Random musings on Texas

So this afternoon, I'm heading home from Texas but before I leave I wanted to update you on a few things. No, I never saw the President and yes, it was a pretty quiet weekend. Yes, I did see the Crawford Jail which consisted of four metal bunks in a tin shed with various rodents running around. I can confirm that it's been at least 7 decades since they've had a visitor. I'm not sure if Crawford has an Otis-the-town-drunk or not but if they do, he's been staying somewhere else.

And I did get to go shopping downtown. Both stores. I felt like I needed to contribute to Crawford's economy in some way because nobody else is here except the media. However, I already have enough stuff that says "Western White House" on it. There's only so many coasters one girl can have! But I did find a few things that I can give away as presents. Please don't laugh in my face when you get any "WWH" merchandise from me in the future. Don't worry, I didn't purchase any of the belt buckles the size of Texas.

The highlight of my free time here has been my trip to a ranch near the President's ranch. We have an agreement where we pay this couple (the Bradfords) some money and they let us try to get pictures of the Pres from their land. It's right next door but in Texas that doesn't mean all that close but it's about as near as anyone can actually get. The Bushes are really, really secluded when they are at their ranch. Anyway, my friend Mark was driving me through the Bradford's property and I discovered why the President has been clearing brush for the past six years (there's a TON of brush and the Pres's ranch is 1600 acres.) I also found that Texas is not really all that flat and it is much prettier than what I have previously given credit to. The wildflowers were absolutely beautiful! I even saw a few of the famous Blue Bonnets. We also saw some canyons and cliffs and ponds and things that changed my mind about Texas. I forgot my camera at the school but I made Mark take my picture because the wildflowers were so pretty.



When I get home, I'm going to have to fast. And not for spiritual reasons. I've done nothing but eat this weekend. These Texans know how to eat! My body is getting used to actually eating three absolutely enormous meals a day (plus the free ice cream.) I seriously think I've gained 5 pounds in three days. I even skipped going out last night to the Hog Creek Icehouse Bar and Saloon (which I'm sure would have been the absolutely ultimate Texas experience!) I just need to get back to DC and back to a normal eating routine.

Also, one final note. Thanks for the messages about my blog. At the suggestion of a good friend, I am making the promise that I won't be one of those bloggers who blog every day for a week and then forget about it for months and years at a time. Of course I will slack off from time to time but I will certainly promise to hit the highlights. Seriously, I don't have that interesting of a life, just a fairly unique job. But the good news is that weird stuff happened to me before I got my job and will continue to occur long after I've moved on from this experience!