We noticed a place called “Stonehenge II” on a map when looking for nearby attractions, and had to go take a look at it. We’ve been a couple of times to another Stonehenge replica, the Maryhill Stonehenge in Washington, just north of the Oregon border.

This one is in Ingram, Texas, a bit less than an hour south of the Pecan Valley RV Park (which is “nearby” in Texas terms):

Some murals in town:

We first stopped at Hunter House Cafe for brunch:

We’re in Texas, so of course I had to try grits:

Jenn had Huevos Rancheros:

Then we proceeded to Stonehenge II:

Plus a couple of Easter Island head replicas, for reasons:

It’s 90% the height and 60% the width of the original:

We visited Fort McKavett State Historic Site, a 150-year-old fort in West Texas, from the Texas-Indian Wars of 1850–1875, with a museum, some ruins, and several restored structures.

The visitor center and museum is in the restored hospital building:

Some museum exhibits:

Another angle of the hospital building:

Officer buildings:

A schoolhouse, that was used from 1874 to 1956:

Ruins of the commanding officers quarters:

Other officer quarters, restored:

Headquarters:

Barracks:

Ruins of barracks:

Officers quarters:

A “sink”:

The “Dead House” (morgue) behind the hospital:

Other side of the hospital:

A fascinating look at a slice of regional history.

South of Junction, Texas is the South Llano River State Park. We’ve got a Texas State Parks pass… so when driving around town, we decided to check it out:

Info sign:

The visitor center:

An electric & water-only campground (a bit too small for us, though we might have fit in some sites):

A major feature of the park is a wildlife refuge, including a turkey roosting area, where wild turkeys roost in the pecan trees overnight:

We didn’t see any turkeys, though did see one of the small deer:

At a river access point, an interesting idea: a box of trash bags:

The river:

Some subsidence:

A surprising hidden gem in Marathon is Gage Gardens, a 27-acre park tucked away across the railway tracks from the downtown shops.

Rose garden, dormant in winter:

Lots of grasshoppers:

A painted cow:

A delightful garden in a delightful town.