Waco Cruise-WOW

This was a big day filled with lots of stuff are you ready?
It started out like any other June day with the full look and threat of rain. Oh wait, it was July not June anymore-so the deluge held off. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway you can never keep a good fart down, no matter how much air freshener you pour on. About 10 cars worth of folks met in Bryan, we wadded through the puddles, with dark clouds overhead and hooked up with a few more members up the road. The rain fell after we left town; we heard it was a gulley washer in College Station. Before long we arrived in Waco.
The sound of snapping bubbles was wafting through the air, we meandered out around and before we knew it we were at our first destination the Dr. Pepper Museum. A fascinating place, small but yet it held very interesting pharmacy stuff, bottling and brewing equipment. There was no group discount for the Old Farts Sports Car Club and don’t take pictures of the items in the gift shop. No, no don’t do it {you know who you are}. We strolled around viewing the various displays and watched an electronic “man” tell us about the invention of the fabulous concoction known as Dr. Pepper. There was a television screen with chairs in front so some old farts sat down for a look see. It wasn’t really a movie but instead those things they put between the movie scenes you know commercials. New ones, old ones, funny ones and even a couple of risqué ones {not XXX more like one X}. We moseyed along and found our selves at the fountain where you can purchase a small cup of handmade elixir from the jerk at the counter. As they say 10-2-4, then there goes the time.
Off we drove around the corner, where we found the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Very friendly folks there we got our tickets and just made the last film showing of the day. Its a great place with wonderful displays as well as personal memorabilia from families of past rangers. There were lots of history items and guns on show not to mention a few forensic devices. All Texans should visit there at least once if not more. Bronze sculptures and beautiful paintings added a bit of sophisticated décor to the otherwise rustic setting. Like I said very friendly folks, why one ranger even personally escorted me out the door. What a nice guy.
Our next segment took us on a drive through remarkable Cameron Park. The Brazos River was really full and running fast. What awesome views we found up on a hill. The lush green valley lay below with trees lining the swollen river. There were lots of people at the park families, children couples in love and site-seers like the Old Farts. All were enjoying the break from the June monsoons. Great news for some of the rest of you citizens of Texas, we seen it the Sun, it is STILL there and working just fine!
Right across the freeway from the Ranger Museum lay our third and final destination for the day—the beautiful Spirit of the Rivers paddle boat awaited. Previously arranged just for us for was a dinner cruise. The salad came out first followed by our choice of steak, grilled chicken or shrimp accompanied by tasty roasted potatoes and seasoned green-beans. My steak was moist and tender, the kids had chicken “it was the bomb”, I heard no complaints about the shrimp. All was prepared by a chief at the Brazos Belle. The service we received from the first mate and his helper was great. Although the river was flooding and running pretty fast we were still able to sail because our Captain and boat was chartered and certified with the Coast Guard. Captain Famous, a bearded man wearing red, white and blue tennis shoe boots, of good nature, entertained us with lively information of the area and good humor. Our Captain steered us up river against the current telling us of local history. The sites were awesome with the high waters flowing over the boat ramps, stairs and embankments. The slightly white capping water flowed down over fallen trees, not to worry our brave Captain was at the wheel. All too soon we had to head back, the Captain turned the paddle boat around, and now moving down river the pace was faster {not as fast as my car but faster}. We were all witness to an early moon rise and let me say what bright white moons they were. Our trustworthy Captain got us back to dock safely. Once ashore we were able to convince him to pose with us for a group photo thank you Captain Famous. When you get a chance you need to drop by for a ride on the river boat or better yet a dinner cruise, be sure to tell ‘em the Texas Old Farts Sports Car Club sent ya. Our thanks goes out to the paddle boat owner Tony, a fine trip indeed. For those of you that missed this trip, what a shame, it really was a good one.
A superb day, filled with grand Texas sites super companions, cool cars and awesome nature.
Hope to see ya in Decatur August 4th and 5th