Wednesday Adventure

Yesterday, the Doyle Homeschool went adventuring at the George Ranch Historical Park.  It was homeschool day which meant we enjoyed reduced admission and the company of other homeschooling families.  We went with the female Ceys and had a fabulous time.  As we arrived under threatening skies, Misty and I both wondered if the other had brought an umbrella.  Neither of us had but as it turned out, that didn't matter.  The rains came later in the afternoon but they were insignificant and the overcast day gave us cool weather for touring homes with no air conditioning.  It couldn't have been better.  

The George Ranch Park (named for the family who owned it and lived there until 1960) includes four homes built between the 1830s and the 1930s.  I have toured many period homes before but never four so close together where I could see the changes and the progression through the centuries.  It was fascinating.  The day was long--we left after 4:00 P.M.--but the girls were interested and well-behaved and came home raving about the field trip and ready to tell Daddy all about what they'd learned.  My kind of schooling.   

Visiting the 1830s Jones Stock Farm

Our guide taught us about Stephen F. Austin and life on the frontier.

He also taught us signs that early Texans would have used with indians.

I posted a video at the bottom of Mia and Grace demonstrating some of the signs.

Sophie and Ella were more interested in the chickens than the tour.

A few of the many chickens walking around

Fascinated

Determined--she tried hard but she never did catch one

Inside the log cabin

Sophie finds a toy in the children's loft

Loading the gun

Our guide told us about the gun.  It's special and rare but I didn't catch much more than that.

It was loud.

Outside the chicken house.

The back porch of the cabin.  The big hallway through the middle is called the dog run.

Watch that needle, G!

The 1860s Ryon Prairie Home

This home had a schoolroom with slates and chalk.  The guide told us the children would only go to school about eight days a month.  

Sophie thinks she might like to live here

Baby E

The 1890s Davis Victorian Mansion

I wish I'd taken my own photo of this home.  It was my favorite.

The family cemetery was near the Victorian Mansion

In the small country church

The girls asked if it was a Catholic church which gave a us a great opportunity to talk about the clues they could look for to answer that question for themselves.

Ringing the bell

"sanctuary"

Sophie likes to help Ella walk

And to kiss her too

The 1930s George Cattle Complex

This house was originally a one story home but they added on and built the second story.  When the Georges died, they had no heirs and left 50 million dollars to the foundation that operates the Park/ Ranch.  Ella loved the room off the kitchen which was full of hunting trophies.  She kept pointing and saying/ screeching "Look!"

Davie Crockett and Pocahontas

In the video, Mia "Davie" is giving Grace "Pocahontas" commands in sign language then doing words like "deer", "listen"& "bear".  They invented the sign at the end.