.https://sanxaviermission.org/

This is San Xavier in Tucson, Arizona’s oldest European structure, completed in 1797. The is still a functioning mission with church services every Saturday at 10 AM and noon as well as 5:15 on Sunday evenings. They have a school for children k-3rd grades with plans to extend up to 8th grade.

Behind the mission, you can take a short little hike around a hill and get a great view from the top of the hill.

Old Tucson

If you are interested in stepping back in time and interacting with the times of the past, Old Tucson is the place to visit. Its a historic 1939 movie studio and western- themed park. The park was built in 1939 for the 1940 film Arizona. It has been a movie studio for over 500 production including some famous one including Rio Bravo with John Wayne, Tombstone with Kurt Russel as well as the TV show, Little House on the Prairie with Michael Landon. It has gone through some challenging times over recent years. There was a major fire that destroyed 40% of the studio lot on April 24, 1995 destroying sound stages as well as memorabilia. The park was shut down in 2020 like everything else due to the COVID pandemic. The park reopened in October 2022 and has been slowly trying to get traction as a tourist destination. When we visited last year, we saw stunts shows and shootouts. Andrew even got to participate in a show. Tickets are a bit steep at $40 per person, but where else can you get such entertainment?

See the pretty blonde in the middle? That would be Andrew.

The Turquoise Trail

This was our introduction to Tucson, AZ. We first stopped at the visitor center in downtown and got a map of the city, restaurant suggestions, and a recommendation for a walking trail. We were told about the Turquoise Trail that is a 2.5 mile walking loop around the city. It is marked with a bright turquoise line on the sidewalk. You can download the trail on your phone to get more information for a small fee. It highlights several historical sites that start with the historical Presidio Museum. The museum is a recreated Spanish fort built in 1775. The highlight was the pit house for me because I read about them, but you have to see one to understand it; it is different.

Along our trail we ventured to the Historic Tucson courthouse that was built in 1929. It has remained an active courthouse. It has seen many prominent cases as well as been visited by Hollywood.

The turquoise dome is a prominent feature and one of the most recognized structures in the region including the official Pima County Logo.

The courthouse made headlines in 1934 when the Dillinger Gang was captured in Tucson. Actor Clark Gable was found quilty in this courthouse in 1954 for negligence and crashing his car into another. In 1991 Johnny Depp pleaded guilty to speeding in the courtroom.

We found an authentic Mexican restaurant along our turquoise route at about the half way point called El Minuto Cafe. This has become a favorite restaurant of ours.

University of Arizona

If you have been following us for a bit, you know that we always find ourselves on college campuses. This time we came to the University of Arizona because my husband was a huge fan of Lute Olson and wanted to see where the legend coached.

We saw this little guy trying to make a delivery on campus.

So whether you have a day, a week, or several months, Tucson has a lot to offer for everyone. There is so much history in this town and a lot of murals around town to see. I highly recommend a visit and each year we come back with the “snow birds” to stay for a bit. I hope you enjoyed our journey to Tucson, AZ. Please hit the like and subscribe button to travel around the country with us.

Exploring Prairie Du Chien: Wisconsin’s Historic Gem

June 27, 2025June 28, 2025 by msminnie72, posted in Wisconsin

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that we left off with crossing the mighty Mississippi and we went to Wisconsin.

The Second Oldest Town in Wisconsin

The city Prairie Du Chien dates back to 1785. Our last stop on this trip in Wisconsin was the historic Villa Louis. We visited the estate of Hercules Louis Dousman who is often called Wisconsin’s first millionaire. This estate is nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River. You feel like you’re walking onto the set of Downton Abby with its elegant Victorian country home. Imagine this without the British accents. The house was opened to the public as a museum in 1935. I am a sucker for anything old, so walking through this old house was definitely on my bucket list.

We began our tour of the office building. It originally started with one floor and later a second floor was added. The first floor was a man cave. It was complete with a billiard table used by both men and women. The second floor was used for guest bedrooms.

The estate has been restored to the 1890 glory days complete with period furniture and heirloom gardens. The beautiful lawns outside that once housed a horse racetrack now looks like it can host a polo match.

The wraparound porch caught my eye immediately. I could imagine sitting here with a cup of tea, reading a good book and enjoying the views outside.

Can you imagine receiving guests in the parlor? You could host a lot of guests in this room although the chairs don’t look very comfortable.

They had indoor plumbing which yells, I have a lot of money. Check out the size of the tub! I would drown in it!

The grand dining room. Everything is original and changed out periodically.

It was not uncommon for girls to share a room together. I think most girls today would be okay with it given the size of the room.

Check out the detail of the carpet design.

Servants

I can imagine Thomas Barrow and crew from *Downton Abby* spilling the tea here during their dinner time.

Many women felt fortunate to work in such a grand house. As the sign reads “It offered the ability to improve English language skills, learn American housekeeping and general absorb and master American cultural norms.”

Some servants made their home here while others came to work for a day, week or a season. Monthly wages depended on your skill. House maids made $10-$12 a month, and gardeners made $30. Estate management made even more. I can’t imagine making so little, but their room and board were covered as well as their meals. The servant’s quarters were a stark difference from the main house. There were thinner walls and lower ceilings. Multiple doors and locks separated these spaces.

Gardens

This Arteisan Well was completed in 1876. It is the largest of two wells located on site. Both of the wells had been plumbed into the estate buildings at one time. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=284831059236817

This was the only battle of 1812 that was fought on Wisconsin soil. They do still have reenactments here as well.

If you have a couple of hours to spare, step back and tour the mansion. Touring the grounds is also recommended. Admission is only $15 and well worth the money. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we were on a time constraint. So, if you’re like me and like to pretend that you’re stepping back in time to live like royalty you have to visit. I really did feel like I walked onto the set of Downton Abby.

Madison

We love Wisconsin! More specifically, Madison. Why? The history, cheese, the dells, cheese. I’m kidding, but in all seriousness, Wisconsin was full of so many surprises that we left and came back! If it is not on your bucket list by the end of this blog, maybe it should be.

We stayed at Madison Campground in Deforrest, It looks like it is a former KOA. The campground was nice and the staff were great as well.

We didn’t spend a lot of time outside due to the humidity. Each site had a lot of space, so you were not on top of each other.

Two playgrounds designated for different ages. There was a pool here as well.

This is a nice group picnic area if you have a large group.

Any cow lovers out there? I’m definitely a Holstein cow lover. That’s why we had to stop to take this picture. We did this before going in and getting some cheese at the Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet https://ehlenbachscheese.com/ .

Talking about cheese, Madisonians take their cheese seriously. I have never seen so much cheese in one place. I was overwhelmed by what I wanted to buy.

After careful consideration, I ended up buying cheeses that I knew I could be creative with.

Smoked Bacon Cheddar Cheese (This was great to make Mac and Cheese)
Rosemary Olive Oil Asiago (This was great to use with pasta)
Chocolate Cheese Fudge (This was just for fun because I couldn’t believe that cheese tasted like fudge)

Fun Facts about traveling with cheese:

Cheese can travel outside of refrigeration. It must be kept at room temperature. It should be kept out of direct sunlight.
If traveling by airplane, it is usually best if you can pack your cheese in your checked luggage.

I would definitely come back to buy more cheese. I really envy Wisconsinites who have access to all of these creative cheeses.

It’s Totally Free!

What is the tallest building in the city? If you said the state capital, you would be correct. It is located in the center of Madison. That area is actually on an isthmus. An isthmus is a strip of land between two lakes.

We joined a free guided tour which showed us the Supreme Court chambers and legislative rooms. We also found the governor’s office to see where everything gets signed.

As you can see, the capital was under renovations. The dome is the only state capital with a granite dome. It’s a gorgeous white granite from Vermont. The dome is huge and elegant. It is technically taller than the one in D.C. , standing at a tall 284 feet which is 3 feet taller than the U.S. Capital.

This building is the third capital building for the state and it was completed in 1917 for $7.2 million.

Inside you will find murals, mosaics, stained glass, and enough marble to make Italy jealous.

When you are in the capital, look up into the Rotunda. You’ll see four massive murals. They represent key themes of democracy: Government, Justice, Education, and Liberty.

In the center of the inner dome is the painting of “Resources of Wisconsin.” The painting depicts a female figure representing Wisconsin. She is surrounded by other figures holding symbolic items. These items include lead, copper, tobacco, fruit, and a freshwater pearl. This painting doesn’t look very big, but it is 34 feet in diameter.

Where are the laws upheld? Of course, the Supreme Court.

This mural of one of four and sits behind the bench. This mural should look familiar, since it is the signing of the Declaration Of Independence.

The three paintings in the senate chamber depict a significant event. “The Marriage of the Atlantic and the Pacific” commemorates the opening of the Panama Canal.

The people of Wisconsin are proud of their badgers. This sculpture sits above the door of the second floor chambers.

While in Madison, you will find the quirky as well. This pink elephent was shown on the Google map as a tourist attraction. Sometimes you don’t have to go look for it, it finds you when you least expect it.

Stayed tuned as we head east in Wisconsin and go to the circus.

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Clowning around in Wisconsin

June 8, 2025July 27, 2025 by msminnie72, posted in Wisconsin

Welcome to our travel blog! We are Andrew and Loralee of the scherfswanderingwheels. We love traveling around our beautiful country to learn and experience new things. We are still traveling in Wisconsin and are heading east towards the Dells.

Our first stop was the Dell Pines Campground in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

There is so much to do at the campground. Whether it is shuffle board, pickle ball, volleyball, or miniature golf, there seems to be something for everyone.

We felt like we were camping in the forest due to the canopy of trees overhead. We did play pickle ball in the evening, but I got eaten by mosquitos as well. Overall, we really enjoyed this campground and would recommend it to any traveler.

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry! Step right up, as we soar into the crazy world of the Ringling Brothers Circus

The five brothers Al, Otto, Alt T., Charles, and John began their dream with just a small tent, three horses, a hyena, and a troupe of 21. As a sign in the museum states “The five brothers worked as a simple team, dividing the labor according to talent and inclination, but always acting as one. Their partnership was never on paper, and they shared equally in what became, during a lifetime of hard work, considerable wealth.”

What started as a dream among 5 brothers with a rented horse and a wagon, turned into a railroad traveling circus. It then merged with Barnum and Bailey Circus to become the Greatest Show on Earth.

From 1884 to 1918 Baraboo served as the circus’s winter home.

These circle things in the lower part of the wall were to chain the elephants to the wall. It’s sad to think that they didn’t have much room between them.

Remember the clowns? Many people (not just kids) don’t like the clowns. For me, they are great memories of watching all the shenanigans they got into with their colorful hair, big shoes, and little cars.

I remember seeing the little purple car in the background.

The museum opened its doors in Baraboo July 1, 1959

The circus quit traveling a few years back but this gave us a chance to learn the history of the circus and see where it all started. For $23 a person, this was well worth the stop, especially if you have small children. It was fun going down memory lane.

Under the Big Top

We didn’t know what to expect in this small area, but the lights set the stage for an hour show.

We got to see clowns, a dog show, acrobatics, jugglers, camels, and trapeze artists. It was quite a show.

Al Ringling Mansion and Brewery

Al Ringling was the eldest of the famous Ringling Brothers. He helped build Baraboo with the circus as well as building opera houses. This mansion was built in 1906 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While a restoration was taking place, a wooden box was discovered beneath the floorboards containing a historic beer recipe- which today is called the “Ringling Original”.

If you ever wanted to sip a cold one in a place that is across from an opera house and a three-ring circus, we found the place. We originally drove to see the mansion and then discovered there was a brewery, so of course we had to stop. I am not a beer fan, but Andrew is a huge stout beer fan. I ordered him a stout and myself a sweet drink as well as an empanada.

Rumor has it that the Gavioli organ plays live and the beer bar top is a bowling lane.

So, if you’re in the area, it is a fun experience to sit and enjoy a beer and eat some food while possibly listening to some live music and dancing. It was a quiet afternoon, so we enjoyed the ambiance of the bar. Be sure to tour the beautiful mansion for just $20. So cheers to history, heritage, and hops.

Devils Lake State Park

This state park is located in Baraboo, Wisconsin and what a gem it is. For us non-Wisconsin residents, we had to pay an entrance fee of $16 but it was well worth it. The park is very big, encompassing approximately 10,000 acres. This is Wisconsin’s biggest state park. There seems to be something here for everyone. There are over 30 miles of hiking trails, boat rentals, and camping.

This is beautiful Devil Lake on the north shore! At this time in the evening the lake was so calm and serene. The lake is approximately 47 feet at its deepest point with roughly 3.5 miles of shoreline.

I was very intrigued by the Bat Condo. Have you ever seen one of the these?

The drive was just beautiful through the tree canopy!

We watched the sunset from the south shore and what a site it was!

We did check out the campground with 423 sites for next time and we think it will be a great place to relax and just be. So, if you’re coming for an hour or a few days there is plenty of things to see and do if you desire.

We next headed north to the Dells, and it is a total tourist attraction. We tried not to get roped into a lot, but it was very hard. Think Las Vegas but without all the lights and heat. The hotels are jazzy and look giant to draw you in.

This hotel was closed for renovation, but this seems to scream route 66 hotel, doesn’t it?

Quack, Quack, Duck

Have you heard anything about these ducks? I had, but wasn’t so sure about it. It is a land and water boat. Andrew was very excited to share this experience with me. It is an 8 1/2 mile route that takes roughly an hour.

This is a World War II era water vehicle that takes you around the dells on a one hour tour. The tour is 30 min. on land and 30 min. in water. This duck tour claims to be the only continuous tour since 1946. It was built to ferry troops and supplies directly from the ship to shore. The website states, “It was given the name duck because the the truck was assigned a code DUKW. D represents 1942, the year of its design. ‘U’ indicates a utility vehicle. ‘K” means all-wheel drive capabilitu. And “W” signifies duel rea driving axels.”

While on land, we saw some wild life. Can you see it?

And here we are on the water, touring the dells while the tour guide is giving us Dells history, local legends, and humorous quips.

Final Quack: We did enjoy the ride, one of us more than the other. For me, it definitely was a tourist thing to do for $40, but now I can cross this off the bucket list as something I didn’t know I wanted to do. It was the weirdest ride on land and water wondering if we will sink in the Dells or crash in the forest; it is a must do at least once.

Lake House Grill and Bar

After our duck tour, we were inspired to have a nice lunch over looking Lake Delton.

We had a beuatiful lake view while eating our lunch. It wasn’t too warm, the weather was perfect.

The food was really good. I had a Buffalo Chicken and bacon wrap. Andrew had a summer house burger.

If you’re looking for a relaxing, out of the city place to enjoy some really good food, this is the place to go.

Root Beer Museum

If you’re a fan of root beer, this is the place to visit. This is a museum that immerses you in a foam- fueled journey through flavor, history, and root beer nostalgia. It is in the heart of the Dells right on the main tourist strip.

There are over 3,000 root beer brands lining these shelves. Its awesome to walk around here and see all the different brands of root beer.

Fun Facts

Root Beer dates back to colonial America
The original flavor came from the sassafras root, but the FDA banned sassafras oil.
It came before Coca-Cola, dating back to 1876.
The classic root beer float was supposedly invented in the 1890’s.

So if you’re in the area, and you’re looking for something cheap and fun to do where you can learn something along the way, try the Root Beer Museum. And while you’re there, pick up some unique root beer to try at home. I walked out with a case of 6 different root beers.

We love this part of Wisconsin. There is so much to see and do, but watch out for all the tourist things that can easily take all your vacation money. For me, my favorite part was the Ringling Brothers circus in Baraboo. It definetly made me think about the times I went to the circus as a kid and taking my kids to the circus as well.

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Family Celebrations in California: Food and Fun

June 6, 2025June 4, 2025 by msminnie72, posted in California

Thanks for joining us! We are a husband-and-wife team that travels the country in our Keystone Cougar 2100 RKS, and we love to explore new places. We stopped in Sycamore, Illinois to park our 5th wheel while we flew to California for our daughter’s 21st birthday. We went to dinner in town after watching a car parade go through town. We had dinner at Pizza, Beer, Whiskey, and oh my goodness, the pizza was the best pizza that we ever had. We put our rig at Sycamore RV Park for a few days. It looks like a nice park with ponds. The older gentleman at the desk was not very nice but escorted us to our site only to tell us we didn’t do it correctly. It’s not like we were new at this. My goodness! The sites are very close and not a lot of privacy. But since we were leaving, none of this mattered to us.

This was a special for the day. I don’t remember what it is called.

We each had a shot of whiskey with our dinner.

We jumped on a plane in Chicago to California for a few days.

She enjoyed her first of many drinks with a Mimosa.

While in town, we enjoyed seeing our kids and our new granddaughter. She had gotten so big in just a few months.

After the weekend, we stayed a night in Clovis, California and had a fabulous dinner at House of JuJu. This is one of our favorite restaurants that we frequent when we are in the area.

Shrimp Tacos which are two grilled shrimp tacos served on corn tortillas topped with a cilantro-cabbage mix, fresh avocado drizzled with spicy Chipotle cilantro taco sauce. I get this every time because I can’t find tacos like these anywhere. I love them!

Betsy Ross which is a classic style house sauce, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickle. It comes with potatoes that are so good!

We met with our realtor for the final signing of selling our house, and the next morning we drove back to San Francisco. We hung out with our daughter for a few hours before we jumped on a plane back to Chicago for a red eye flight.

We stopped for gas and there was a Dunkin’ Donuts. We are not big breakfast people, but we were hungry after flying all night.

Don’t these look good? We each had one before we fell asleep and learned the ants thought they were good too! So, these yummy looking donuts went to the trash.

We got back to our fifth wheel around 7 a.m. and went to bed for a few hours. Then we hit the road.

Stayed tuned as we head to Iowa and learn about how flour was made in the 1800’s

A Journey Through Ohio: Discovering Hidden Gems and Local History

May 27, 2025June 4, 2025 by msminnie72, posted in Ohio

Thanks for joining us, and welcome to Ohio as we explore the area for a couple of weeks. We are a husband-and-wife team that travels the country in our Keystone Cougar 2100 RKS, and we love to explore new places. If you like to learn new things, this is the blog for you. Today we learn about Lewis and Clark, Annie Oakley, and The Treaty of Greenville. We last left off at the Keystone Cougar Rally in Shipshewana, Indiana. After the rally, we headed to Ohio and stayed at a Harvest Host called The Cedar Coffee in New Paris, Ohio. This isn’t like other coffee houses that you see around the country. This is better because it is a small company in a small town. While walking to the coffee shop, we walked along this beautiful stream.

While here, we had some drinks and snacks while waiting for some friends. We didn’t want to get coffee in the middle of the day. The drinks were just what we needed while waiting for our friends.

We caught up with some college friends that we hadn’t seen in 25 years. It was so good to catch up with them.

After a day, we headed to another Harvest Host called Today’s Harvest in New Paris, Ohio. We parked in their parking lot and enjoyed the farm life around us. The next day we traveled through the town of Greenville, Ohio and stopped at the Garst Museum. I love these little stops so Andrew can work, and I can learn new things. The Garst Museum is the National Annie Oakley Center. I was very excited to learn about this woman I had heard about but didn’t really know a lot about.

On November 16, 1977, this house was added to the National Registry of Historic Places.

There is so much history in this building that I spent a good couple of hours here. I felt like I was walking back in time absorbing as much information as I could. I love to learn history this way much more than reading it in a book.

Greenville, Ohio

Greenville is a city in Darke county and was incorporated in 1832. Greene Ville was the largest stockade fort ever built in North America and was named by Anthony Wayne. It was the scene of the most significant American Indian treaty ever negotiated. Darke county was name after William Darke who commanded a battalion of St. Clair’s Army. He was described as being “frank and fearless in disposition.” Drake county has 188 graves of War of 1812 veterans.

Cross Roads of Destiny

The Treaty of Greene Ville of 1795 opened the door to the settlement of the Midwest . The Treaty ended forty years of conflict over the upper Ohio Valley. The post was abandoned in 1797 and none of the original structures survived. In 1805-1808, a Shawnee chief Tecumseh who was against western expansion and his brother build a village near the ruins. https://www.garstmuseum.org/exhibits

On August 3, 1795, the **Treaty of Greenville**, formally titled “A treaty of peace between the United States of America, and the tribes of Indians,” was signed, ending the Northwest Indian War and establishing a boundary line between Native American lands and territory for United States settlement.

The power hitters of the western expansion.

Lewis and Clark

You know, the two explorers of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

In 1795, Meriwether Lewis joined the US Army but not very much time had passed before Lewis was charged with” conduct unbecoming of an officer” based on charges by Lieutenant Joseph Elliot. Based on the transcripts of the court martial, Lt. Elliot claimed that Lewis was intoxicated and challenged him to a duel. Lewis defended himself successfully and was acquitted with honor. He was then transferred to William Clark’s unit probably because of the court martial and his superior marksmanship in the army.

Well, Willliam Clark was stationed in Greene Ville in 1794 and in 1795 Merriweather Lewis was sent there to witness the Treaty. While the two men were in Greene Ville, they became life long friends.

On April 1, 1801, Lewis was appointed as Secretary to the President by Thomas Jefferson. In 1803, Jefferson had commissioned the Corps of Discovery to explore a path west to the Pacific Ocean and to expand the territory. Jefferson chose US Army captain Lewis, and Lewis chose Clark as his partner after Jefferson purchase land from France for $15 million. So, on May 14, 1804, with a crew of 33 volunteers, Clark left by canoe at Camp Dubois, Illinois and followed the Missouri river to meet up with Lewis in St. Charles, Missouri. The expedition lasted 2 years.

Annie Oakley

She was born as Phoebe Anne Mosey.

Annie was not a very tall girl, just about 5 feet tall, which I can relate to.

Does the name sound familiar? It did for me, but the only thing I knew, was that she was good with a gun. Annie was born August 13, 1860 in Darke County, Ohio. When Annie was 6, her father died leaving the family of 8 in extreme poverty. The children were sent to families to live and work who could pay them. When she was 7 she tried her father’s muzzle-loading rifle with her brother’s help. She seems to have been born with special shooting skills. At 8, she was sent to the Edingtons, supervisors of the Darke County Infirmary, where she was treated well. Later she was sent to another family that didn’t treat her well, where she was abused, overworked and rarely paid. She called the family “wolves” and eventually ran away back to her mother only to learn her stepfather had also died. She returned to the Edingtons and considered that she had a happy childhood.

Annie met her husband Frank Butler when she went to the city to visit her sister when she was 15. She then won a shooting contest against him and a year later, in 1876 they married and never had any children.

Frank adopted a dog and named him Dave. They did shows with him and she would shoot an apple off the top of Dave’s head. When the War started, both Frank and Annie were touring to raise money for the Red Cross. He became known as Red Cross Dave because he could sniff out money in handkerchiefs.

In 1885 the pair joined Buffalo Wild Bill and traveled around Europe performing for royalty.

While bird hunting in New Jersey, Frank felt a jolt and when he looked at his shotgun, he could see that a hunter had fired a high powered rifle in his direction. The bullet blasted a hole through his gunstock. He kept the stock and used it in lectures regarding gun safety.

In 1887 Charles Lancaster crafted a shotgun specified for Annie with her shoulder and arm dimensions. From then on, she specified that all of her rifles and shotguns be constructed with the same dimensions.

In 1926 Annie and Frank came back to Greenville, Ohio to live quietly, writing to family and friends. They passed away 17 days apart with Annie passing first. They are buried together in the Brock cemetery near Greenville Ohio.

We ended our day in Bradford, Ohio at a Harvest Host.

Ansonia, Ohio where we stopped for dinner at the Whistle Stop. The food was delicious and the service was great.

These were potato skins. They were perfect!

While driving around at night, we got to see a sight that I’m not used to seeing. They glow at night and they blink. Do you know, what I’m talking about? Did you say Fire flies?

I hoped you learned something with us in Ohio. Please hit the subscribe and like button to stay in touch. Stay tuned for more as we get connected in Indiana.

Keystone Cougar Rally Experience in Shipshewana

May 16, 2025May 15, 2025 by msminnie72, posted in Indiana

Thanks for joining us, and welcome to Indiana as we explore the area for a couple of weeks. We are a husband-and-wife team that travels the country in our Keystone Cougar 2100 RKS, and we love to explore new places. The drive into Indianapolis was nuts because there was so much construction going on, but the skyline was nice.

Today we begin with visiting the RV Hall of Fame and museum in Elkhart, IN. My husband has been dying to come here!

Fun Fact: This is a Harvest Host. The only thing you pay for is your admission to the museum unless you want power which we did because it was hot.

Their “mission is to recognize, preserve, and honor the history, pioneers, and individuals who have been instrumental in making the Recreational Vehicle and Manufactured Housing industries what they are today.” I think they have done a really good job in showcasing RV’s throughout the years. We spent about 3 hours walking around.

The highlight of the museum for Andrew was seeing the KYD bus. Backstory, we follow an RV couple call KYD (Keep Your Daydream) and they bought a 1984 Blue Bird Wanderlodge in 2021. In July of 21 they embarked on an epic adventure of traveling route 66 in the bird. They then ended in Santa Monica and drove back to Indiana and the bird was inducted in the RV Hall of Fame in March of 2022.

He was so giddy that he sat where Mark had sat.

They even have a model on how RV’s are made. This was really cool to see. Keep reading and you can see it in the Cougar manufacturing plant later in this blog.

So if you like RV’s and want to learn about the evolution of the RV industry, this is the place to go. I highly recommend it. Check out their website at https://www.rvmhhalloffame.org/

Keystone Cougar rally

The next day we headed over to Shipshewana, Indiana for our Cougar Rally. This was our first rally and didn’t quite know what to expect. It was a great experience even with about 125 rigs there.

Where the red arrow is where our rig is.

We even had women’s driving school. It was such a good experience.

The rally had so many events scheduled, and we met so many people. We all met up for dinner each night and had a grand time. Each night was a theme with food and entertainment as well as a basket exchange for those that wanted to participate. During the day, we had class and events as well as a factory tour.

Can you guess what the theme was this night?

Keystone Cougar Plant

This is one of the seminars at the Keystone Cougar assembly plants.

We got to see how our rigs were made. I’m not gonna lie, this was soooo cool!!!

Shipshewana

We entered the city where the old and the new converge together. Where automobiles share the roads with Amish buggies. I have always loved the way of the Amish, so to get to experience a little touch of it was awesome.

The Amish working the fields without machinery.

Beautiful pond in town outside the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery.

The food was good but I was surprised by it. It didn’t taste fresh, but rather from a box or can.

We did go into the bakery after lunch and purchase some baked goods and some peanut butter.

Stay tuned as we venture into Ohio to visit with old friends and see the sights of Ohio.

Exploring KOA Campgrounds: Weathering the Journey to Indiana

May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 by msminnie72, posted in Illinois

After meeting with the Clydesdales, we ended up at the St. Louis /Granite City KOA in IL for a few nights on our way to Indiana hoping to avoid some of the weather. We stayed in site A4, and A5.

This is a nice little campground.

After a long day, it was nice to put our feet into the pool to cool off.

Andrew is goofing around on the bounce pillow.

A nicer park for when it’s not hot outside since the other is all metal.

Well due to in climate weather, we decided to go east instead of north to try to avoid the nasty weather that was forecasted.

Home of the University of Louisville Athletics

We ended up going 4.5 hours out of the way staying at Louisville South KOA Holiday. We have stayed here a couple of times and stayed in sites 225 and 284. Then we headed to Indiana

The next morning, we headed to the RV Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkart In. which is a Harvest Host as well.

Stay tuned as we head to Amish area in Indiana and we tour the Keystone Cougar factory.

Travel Guide to the Colorado Springs area

April 1, 2025 by msminnie72, posted in Colorado

Garden of the Gods

If you have been following along with our travels, you know that some of my favorites places include red rocks. The red rock formations formed millions a years ago. Originally known as Red Rock Corral. In 1859, a surveyor thought the place would be a good “capital place for a beer garden.” His partner thought it was a good place for gods to gather. Later in 1893 Helen Hunt Jackson officially named the area Garden of the Gods.

Charles Elliot Perkins, established a home in this area with 480 acres. After his death, his family donated the land to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909 with the provision that it would be a free public park. In 1972, the park became a National Monument.

The park is popular for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. In the summer, there is a free shuttle service with 4 stops around the park. We had a family member who lives in the area drive us around, and even in the off season, parking was difficult.

This is a famous rock formation called balancing rock.

Siamese Twins trail was an easy 1-mile roundtrip with only 150-foot rise. The views were magnificent.

This is such a beautiful park, that I would definelty spend a day or two here to enjoy all parts of the park.

Because of parking, we decided to hike to the Visitor and Nature center to get our ride. It definitely was father than we thought. It never seems to be a straight line forward, but the views were great!

The Royal Gorge Bridge

What is the Royal Gorge you ask? It is the canyon of the Arkansas River located near Canon City, Colorado. The bridge was built in 1929, and at the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the country. It is 956 feet above the river and is 1,260 feet from rim to rim. It took about 7 months to build with the grand opening on Dec. 8, 1921.

I’ll be the first to admit that I was a bit nervous about walking across the bridge. Why? Because you could see through the wooden planks to the river below.

With gaps in the planks and small feet, I was nervous psychologically.

Gorge Fire

On Tuesday June 11, 2013, a fire erupted west of the royal gorge bridge in western Colorado. With high winds, the fire jumped the canyon walls and reached the Royal Gorge Bridge Park. The park was evacuated and everyone was safe, but the majority of the buildings were burned. Of the 360 acres, 90% of the park was destroyed including the playland rides and attractions. The bridge was spared with the exception of roughly 100 planks.

Fourteen months later, the park was reopened with new buildings and the Poma-Leitner Aerial Gondolas, zip-lining, and a sky coaster.

The views are breathtaking above and below the canyon rim.

You can spend the whole day here if you want. It is definitely a must see if you’re in the Colorado Springs area; it’s a short drive to see this fabulous canyon.

Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain, is named for Lt. Zebulon Pike who never reached the top. This mountain is 14,115 feet high and you can reach the top in a few ways. The most popular is taking the 3.5 hour round trip cog train ride. The cog train has been traveling up the mountain since 1891. This is the way Autmn and I traveled to the summit. Prices are around $70 to enjoy the ride that was well worth it.

Up toward the top, you have mountains of these rocks.

The views up at the top of the mountain were amazing.

We were told that we have to have donuts up at the top of the mountain. So the first thing we did when we got off the train was go inside to beat the lines to get our donuts. You only have about 40 minutes before you have to get back on the train, and you don’t want to miss the train.

Here is a close up of the 9 mile cog railway.

The next time we go up to Pikes Peak, we will probably drive the 19 miles paved windy road, so we can spend more time up at the top.

After the cog train ride, we walked around Maintou Springs and took in the sites.

The Air Force Academy

We are lucky enough to have a retired Air Force family member to show us around the campus. If you are not as lucky as us, please research the process you have to go through to visit the campus. I don’t think you can just show up and go on the campus. At the entrance we started with some planes on display.

We were able to see some glidder trainings. This was cool to see! This picture doesn’t show it very well though.

We also got to see some cadets from on top of the honor court overlook, and what is interesting is that when they are training, they can only walk on the white lines.

You can also watch the cadet noon formation where you watch the squadrons marching to lunch, weather permitting.

We made the long walk (1/3 mile, but it seemed longer) to the world-famous chapel, but it has been under construction for a few years now. It currently is encased in a box to allow workers to work on the chapel year-round since they get quite cold with snow. The chapel was built is 1962 with 17 spires that are 150 feet tall. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark and the most visited man-made structure in Colorado Springs.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the Colorado Springs area. Stayed tuned as we travel to Kansas and visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library.