Mooch Docking at John and Jeannie's in Trinity, TX
We left Waveland, MS and headed west. We made one overnight pitstop on the way to Mark's brother John's home in Trinity, TX. They own a home on a feedwater "creek" that feeds into Lake Livingston. The creek was actually the size of a fairly large lake. This was our first visit to their home in Trinity. We were so warmly welcomed into their home and had a fabulous weeklong visit with them.
Meet Digger, he is an African spurred tortoise, also called the sulcata tortoise, which is a species of tortoise inhabiting the southern edge of the Sahara desert in Africa. It is the largest mainland species of tortoise in the world, and the third-largest in the world. It is the last remaining species in its genus, Centrochelys, with the five other species in the family already extinct. Digger has been part of their family for nearly 20 years now. He is just one of the many animals who call their house home.
Karma was talking to Digger, however, neither was very impressed with the other. Karma could not figure out what to think about Digger, so he jumped into Digger's pen to get a closer inspection. We learned Digger is a big fan of mangoes.
A bald Eagle is sitting in a tree while overlooking the water on John and Jeannie's property. The eagle's nest is only a short distance up the shoreline.
HEARTS Veteran's Museum of Texas is a very unique museum dedicated to those who served in our military over the course of US history. It pays tribute more to the people who served than the battles or the wars. After touring the museum, Mark questioned the staff in regards to the Cold War. There was no mention of the Cold War (which Mark served in the Navy for 12 years during that period) any where in the museum. The Curator informed us the Cold war was never a declared war and therefore was purposely omitted from the museum. He challenged the curator when the Korean war, Vietnam War, Iraq war or Afghanistan war were declared. Obviously, she was unable to give an answer. The Cold war lasted from 1948 to 1989. The Korean war is often referred to as the forgotten war. Mark's personal belief is that the Cold War is the forgotten war.
Mark's father was wounded in New Guinea, which was something his dad never discussed. This is some of the rare information we have found in reference to where he was wounded. Hindsight is 20/20. His dad died suddenly soon after Mark enlisted in the Navy. We would love to go back in time and discuss so many of his life's experiences, including his time served in the military.
The Texas Prison Museum is located next to the Veteran's Museum.
The non-profit museum features the history of the prison system in Texas (Huntsville is the home of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and several prisons including the Ellis Unit ,which previously housed death row, and Huntsville Unit which houses the execution chamber). There are many different artifacts in the museum, including an electric chair named "Old Sparky" which was formerly used from 1924 to 1964 as the primary means of execution.
David Crosby was one of Mark's favorite musicians. He died Jan 18, 2023, about 2 weeks before we toured this museum. His Texas arrest and incarceration were a point of interest in the museum.
The Texas Prison Rodeo was a rodeo and an annual celebration event for inmates in the Texas Prison System, held in a stadium in Huntsville, Texas. The events included bareback basketball, bronco riding, bull riding, calf roping, and wild cow milking.
Marshall Lee Simmons, the general manager of the prison system, started the rodeo in 1931. The rodeo originated in the Eastham Unit. Johnny Cash played his first-ever concert at the Texas Prison Rodeo in 1956. Women participated in the rodeo until 1981, when they were moved from the Goree Unit in Huntsville to the prisons in Gatesville. In 1986, structural problems with the rodeo arena caused the facility to close. The rodeo ended because the state began getting money from the federal government for educational and recreational programs for the inmates. Texas no longer needed to raise money to buy educational and recreational materials. The state had been suffering from an economic recession, and the Texas Legislature was not willing to spend $500,000 to repair the prison rodeo stadium. Several unsuccessful attempts to restart the rodeo occurred in the 1990's.
On display were many items crafted by inmates during their incarceration. Some were actually very talented, as evidenced by this saw blade painted by a prisoner. The saw blade was previously used in the lumber yard at the Huntsville prison.
Various wooden items were manufactured by the prisoners of the Texas prison population. The items were then sold to the public to help fund the prison system.
George Herbert Bush Presidential Library
The George
H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum was dedicated on November 6, 1997 as the presidential library and
burial site of George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United
States (1989–1993), and his wife Barbara Bush. Located on a 90-acre site
on the west campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas,
the library is one of 13 administered by the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA).
Situated
on a plaza adjoining the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center and the George
Bush School of Government and Public Service, the library is administered by
NARA under the provisions of the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955.
The
mission of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library is to preserve and make
available for research the official records, personal papers, and artifacts of
President George H.W. Bush, to support democracy, promote civic education, and
increase historical understanding of U.S. national experience through the life
and times of George H.W. Bush.
When we visited the George H.W. Bush presidential library, there was a Nelson Mandela traveling exhibit being displayed in honor of his work and accomplishments during Black History Month.
The presidential limousine was referred to as the Beast.
Zapata Offshore was the Oil Company George Bush founded and operated until he became Director of the CIA. George Bush accepted the Chairmanship of the CIA after Gerald Ford promised Congress that he would not make George his running mate for the 1976 election.
Lisa was sitting with George Bush for an afternoon chat. He obviously found her charming and very interesting as evidenced by his smile and attentiveness. He could not take his gaze off her. She has met a multitude of famous people on our travels.
The entrance to the display on China was in honor of his position as the Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China.
The Berlin wall was erected in 1961. This actual section was removed during the freedom movement in Germany in 1989, during Bush's presidency.
Lisa was hanging out in the Oval Office.
This gate to Kuwait was presented to George Bush after Operation Desert Storm.
George Bush was a boating fanatic. This is the power boat he kept in Kennebunkport for his personal use.
We discovered George Bush, who was always seen in business suits, had his fun by wearing crazy socks. This was a sample of the some of his sock collection.
George Bush and Bill Clinton became friends after Bill Clinton left office and they were jointly involved in many charitable drives.
Burial site of George and Barbara Bush. Their child, Pauline Robinson Bush, who they lost to leukemia in 1953 was reinterred in 2000 at the Presidential Library.
Lisa was standing with George Bush in the courtyard enjoying the Texas sunshine.
Karma was hanging out on a couch at John and Jeannie's. He came in and made himself at home. Jeannie earned many brownie points when she went out and bought a bag of treats for him. He is now her fan for life. This couch was specifically designed for their parents during the 1960's. Their name and date of construction was sewn into the upholstery.
It was so amazing to be able to visit with John and Jeannie this week. The men played endless hours of cribbage on the back porch overlooking the water. The women shared their best money saving practices with each other. We were able to meet all of their various animals- including the pig, tortoises, birds, deer, cats and koi fish in the pond they created. She feeds many of the local wild critters. Jeannie spoiled us with fabulous meals.
