Wandering Waco 11

One place I always recommend to visitors is the Waco Mammoth National Monument.  

It is a collaboration between the National Park Service, Baylor University, and the City of Waco.  

I  have been several times but today was the first time I attended one of the tours that actually gave the history of the site and explained exactly what I was looking at . . . otherwise you are looking down at a big hole with some bones.   

Quick summary:  In 1978, two local men discovered a large mammoth bone in a ravine near the Bosque River in Texas, leading to the unearthing of a rare nursery herd of Columbian mammoths. As of my visit, there have been at least 24 mammoths uncovered.  Following years of excavation and research by Baylor University, the site opened to the public inside a protective dig shelter in 2009. The site was officially designated as the Waco Mammoth National Monument in 2015.

I used a museum pass from the local library so it was free; otherwise it is $8 per person to visit (NPS Passes don't get you in for free).  Tours were on the top of the hour and worth the 45 minutes.  You don't have to go on a tour; you can get your ticket and just show up to the dig site.  

Wandering Waco 10

I am going a bit crazy hanging out at home . . . it is already hitting triple digits so being outside is a bit unbearable.  I woke up early and told myself I was going to do something outdoors today.  So, I quickly got dressed and was on my way to Mother Neff State Park.  The weird thing is I grew up less than 20 miles from this state park and have never been here.  I arrived just minutes after they opened at 8am.  I grabbed a map and off I went.  I had already mapped out the trails I wanted to hike so that made it easy as I was trying to beat the Texas heat.  My car said it was 77, but I tell you it sure did not feel that cool.  The trails were well marked with a lot of shade!

I started at the Tower Trail and ended up on the Cave Trail.  I stopped at the CCC Rock Tower.  

You could climb to the top to see the views . . . which were mainly tree tops but nice.

. . . then on to the CCC Table.  

. . . and finally Tonkawa Cave.  The Tonkawa people lived in the rock shelter over 200 years ago.  

. . . with a final stop at the Historic Bell.  The CCC used this bell to call workers for dinner, meetings, and to warn them of storms.

The sun was starting to show its stuff so I jumped in the air conditioning and headed home.  And my car said it was 81 . . . not way because it already felt like 101!

Who was Mother Neff?

Isabella Eleanor Neff was born in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1830; the youngest of 12 children. She married Noah Neff in 1854, and after a few days of marriage, they decided to move to Texas.  It took them 52 days by carriage to drive from Roanoke to Belton, Texas.  They settled along the Leon River in Coryell County.  She earned the nickname Mother Neff from Chisholm Trail cowboys and local travelers because of her legendary hospitality, often offering them pie, coffee, and a place to rest.  Upon her death in 1921, she gifted 6 acres of her property to the citizens of Texas.  In other Neff family news, her youngest son, Pat Morris Neff, was elected Governor of Texas in 1921 and was president of Baylor University.  He would also donate more land to make Mother Neff State Park what it is today.

Lost Pines Resort, Texas

It is time for my yearly trek to hang out at my favorite Texas resort that is "near" my house, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort.  Lost Pines is not really the town it is located .. . apparently it is Cedar Creek which is close to Bastrop, Texas.  But that doesn't really matter!

It is not really in my budget but thanks to points it is a "free" splurge!  I love walking up to the entrance knowing I am about to do absolutely nothing but relax . . . and eat.  The front is just as pretty as the back!

 

I love to go here before school ends and mid week  . . . the resort is empty except for an occasional conference of adults that attend meetings by day and fancy lawn parties by night.  I swear there were less than 20 people at the pool/lazy river area each day, and I was loving it!  My agenda was float the lazy river . . . round and round and round for hours!

 

. . . staring at blue skies!  

. . . with an occasional snack; that mango refresher drink was amazing!

Oh and who doesn't love a spin down the water slide?

I took breaks to nap in the room and check on the local friends . . . Johnny did not seem interested in visitors today.  I understand because for late May it is already HOT here in Texas.  At least he was smart enough to lay in the shade unlike the other crazy goats!

As night approached, I was in line to grab my free s'mores kit and off to the firepits.

Wandering Waco 9

It is an easy day today.  I'm out early to beat the Texas heat . . . it is already hot so going to be a very long summer!  No museum pass needed as I am headed to the Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway.  I haven't been here in years and they have done some major renovations!  I wandered around the main garden area with fun sculptures, beautiful artwork, and planters.

Then found the nature trails and headed out.  The trails are very short  . . . I mean short short.  I brought a book and found many park benches under the large trees to relax and read.

 

It was time for a sweet treat.  Just down the road is my new favorite ice cream place, Splendid Oaks Chocolates and Ice Cream.

The sampler with 8 flavors ($14) . . . don't judge!  All the flavors were so good but the raspberry and mango sorbet tasted like fresh fruit.  The Wookie Monster, cinnamon ice cream with oatmeal cookie pieces, was over the top yummy!  And if you like homemade chocolates they have an amazing selection too!

Wandering Waco 8

The last of the Waco historic homes open for tours is the Earle-Napier-Kinnard House.  

From Historic Waco:  In 1855, John Baylis Earle moved to Waco from Alabama and began construction on a one story house containing two rooms in 1858. At the time, it was one of the earliest brick homes of Waco. Mr. Earle briefly served in the Confederate Army, but left due to his poor eyesight.  In 1866, Earle moved his family to East Waco. In 1868, after the Civil War,  Dr. John Smith Napier, Sr. sold his plantation in Alabama and moved to Waco. The Napier Family completed the two story Greek-Revival style structure that exists today. Dr. Napier's daughter, Sarah, married Reverend David C. Kinnard, Jr. and the two moved into the home subsequently inheriting it. The Reverend and Mrs. Kinnard continued to reside in the house with their three children. The last two residents in the house were Miss Mary Kinnard and Miss Kate Kinnard.  To support themselves, they moved in solely in the downstairs part of the home while renting upstairs to Baylor University students. Although the house changed hands multiple times throughout the course of history, many elements of the home are original including the ceiling lamp in the entrance hall and the Lincoln rocking chair located in the South Parlor.

I enjoyed all three house tours but the Earle-Napier-Kinnard house was my favorite and the best tour!

And across the street is a place I really like but don't get down here often . . . nothing new or exciting but brings back memories of travel to when there were not in my part of Texas . . . In-N-Out Double-Double for the win!

Museum Pass saved: $10

Lunch: $10.50

Wandering Waco 7

I am continuing to visit another of the historic homes in Waco.  Today, I am at the McCulloch House.

From Historic Waco:  The original two room cabin was built by Dr. Josiah H. Caldwell in 1866, as a home for his wife and five children.  In 1870, the house was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Champe Carter McCulloch who expanded the structure to its present size and Greek-Revival style and appearance that we see today. Champ Carter McCulloch was a prominent merchant in town along with serving as the Mayor of Waco for eleven years.  The house remained occupied by McCulloch family members until 1971. Along with many family heirlooms on display that tell the story of the Caldwell and McCulloch Family, the house showcases watercolor paintings painted by English artist Charles H. Cox, a cotton merchant who painted watercolors in Waco between 1890 and 1901.

And we all know I have to go have lunch so today I am driving across town to a place called Dos Mundos Spud Shack. They are knows for the Big Papi Spud and it was a massive loaded baked potato topped with chopped brisket, smoked rib, sausage link, barbecue sauce, butter, cheese, and chives.

Museum Pass save: $10

Lunch: $18

Wandering Waco 6

Museum Pass in hand and off to explore one of the three historic homes open for tours.  

East Terrance House 

From Historic Waco:  After moving from Tennessee in 1858, industrialist and businessman John Wesley Mann built this beautiful Italianate villa style house for his bride, Cemira.  In 1874, John Wesley Mann, his wife, and their two young boys, Howard and J. W. Jr., moved into East Terrace.  Mr. Mann was involved in several businesses in town, including the brick company that furnished the bricks used in constructing the Waco Suspension Bridge serving as a pivotal economical, cultural, and overall landmark for Waco. In 1884, he built an "Entertainment Wing" which included a ballroom for lavish parties. Parties in the East Terrace ballroom were a grand event.  As an adult, Howard Mann recalled the beautifully dressed women and their handsome escorts dancing at the Summer Balls.  Extra stable boys had to be hired to take care of the 50+ carriages and their horses.  The house changed hands and uses several times. Other uses for the house include a sanatorium and boarding house. While touring East Terrace, you will see many objects within the home that were original to the Mann family including the cast iron bathtub in the bathroom and other furnishings.

I love BBQ and have my regular rotation.  Waco has some lesser advertised BBQ joints on this side of Waco so today I popped in at Jasper's Bar-B-Que.  It feels like a hole in the wall kind of place with the nicest people working there!  Jasper's has been around since 1919 making it one of the oldest operating BBQ places in Waco.  I got a brisket/rib plate and a jalapeno popper that was so perfect.

Museum Pass saved:  $10

Lunch:  $15.45

Wandering Waco 5

One of the newest discoveries I have come to love is out at TSTC.  

The TSTC Culinary Arts program in Waco operates a student-run restaurant at the Greta W. Watson Culinary Arts Center, serving themed, three-course, public lunches on select Wednesdays and Fridays. The menu changes weekly, featuring student-prepared meals.  You must plan ahead by making a reservation two weeks in advance.  Let me tell you, it isn't easy to get a reservation so be sure to be ready to submit if interested.  

 

 

 

I have attended several lunches over the last two semesters and all were good.  Honestly, I look forward to every week I am able to get a reservation.  The only repeat theme was German which you know I did not mind at all . . . the menu was different so that was good.  So did I have favorites?  Of course!

Overall meal where I liked all three courses:  Cajun

Most unique:  Enchiladas de mole con pollo (Mexico)

Best Dessert:  Oh that's hard . . . both German desserts and Pistachio Baklava (Mediterranean) 

Best new food item:  Samosa (India)

Healthiest meal:  Mediterranean 

Least favorite meal:  India . . . flavors were just different to me.

I have never had a bad meal . . . and can't wait to go back!

Wandering Waco 4

 Today I needed a sweet treat so headed downtown Waco to The Apple Gal . . . .

. . . let me tell you it was so yummy!  I ordered the German Chocolate and it was delicious!  

 

There were at least 20 different flavors, and the shop was just cute!  She hasn't been open long but sure hope she stays a long time!  The downtown was super busy with people out enjoying the weather and all that downtown has to offer . . . you can wander across the street for all things Magnolia Market, Fixer Upper,  and Silos.