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.

Wandering Waco 3

I would bet the most visited museum in Waco is the Dr. Pepper Museum . . . it is usually where I take my visitors when they are in town.  I have not been in many years so grabbed my pass at the library and headed out.  My local libraries offer free museum passes with a library card.  It is a great program and saves money.  I wonder if other libraries do this?  

The museum has expanded to three floors.  I was very impressed on the improvements.  I found the displays fun to look back at the history and products.  

One thing that I did not remember is Sugar Free Dr. Pepper came in blue cans . . . I am guessing this became the white can Diet Dr. Pepper in the 80s?

If you have a paid ticket your admissions gets you a soda at the soda fountain . . . my ticket was free so no free soda which was fine with me.  A few blocks away is Milk Bottle Cookies . . . they have been around for a few years but never stopped by.  It's hard to just pick one but you could easily share a cookie as they are very large!  I went with the strawberry lemonade and samoa cookie . . . it will take several days to eat both cookies. 

Museum Pass saved: $12 

Sweet Treat:  $6

Wandering Waco 2

I checked out another museum pass and have my plan!  Unfortunately, it is Spring Break with a lot of visitors to our town.  I circled the parking lot for a long time and well there was just no parking so I gave up and headed to lunch.  I am excited to head to a part of Waco that I would normally avoid.  Growing up in the area this was a place known for a lot of crime.  I must say that I was very surprised at all the renovations and revitalization to the East Side of Waco.  What a great job and I'm sure a lot of hard work and dedication by the local community to turn the area around.  My lunch today is at Revival Eastside Eatery.  When they drop off a glass of water with the menu, I know I am going to like this place!  I also liked the concept of a rotating staff; anyone could help you if you needed it. The  ingredients are locally sourced and fresh daily. The building used to be a church and the menu item are all religious puns.  I had the Rachel sandwich which was roast beef, arugula, pickled red onions, horseradish aioli, cheese on a rosemary sour dough bread . . . with a side of fries and lemon garlic aioli dipping sauce.  Yummy!

I headed back to the museum and still no luck finding parking so I decided to pivot.  The weather is amazing so I changed my plans.  I decided to walk the banks of the Brazos River.  I started at Bledsole Miller Park and visited the Doris Miller Memorial.  Doris Miller was born in Waco, Texas, on October 12, 1919. He enlisted in the Navy in 1939.  Doris "Dorie" Miller was a U.S. Navy sailor and hero of the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. As a Black Mess Attendant Third Class on the USS West Virginia, he disregarded safety to move wounded crewmen and manned an anti-aircraft gun without training, shooting down multiple Japanese aircraft.  Miller received the Navy Cross on May 27, 1942, during a ceremony aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) at Pearl Harbor. Presented by Admiral Chester Nimitz, this award recognized his extraordinary courage under fire during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, making him the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross.

Doris Miller was killed in action when his ship, the escort carrier USS Liscome Bay, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Makin in the Gilbert Islands on November 24, 1943; he was 24 years old.

I walked down to the bank of the Brazos River to get a view of the Suspension Bridge.

I drove across the Brazos River to Indian Spring Park to check out the Suspension Bridge from the top.  Completed in 1870, the Waco Suspension Bridge is a historic 475-foot structure spanning the Brazos River in Waco, Texas. Originally a toll bridge crucial to the Chisholm Trail cattle drives, it was the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi upon completion. Designed by Thomas M. Griffith and using John Roebling Co. cables (later used for the Brooklyn Bridge), it now serves as a pedestrian walkway and scenic park.  

 

I gave the museum one more try and still not parking so I headed out to find a sweet treat at Around the World Bakery.  

I ordered a vanilla latte and raspberry . . . I was shocked at how expensive the two items were but should have known since the raspberry did not have a price like every other dessert.  So always ask the price.  The raspberry was filled with lemon cake, lemon curd, raspberry jam, and raspberry cream.  It was very good but for the size of the raspberry not $9 good. Oddly it was the only item in the display case with no price so I should have known.  Oh well!  

Lunch:  $14.88

Sweet Treat:  $15.25 . . .  a splurge!

Museum Pass saved:  $0