Clifton Classic Chassis & The Golden Age Gallery of Art and Artifacts

 Most of the 35 cars in the museum aren't restored but are in excellent condition with low mileage. Except for a few they are  all owned by Terry Watson who runs the museum as a non-profit. It's a nice collection but nothing spectacular. The 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser is cool though!

 

In addition to the cars Terry has amassed a collection of art and memorabilia. We didn't see all of the art because the main power was off. 

The museum is accessible.

The cars are housed in a old grocery store so the parking lot is large enough for any vehicle.  Museum  31.78211, -97.57553

 

LBJ National Historical Park Visitor Center

LBJ was born in 1908 in a farmhouse near Stonewall, Texas where he spent the first five years of his life before his family moved to Johnson City, a rural town and county seat that was founded in 1879 by  James P. Johnson, his father's cousin. At the time only a few hundred people lived in Johnson City. The electric grid hadn't expanded to rural areas and houses didn't have running water. The family struggled due to his father's faltering political career and business failures. His childhood experiences in Johnson City affected LBJ for the rest of his life and influenced his support of the Great Society programs. 

The visitor center and walking tour of the Johnson Settlement is one half of the LBJ NHP. The other half, which we visited in 2022, is 14 miles west at the ranch that Johnson bought in 1961. I recommend visiting both areas. The visitor center at Johnson City covers LBJ's early years and his political career. The walking tour is about a mile long with interpretive signs and stops at LBJ's boyhood home, the general store which is now the chamber of commerce and has a few exhibits about Johnson City, an exhibit center, LBJ's grandfather cabin, and two barns. 

The visitor center is accessible. The walking tour starts in  town then makes a loop through Johnson family farmland. The sidewalks and curb cuts in town are in fair condition.The boyhood home was not opened during our visit. It does have ramps but they may be too steep. The general store has an ADA compliant ramp. The farmland part of the tour travels over a finely crushed stone trail. This trail is steep at the beginning so wheelchair users may need assistance. Most of the tour is accessible although accessing the ramp at the log cabin involves a trip over lumpy grassy ground. The exhibit center is undergoing renovation. 

Follow the signs to the RV parking spaces in the lot east of the visitor center. A paved path goes to the visitor center. LBJ Park  30.27462, -98.41003

Texas Hill Country Wildflowers!

We meandered our way to central Texas to view the eclipse with the added bonus of a visiting my brother and sister-in-law. Their house is on the eastern edge of what was the path of totality. Should have been pretty good viewing! But nope - cloud cover for 99% of the event. We did have a nice visit though- thanks Dan and Chris!

We also happened to hit the wildflower bloom in the hill country. Since 1934 the Texas highway department has delayed mowing until the wildflower season is over and the seeds have dried. They also sow 30,000 pounds of wildflower seed each year. So many flowers! Mostly bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, mini sunflowers, and Indian blanket but at least ten more varieties were scattered among them.  Wildflowers  Hill Country

Grace Museum

The museum is housed in the 1909 Hotel Grace which was built for rail travelers. The ballroom has been restored and a few exhibits feature the hotel history. The changing exhibits focus on the history of Abilene and Texas art and artists. The history theme when we visited was 1920s Abilene; the art was Texas landscapes. There's also a wonderful Art Space with lots of hands-on activities for kids. 

Although not part of the museum, don't miss the Storybook Sculptures in Everman Park on the opposite side of the street. The sculptures in the park are mostly Doc Seuss characters. More sculptures located near the museum - Map. Another group of sculptures are on the grassy berm between 1st Street and the railroad tracks. These are hard to see because there isn't a sidewalk on that side of the street - Map 

The museum is accessible. Everman Park is accessible. Most of the curb cuts are in good condition.

The parking lot on the west side of the museum is large enough for vans and short RVs. Longer RVs can be parked in the free public lot two blocks west.  Museum 32.44972, -99.73492

Buffalo Gap Historic Village

The tiny town of Buffalo Gap, Texas, named after the migration route of buffalo, was the county seat of Taylor County from 1878 to 1883. It was supplanted by Abilene and the three year old stone courthouse sat empty. In 1956 Ernie Wilson, a local rancher, bought the courthouse, opened a museum, and added two more historic buildings. The next owners added even more buildings. Today the historic village is a non-profit with eighteen buildings constructed from1875 to 1925 and furnished with period items. Two are in their original location and rest have been relocated from other areas. The cookshack, art gallery, and wagon barn are all new construction. 

The website indicates that accessibility is limited but we decided to give it a try. The first problem is a very steep ramp to the admissions building. The next building, the Hill House, also has a steep ramp, plus a step into the house. Every building with the exception of the wagon barn and the art gallery ( which has a heavy door) either has a steep ramp, steps, or both. Even the ramp at the chapel. which is used for weddings, is dangerously steep. The train depot has a good ramp but a high threshold. The paths are surfaced with loose gravel or are over rough ground. This is not an accessible site. 

RVs can be parked across the street from the admissions building. Village  32.28632, -99.82781

 

Sea Bee Park

With only three sites this little campground fills fast. The sites were all occupied when we arrived so we camped in a pull off near the boat ramp. There are also places to park under the trees near the water. Two sites have covered picnic shelters. Restrooms and a dumpster are located 1/4 mile away at the picnic area.  

The ground is hard packed so rolling is easy. The tables have extended tops. A short paved trail provides access to a closer view of the water.

The sites are large enough for any RV. Park  32.54253, -99.70892