Jenn Dolari @dolari@driveinsaturday.org

The final schools: Willow City and Crabapple

Inside the totally restored Rheingold Teacherage

The Rheingold School and Teacherage

The Cave Creek School

The Albert, Junction and Nebgen Schools.

The Luckenbach and South Grape Creek Schools.

I had one last day in Texas, and I'd seen most everything I felt safe enough to see. So I asked the folks what THEY wanted to see. Dad wanted to see the Gillespie County schools. So we went, and saw as many as we could given the constraints of the day.

They'll do the ones they missed some other time.

Rural schools are fascinating. Imagine walking miles to your nearest school, all grades in one room, learning your three Rs, and if you were lucky more (only need the three Rs for working the fields).

Or being a school teacher. A young woman, coming out to the country to teach, staying in a small house for the week next to the school before heading back to town for the weekend. Often in the middle of nowhere.

It's a very different world we live in 140 years later.

Here are the Muesbach Creek School, and the Grapetown School and Teacherage.

The fairly well cared for ghost town of Morris Ranch. Once a thoroughbred horse raising powerhouse, now a collection of weathered but still standing buildings.

LBJ Ranch at the temporarily rushing Perdanales River.

Kitty Not For Sale

"Out in Luckenbach, Texas, ain't nobody feelin' no pain."

Well, I've started packing for the trip back to Seattle. I've done everything I wanted to. And most importantly, done everything I needed to with my parents.

For the first time in a long time, I feel I'm going home with nothing left for me to do when I come back. And I will be back. April I'm hoping.

Say it ain't so, Buffy. Say it ain't so....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVteuW2vXbk

The good news is that I can get good fajitas tacos in Washington. They're just triple the price, and not convenient to get to-go....

Dear Pacific Northwest,

After three weeks in Texas, I'm noticing a distinct lack of cream gravy, forty-four ounce drinks, Texas toast and guacamole enhancements in your drive-through restaurants. Please rectify this.

I am not a crackpot.

--Jennifer Dolari, Imperatrix in Exile, People's Democratic Socialist Federated Republic of Texas (Reformed)

The Last Whataburger. Still Life. 2023

Going out with a literal bang.....