Thursday, October 12, 2023: We checked into our cozy Airbnb in Austin, TX at 5:30 p.m., after our long drive from Jefferson and through Austin’s insane traffic. Our Airbnb was on the west side of Austin, so we had to drive through the entire city at rush hour, which was no fun. The Airbnb was the tiniest Airbnb we’ve ever encountered but it had everything a person could ever want in it.
It was too much of a pain to drive into Austin for dinner, so we ate some of our Buc’ee’s chipimiento spread on crackers and Mike made us Vodka tonics. We enjoyed these on the picnic table on our deck. The owner of the Airbnb, Michelle, was leaving the next morning to meet some family in Seattle to watch the Taylor Swift Eras Tours. She chatted with us quite a long while. They had an Airstream on the property also and she told us we could watch the sunset from the Airstream’s picnic table, which we did, but it wasn’t anything special.
Our tiny Airbnb in Austin
Our tiny Airbnb in Austin
Mike at the picnice table having Buc’ee’s chipimiento spread on crackers
Friday, October 13: On Friday morning, our only day in Austin, we slept in a bit in our cozy Airbnb, so we didn’t get the earliest start. We finally arrived at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Museum & Library at 10:00. I’ve only visited one other presidential library and museum, the George W. Bush one in Dallas in 2016. I like them because they show the president amidst the popular culture and the important national and world events during the time he was in office. The museum shows all the challenges the president and the country faced during that era.
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin, TX
Lyndon Baines Johnson (August 27, 1908 – January 22, 1973), often referred to by his initials LBJ, served as the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He became president after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, under whom he had served as vice president from 1961 to 1963.
Johnson began his presidency with near-universal support, but his approval declined throughout his presidency as the public became frustrated with both the Vietnam War and domestic unrest. Johnson initially sought to run for re-election but ultimately withdrew his candidacy for many reasons, especially the toll the presidency was taking on his health. Johnson returned to his Texas ranch, where he died in 1973.
Historians rank Johnson in the upper tier for his domestic policy achievements. His administration passed many major laws that made substantial gains in civil rights, health care, welfare, and education. Conversely, Johnson is strongly criticized for his foreign policy, namely presiding over an escalated American involvement in the Vietnam War.
Campaign poster: Kennedy for President with Johnson as VP
JFK and LBJ on the Wall of Portraits
Nov. 22, 1963: JFK Assassinated
Newspaper headlines of Kennedy’s assassination
“President Dead”
Johnson sworn in after Kennedy’s death
Mike gets the Johnson Treatment
The Johnson Treatment: He used a mixture of charm, intimidation, logic, kindness, cajolery, and horse-trading to get the deals he wanted. He often moved close to make his point.
Photos of President Johnson
Johnson lived and breathed politics from an early age. He started as a Congressional Aide in 1931.
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
Popular culture in the 1960s
LBJ proposed many programs to protect the environment
Integration in Little Rock, Arkansas
Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschchev embraces Cuban Prime Minister Fiedl Castro on September 23, 1960
Communist China’s invasion of Tibet in 1959
Fear of Nuclear War: Atomic bomb test in Nevada in April 1955
The Greensboro Sit-in at F.W. Woolworth’s on Feb 2, 1960
Soviet Fires Earth Satellite Into Space
Two of Johnson’s greatest legacies
LBJ and the Civil Rights Movement
Civil Rights Movement
Legislation created Medicare and Medicaid in 1965
LBJ’s Goals
LBJ’s Legislation
Before he left office, his programs began to transform America
Challenges in Latin America
World problems in 1964
Six Day War
Johnson inherited the Vietnam War. He tried to find a middle way – to win the war without drawing in Communist China or the Soviet Union, or to avoid defeat long enough to negotiate a peace with North Vietnam.
Johnson Hints New Vietnam Escalation
Inside the Viet Cong
By mid-1967, Americans killed or wounded in Vietnam reached nearly 70,000. Johnson felt increasingly hopeless: “I can’t win and I can’t get out.”
On March 31, 1968, Johnson announced he wouldn’t run again. He feared the toll that Vietnam and the Office would exacerbate his heart problems.
Johnson announces he won’t seek reelection.
LBJ’s Farewell
The Oval Office during Johnson’s presidency
Lady Bird’s office
LBJ’s LImousine. He ordered this after he left the presidency in 1968. To meet the Secret Service requirements, it was equipped with television, radio, a telephone, and other security features. It is not armored, bulletproof or bombproof.
Archives in the LBJ Library
Austin skyline seen from the LBJ Library
There was a special exhibit on Lady Bird Johnson which we also enjoyed, “Lady Bird: Beyond the Wildflowers.” We learned how much she loved the Caddo Lake area where she grew up; we had just visited the lake on Thursday. She was well educated, with 2 Bachelors degrees: one in history and one in journalism. She bankrolled Johnson’s Congressional campaign with a modest inheritance she’d received and helped promote him in many ways. She initiated the Highway Beautification Act. She is one of the most highly regarded American First Ladies by historians.
The elegant Lady Bird, whose real name was Claudia Alta Taylor. She wore this gown at a reception for HM KIng Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand in 1968.
Alice Tittle, the Taylor family’s nanny, described young Claudia as “pretty as a lady bird,” and the name stuck.
Her family’s store: T.J. Taylor: Dealer in Everything
Lady Bird’s calendar from the 1932-1933 academic school year shows her busy social life at the University of Texas at Austin
She felt University taught her that “one new horizon only opens the door to still another.”
Lady Bird at Caddo Lake, “which became very much a part of my childhood. It was a very scenic, interesting, wild, haunted place, not unlike the Everglades of Florida.”
In 1940, LBJ gave Lady Bird her first movie camera. She filmed their travels on the campaign trail for Johnson’s Senate run in 1941.
The Johnson’s honeymooned in Mexico.
In 1943, they purchased their first home in Austin.
Portrait of Lynda, Lady Bird and Luci in December 1947
In addition to buying and running the KTBC radio station, Lady Bird also tended to the running of LBJ’s congressional office during his time serving in WWII.
The Johnsons spent weeks at their ranch in the Texas hill country while LBJ recovered from a serious heart attack in 1955.
Johnson for President
The gown worn by Lady Bird Johnson for inaugural celebrations on January 20, 1961.
Lady Bird in her inaugural gown.
The Johnsons at the LBJ Ranch in 1959.
The Johnsons undertook a trip to Southeast Asia in 1962. Two separate trips included among them the Phillipines, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.
On her 5-day Whistle Stop Tour, she made appearances in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana and Kentucky.
First Lady of the Environment
During her time in the White House, Lady Bird and her environmental initatives were popular subjects for political cartoonists.
Lady Bird planting a cherry tree at the National Cherry Blossom Festival at Tidal Basin, Washington, D.C.
She worked tirelessly on Headstart to give children good education with attention to health care. The Head Start program was established in 1965 as part of Johnson’s War on Poverty.
Lady Bird visited Kentucky in May 1964 to bring national attention to the plight of American poverty.
Lady Bird had a director’s chair with the title “First Lady” while filming her award-winning TV program: “A Visit to Washington with Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, on Behalf of a More Beautiful America”
Lady Bird’s outfit while filming
Lady Bird and her love of wildflowers
We had lunch at Chi’lantro BBQ, with its famous kimchi fries (fries, caramelized kimchi, shredded cheese, onions, cilantro, magic sauce, sriracha & sesame seeds) and a Korean Esquites Bowl. Yum!
Chi’lantro BBQ
Korean Esquites Bowl: spicy chicken, brown rice, black beans, guacamole, cilantro, onions, pickled veggies, double Korea esquites, tortilla chips, salsa roja and lime juice
kimchi fries from Chi’lantro BBQ
We then went by the Texas State Capitol. Designed in 1881 and built from 1882-1888, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. It is 302.64 feet tall, making it the 6th tallest state capitol and one of several taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Texas State Capitol
sculpture near the Texas State Capitol
Texas State Capitol
Texas State Capitol
Texas State Capitol
Texas State Capitol
Texas State Capitol
We visited the Mexic-Arte Museum which aims to educate and enrich the community through Latino art and culture. Most of the exhibits revolved around Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Mexic-Arte has been a driving force for uniquely Austin celebrations of this day for 40 years.
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum
Before heading to South Congress Avenue (SOCO), in downtown Austin, we stopped for an iced coffee and lemonade and a scone at the Hideout Award-Winning Coffee House and Improv Theatre. I loved the old theater signs we found downtown.
Hideout Award-Winning Coffee House and Improv Theatre
Hideout Award-Winning Coffee House and Improv Theatre
Hideout Award-Winning Coffee House and Improv Theatre
view of downtown Austin
Paramount Theatre
State Theatre
We finished our day in Austin by going for a stroll through South Congress Avenue (SOCO). The neighborhood is cute and quirky with lots of interesting shops, clothing boutiques, cafes, & restaurants. We dropped into Allen’s Boots where I would have liked to have found a pair of cowboy boots, but I couldn’t find any I liked. I got myself some early birthday presents at Paper Work.
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
Birds Barbershop on South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
South Congress Avenue (SOCO)
We stopped into Guero’s Taco Bar for a margarita and a tequila. Then we went to the old-time Austin diner, Magnolia Cafe. There, Mike had a jalapeño cheeseburger & I had breakfast for dinner: Eggs Zapatino. A yummy way to end our time in Austin.
Guero’s Taco Bar
Guero’s Taco Bar
Damas at Guero’s Taco Bar
Guero’s Taco Bar
Guero’s Taco Bar
Magnolia Cafe
Magnolia Cafe
me at Magnolia Cafe
Mike’s Jalapeño Cheeseburger
Eggs Zapatino – scrambled eggs on a toasted English muffin smothered in queso and topped with avocado 🥑, all served with home fries
Magnolia Cafe
Magnolia Cafe
We returned to our Airbnb, sat outside on the porch and drank vodka tonics and I wrote in my journal. I’ve taken to buying stickers from everyplace I go, but after I put in the stickers, I hardly have space to write. Lol 😂!
writing in my journal on the porch of our tiny Airbnb
a journal with too many stickers!
Steps: 8,752; Miles 3.71. Weather mostly sunny; Hi 90°, Lo 59°. Drove 41.1 miles.
~ wander.essence ~ 
Thanks for the great tour and a walk down memory lane. I really need got start using Air BNB
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. So, have you spent time in Austin, Alice? We usually enjoy using Airbnb. The only place we didn’t on our latest trip is because of warnings of dangers in Colombia.
LikeLike
It’s not somewhere I’d head deliberately, Cathy, but the presidential stuff is interesting. Love the elegance of Lady Bird- the woman behind the man, hey?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been fascinated by both the presidential libraries I’ve seen, Jo. Sadly we’ve missed a number of these like the JFK one in Boston (why didn’t we think of it while there??) and the Jimmy Carter one in Atlanta (maybe we can go there when we visit Alex and the family in Atlanta in early June). We also missed the Gerald Ford one in Grand Rapids, MI when we were there because it was closed the day we were there. Anyway, I love especially seeing the ones who were president in my lifetime because I can remember many of the events and the popular culture. I’ll certainly never go to a Trump one though! Lady Bird was really an amazing woman and did a lot for the country between her beautification projects, Head Start and, you’re right, being the woman behind the man! Austin wasn’t our favorite place on this trip but I’m glad we stopped for a brief visit.
LikeLike
🤗🩷
LikeLiked by 1 person
A jam-packed day! The presidential library sounds particularly interesting.
LikeLike
It was very interesting for sure, Anabel. I remember as a kid my dad hated Johnson (Dad was a Republican through and through), and I thought him rather brash and uncouth, but he actually did a lot of good things for the country. I found his presidential museum fascinating.
LikeLike
Interesting about your dad, I wonder if he would still be a Republican now!
LikeLike
My dad was a staunch Republican (& a Trump supporter) until the day he died in December of 2022. It was one of many reasons why we were not close. I had to grow up listening to his diatribes, which probably helped turn me into a Democrat.
LikeLike
Oh well, his politics did some good then!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess! Ugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You managed to pack a lot into that single day. The presidential library would very interesting.
LikeLike
Well, we only had the one day (due to poor planning) but we actually found it was enough to see what we wanted in Austin. It’s just another big city, although a very liberal one in a state of conservative cities. It has some character for sure. We really loved the presidential library.
LikeLike
Hi Cathy!! Thank you for this post! I found this very interesting! Austin is on my bucket list but for all the great music more than anything else!
Being Canadian, it is to me strange that my very first living memory as a person was watching JFK’s funeral at age 3 from under the ironing board, sitting on the floor [as we did then to watch TV], watching the funeral live in black and white, while my mother was ironing sheets and bedding.
The quick trip through 60s culture made me realize also how very lucky we were of that generation to remember all that although I was a bit too young to enjoy it fully at the time being born in 1960. My very first gifted LP records as a kid who grew up with music in the house included records by the Beach Boys, the Beatles and Elvis, well before 1970 and then started noticing Donny Osmond and Michael Jackson. How lucky were we, eh?
What a shame that there are people who do not know any of their music or what it was like to watch a great movie like Breakfast at Tiffany’s or the great B/W movies of the late 50s and early 60s and the TV programes we grew up with despite having only 3 TV channels and maybe 2 movie theatres! We had the best of times.
And now it is the worst of times. We have terrible “leaders” like Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau, and First Ladies who contribute nothing whatsoever, if we ever see them. We have politicians who are in it for power and money only and how much grifting they can do with lobbyists.
Man I am glad I am on my way out because I do not want to imagine what the world will be like in 25 or 30 years at the rate it is going, if we even have that much time left. We did not know that the incredible Age of Aquarius, the Age of Promise, and Peace and Environmental Responsibility and Happiness, which we were promised was going to be so short and it was over before we realized it I think, for some of us anyway. God help anyone born in this century. They truly have been short-changed.
Thanks for this great post Cathy, and thanks for letting me stand on my soap box! I still hope to make it to Austin for the Tex-Mex and Texas Blues music one day! P.S. That airbnb looked pretty much perfect btw. Like a tiny house! All the best to you and Mike, Mona Lisa xx
“To know the road ahead, ask someone coming back.” – Anonymous
LikeLike
Hi Mona Lisa, I hope all is well with you. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and that Austin is on your bucket list for the music. I hope you can make it there one day. I was on the fence about going back to Texas at all because of their divisive and horrid political scene, but I swore that once I left there, I would never return. We didn’t have enough time in Austin, but I tire easily of big cities and was anxious to get out into the countryside and to smaller towns.
I really enjoyed seeing the Johnson Presidential Library and being reminded of the culture of the 1960s. We were just children, but of course I remember it all. What a memory you have of sitting under an ironing board while watching news of the Kennedy assassination. I remember getting out of school early and coming home to our tiny little ranch house in Newport News to find my mom weeping inconsolably in front of the black & white TV. Strangely enough I also went through this on 9/11/2001, when my sons were 8 and 10; they came home early from school to find me crying in front of the color TV.
The leaders of the world are becoming increasingly craven, greedy and power-hungry and it seems like huge numbers of people are actually supportive of authoritarian figures like Putin, Trump and too many other despicable leaders. Like you, I dread what will happen to the world if this trajectory continues, and it seems nothing short of a miracle will stop it. I don’t want to die anytime soon, but each day makes me more fearful of what our world is becoming. Honestly, I’ve told Mike that if Trump gets elected again, I will not want to live in this country any more, and I’ll be looking to move to Mexico, or anywhere really. I hate the fact that so many people here can support a criminal and insurrectionist with no morals whatsoever.
And btw, that Airbnb was definitely built on the tiny house concept, but for being so small, it really did have everything a traveler could want or need.
Thanks for your comment and sorry it took me so long to respond! Take care and keep the faith, if possible. xx
LikeLike