February 26 - Driving to Austin

Going against everything we know is right, we took a side trip to a fort.  Fort Davis, in Fort Davis, Texas is one of the best preserved forts in the west.  It is located in way West Texas near Pecos.  The Fort is well preserved and gives a good idea of what life was like in the later 1800's on the frontier.

This did inspire some conversation as to why the army needed to defend the stage coaches that were traveling through against Indian attacks.  We have seen several American Indian sites and are getting the idea about what it must have been like to have settlers come in and act like they own the place.

The Fort was interesting, still.  

Doug tried out one of the soldier's bunks, and determined he would rather be dead than have to attempt to sleep regularly in such.

The enlisted men's bunkhouse

Out two little lieutenants, guarding some unknown building on the fort grounds.  Lieutenant Joya is having a hard time keeping a straight face.

The is a shot of the ruin of one of the barracks.  At several times, the fort was abandoned and then burned, only to be repopulated and somewhat restored.

These little critters shared our campground with us.  The locals call them Javalinas; they are more widely known as Peccaries.  The girls christened them "Fish Hogs", which seems to suit them well.

This state park had a large population of resident White Tail deer.  They often wandered through our camp as well.

That evening, Doug and Jody walked up the ridge trail to where we could see the fort, while the girls scootered about the camp.  This was a lovely stopping-over spot which we all enjoyed immensely.  After taking a good look about our campsite, Jordan said "I like Texas!".

February 26 - Driving to Austin