Lessons in Conservation

Jeanne, the conservator hired by LYJO, arrived for a two-week work session, and we began the job of cleaning and packing the multitude of items in the Texas White House. We started with the ceramics and learned the proper conservation techniques for handling these items.

Jack had arrived with Jeanne, and I was in awe of the secure way he packed some of the most fragile items. I learned how to wrap the plates and then moved on to wrapping Mrs. Johnson’s costume jewelry. In the meantime, Tim was cleaning and packing all the framed photographs that had hung throughout the house, as well as searching for answers to any questions about the catalog record.

Wrapping Plates and Jewelry with Jack

Cleaning and Wrapping Framed Items and Playing Computer Guru

It was very cool to have such an “up close and personal” look at the Johnson’s items. Tim’s brother had asked if we would be handling LBJs underwear. No, but I did deal with his toothbrush and other toiletry items.

I also spent much of my time photographing those items that had never been photographed for the catalog record. Then, in order to create a snapshot of how the house looked before being packed away, I photographed each room from all angles. 

Photographing Items from the Texas White House

Photographing Individual Rooms

I learned so much about conservation from Jeanne and Jack, and Tim and I loved working with them and with Niki. Niki was always there with a smile and a question, “What can I do for you?” What a treasure!

Tim, Niki, and Sarah (and Mrs. Johnson)

Touring the LBJ Ranch

Tim and I had previously visited the LBJ Ranch when we spent several months in nearby Kerrville while full-timing in our RV. Since we’ll be working here, we wanted to take the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with this historic property.

The LBJ Ranch is where LBJ was born, lived, died, and was buried. Mrs. Johnson continued to live here part-time after the President’s death in 1973.

Two of the major buildings at the Ranch include the Texas White House, where we will be spending much of our time, and the former hanger, which is now the visitor center. Other buildings are scattered throughout the property.

The Ranch is still a working ranch, and I believe it is still one of only two National Park units with that distinction. We loved having the cows among us.

The Texas White House

The Hanger

Air Force One-Half

Reconstructed Birthplace

Grandparents' Farmhouse

Who Are You Looking At! - We Have the Right-of-Way

Hats and More Hats

We started work at LYJO on January 3, after several orientations/ briefings at headquarters. Our first project was to photograph approximately 82 hats and their boxes. These were hats that LBJ gave away as gifts, and the boxes are on display in the visitor center at the ranch.

"The Giving President"

Examples of Our Work Product

We are working at the LBJ Ranch, where our campsite is located, and the Secret Service Command Post is our “office.” The staff has been great, especially Niki, the Museum Technician whom we will be working with most closely.

Secret Service Command Post - Our Office

Searching for Propane in Texas

After a great two days of settling into our site at LYJO, things began to fall apart. We knew that freezing overnight temperatures were predicted, but we were not prepared. Our propane supply was low, and it was forecast to be below freezing for two nights, so we had to conserve. Our little electric heater could not keep up, and it was so very, very cold in the RV overnight.

We knew we had to get propane the next morning, but it was Sunday, and most places were closed. I called and found a Tractor Supply about 45 minutes away, and we headed there. I almost cried when they told me that they had sold out 30 minutes before we arrived. We scrambled to find another place, even farther away. We were eventually successful but ended up driving 154 miles altogether. What was to have been a relaxing Sunday turned out to be anything but that.

Arriving at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (LYJO)

We arrived at LYJO on Friday morning and were shown to the LBJ Ranch VIP campground, where we had our choice of three sites. What a nice setting, with mature trees and not much around except deer and cows. There is even a separate building with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator for our use. Those are very nice perks! Now, if we only had a shower, we’d really be set!

LYJO - Our Home for the Next Two Months

Our Volunteer RV Site at the LBJ Ranch

Since the RV was still winterized, we had way more to do to set up than usual. We had a few challenges, but eventually everything worked out. We decided to finish the rest of the chores tomorrow. I’m glad we have three days off before we must report to work on January 3.

Tim and I were very proud of ourselves with all that we accomplished on New Year’s Eve. We finished all the chores around the RV, Tim repaired a few things and installed the tool bag, I went back to Walmart for groceries and supplies, and I cleaned the shed with the washer and dryer. It was a productive day.

I never stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve, but I made an exception this year. At the stroke of midnight, Tim and I made a valiant effort to eat 12 grapes each, a Cuban good luck tradition. The grapes were huge, so we didn’t quite make it, but I think we should still reap a bit of good luck anyway. I had purchased a pair of yellow underwear at Walmart, and I wore those for prosperity. We have the rest of our good luck foods for tomorrow’s dinner.

Welcome to Texas

It was windy morning when we left Albuquerque on Tuesday, headed east and then southeast towards Texas. We also encountered a bit of blowing snow as we crossed the east slope of the Sandia Mountains, but the drive was mostly uneventful.

We crossed the state line into Texas and were surprised by the amount of cotton that had been planted there. We lost an hour as we crossed into the Central Time Zone, but we still made it to Lubbock by 5:00 pm.

Welcome to Texas

Wednesday was another windy day as we made our way southeast through Texas. We continued to see lots of fields of cotton that had recently been baled. Another surprising sight – lots of wind turbines. Cotton and wind turbines – both were totally unexpected. Another thing I noticed was the number of historical markers. We didn’t stop at any, but there must have been at least several dozen.

We finally arrived in Fredericksburg and were completely surprised by the number of tourists in town. We’ll probably wait to walk the streets until sometime next year when most of these folks have gone home. The weather was another surprise – record high temperatures – 80˚.

It was a long drive from Colorado, but we made it just fine.

Dashed Plans in Albuquerque

I’ve hit a few things on my bucket list so far on this trip – Christmas in Santa Fe and a night at La Fonda. My intention was to knock one more off the list before leaving Albuquerque.

I have always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon. I’ve tried at least three or four times in various states, and all rides have been cancelled. Before leaving Colorado, I had booked a ride with Rainbow Ryders for Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, while Tim and I were riding around town on Saturday, we received a call cancelling the trip because of weather. Not to worry – we rescheduled the ride for Monday afternoon.

Lou picked us up for breakfast on Monday, and we got to visit with him again. Ruth had flown to Las Vegas the previous afternoon to spend time with her siblings and their families. During breakfast, I received a phone call cancelling our rescheduled balloon ride. Drat! Add these cancellations to the rest! I don’t know if I’ll ever get up in the air!

Our hope to visit the Albuquerque Art and History Museum was also dashed when we found out it is closed on Mondays. Oh well. We did venture out and checked out Sawmill Market, a wonderful collection of small, local eateries.

Luckily, I was successful in one of the things I tried to do while we were in town. I had been able to visit Petroglyph National Monument while Tim stayed home to watch football on Sunday. I got my passport stamp and hiked one of the trails, searching on the rocks for petroglyphs. The wind was brutal, but I still had a great time.

Petroglyph National Monument - Rinconada Canyon

Although we didn’t get to do everything we wanted to do, our time in Albuquerque was a good one. We got to spend time with Ruth and Lou, we got to eat lots of New Mexican food, and I was able to visit a national park unit. We also had time to rest and take it easy after a rather hectic time trying to get the condo and RV ready to go.

We had picked up the RV earlier in the day and had moved it to the hotel parking lot, so we would be ready to head out in the morning.