The last day of the trip started early. On the agenda were the final two stops prior to our turning for home. Unfortunately we would only make one of the two since time required us to cancel the latter. But the stop we did make turned out to be a great success.
As we drove through the Texas Hill Country I reflected on how much of the state we had seen. From the Piney Woods and Spanish moss of East Texas and Brazoria, to flat farm land and palm trees of the Gulf coast, and passing at last over the high hill country, we traveled over a thousand miles of Texas geography. This state is truly is like a whole other country. like a whole other republic.
The final visit of our trip took place at the Chester Nimitz National Museum of the Pacific War, in Fredericksburg Texas. It is named for the Admiral who was born in the town and is thus its most famous resident. The facility is surprisingly large for a smallish town like Fredericksburg. It (the museum) is contained in three buildings the largest of which is the George H. W. Bush Gallery. This site was another first for us. I was amazed at how much information and how many artifacts were contained in a moderately sized building. When I say moderately sized, I mean compared to someplace like the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. The Gallery alone is actually quite large, (about six acres I’m told).
The Nimitz Museum was a bit of a sacrifice for us being that it left us with a long drive, and necessitated us cancelling our visit to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco. That is also a great little museum and much, much more than meets the eye from the outside. Despite the long drive home and the cancellation, Fredericksburg was a great stop. Some of the students named it as a high point of the trip. It is certainly a stop that will be included in future years.
The Tour of Texas has now completed its seventh year! Each trip has been just a bit different. Hopefully they will continue to be an exciting and unique part of the learning experience at King’s Academy. For more information Chester Nimitz National Museum of the Pacific War, visit their web site at http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/index.asp or call their office at (830) 997-8600.
