We knew this would be a good stop, since our friends Kevin and Anna live in Woodway, but it just got better. Once we got set up, we drove over to Kevin & Anna's home to pick up all the things we'd bought online and had shipped to them. While we were there, we met Kevin's dad, reacquainted ourselves with Nolan, Olivia and Emery, and had dinner. The next day we stopped by Leal's for a breakfast burrito and their spectacularly good green sauce, then headed out to the Mammoth Site – soon to be part of the National Park System. This is an amazing place – after a rain in 1978 a couple of local boys were roaming the woods and found some bones. They went to see a zoologist at Baylor and told led him back to the location. There had been more rain and more bones had been uncovered. To date, 15 different mammoth skeletons have been found from two different events some 15,000 years apart (50,000 and 65,000 years ago). A large, climate-controlled building has been erected over the excavated bones to aid in slowing the deterioration and more excavations are in the future. It is a breathtaking collection and our docent was wonderful – we were lucky enough to be the only ones on the tour, and we peppered him with questions. We can't wait to return in a few years and see the additions to this burgeoning museum.
From the Mammoth Site, we picked up some groceries and I got a much needed haircut.
Our next excursion saw us at the Waco-Cameron Park Natural Zoo Habitat. The admission price was under $15 each and well worth more. The zoo sits on a 52 acre site and is obviously run by energetic folks who have the animals well-being at heart. We were amazed at how beautifully the different areas were landscaped to make secluded homes for the animals, with lots of waterways throughout. What an amazing job they have done.
From the zoo, we headed out to Homestead Heritage Traditional Crafts Village. While there we had a wonderful lunch – Rich had a delicious burger and I had a poblano bisque and a salad with lime-cilantro dressing. Much of the food served was grown on the homestead and is organic, and the folks who prepare it were first rate. After our wonderful meal, we visited the general store, market, and cheese shop. We bought some of the best brie and bleu cheese we've ever eaten and a marvelous pressed, dried fruit bar that went well with the cheese, baguette, and red wine we had later. We wimped out before we visited the pottery, woodworking, and blacksmith shops, or the gristmill and fiber craft barns. We'll have to return next time we're in the area – it will give us a good excuse to visit the café again.
We had Kevin and family over for dinner one night and were happy that our friend Ryan was able to come by from Dallas. He had planned on spending the night, but was called out of town on business at the last minute. We had a great time with our first two “adopted” sons from my stint at the University of Florida and look forward to seeing them all again.
We had to make a stop at Rudy's – wonderful green chili stew and BBQ chicken – and found Katie's Frozen Custard. The best frozen custard we've had since New York (and maybe including NY!).
Another great stop and we were sorry to have to leave, but if we're to make it to Oregon and Washington this time, we've got to get a move on!
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