Southwestern RV Trip – Days12 – San Antonio (Fredericksburg)

Monday was designated as Fredericksburg day and we made the 1½ hour drive north to arrive around noon and while the girls went shopping, I went to the museum.  The town has obviously turned itself into a tourists Mecca as it has about four blocks of shops and restaurants.  Located in the Texas Hill Country, it is the seat of Gillespie County and has a population of 10,000+.

Fredericksburg is the hometown of Chester Nimitz who commanded the US Navy in the pacific during WWII and was one of nine officers elevated to the five star rank during the war.  It was no surprise that NationalMuseum of the Pacific War was located there and it was comprised of the Nimitz Galley in the former Nimitz Hotel and the George H.W. Bush Galley which is a history of the war in the pacific.  I started in the Nimitz Gallery which was about the life of the man.

Between the two galleries is the Walk Of Honor and Memorial Wall which honors units, ships, and individuals who served in the war and the Plaza of the Presidents which honors the 10 US Presidents who served in the war.  

On the other side of the outdoor space is the Japanese Garden of Peace which was a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the United States, in honor of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.

Then it was into the Bush Gallery which detailed the war in the Pacific including events leading up to war.  

As an avid watcher of the History and American Hero’s Channels, I was pretty well versed in WWII so there weren't many surprises along the way.  I liked the models, the full sized equipment such as the last remaining Japanese mini sub, a PT Boat, and a full sized B-25 bomber, in the Doolittle Raid part of the museum – yes Jimmy and I are distant cousins.

I thought the museum was first class all the way with many models, actual pieces from the war, and videos.  It was as well laid out and informative as any I've been to and if in the area, it is definitely worth a stop and the $12 old person admission.

Like much of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg was settled by the Germans and named for Prince Frederick of Prussia so for lunch we decided to try one of the several German restaurants in town.  Since it was 2pm, the place we wanted to try had already closed so we went to Der Lindenbaum which had four stars on Trip Advisor and was run by a woman from Munich so we got to compare notes about Southern Germany.  

Bev had a pastrami sandwich and Pat had ham and cheese so no pics of them.  I began with a glass of very good draft Octoberfest dark beer.  For my meal, it was Jagerschnitzel with German Potato Salad and Red Cabbage.  The potatoes and cabbage were both a little too sweet for my taste and the schnitzel was a bit over-cooked so this meal could only be rated as okay.  Almost forgot the pic.

After that we stopped Opa’s Smoked Meats for a few packages of their smoked sausages and cooked white brats – all made on site. 

We had considered camping for a few nights in Fredericksburg and now I wish we had done it.

Then we made the drive back to Schertz, TX using the much more relaxing back roads (which I am always impressed with in Texas) where we met up with Kathy and Keith at the Anchor Bar and as Kathy told us this place has an agreement with the original Anchor Bar (inventor of Buffalo Wings) in Buffalo, NY to use their name and recipes. 

We had a few adult beverages, toasted Keith’s retirement that day and said our good buys for this visit.

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

1/21/19 event date