The Hochmuth Adventures 2017 . . . The Apennines to the Andes followed by Acadia and the Azores: CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME! - Friday, February 3, 2017 - Day Five

Up and out early. We wanted to be at Magnolia Market when they opened. We made a quick stop at the Silos bakery first and had a goodie but were surprised that they didn't have any tea. (I think you could get some at one of the food trucks on the compound.) We were in line as the store opened and were greeted as we entered. There were many clerks and everyone was extremely helpful. As you looked around you could see Joanna's design aesthetic throughout the store. You were surrounded by wire and metal containers for flowers and many of the accent pieces that are featured on Fixer Upper. The kitchen area had concrete counters and white subway tile and resembled the Gaines' kitchen. The only thing missing was the ship lap. Even though it was early there were quite a few people there and they predicted more people later as they made their way to Houston for the Super Bowl. We made a few purchases - I could have bought more and may regret not buying that clock we were looking at- and then moved out to see the grounds. They had all types of seating on the grounds and as I mentioned about a dozen food trucks which opened for lunch. They have added shaded seating since they opened as people requested it to combat the summer heat and sun in Waco. We stopped at the seed and garden store before exiting the property. It was pretty impressive to see what the Gaines have done in the last four years to preserve a Waco landmark and to energize the old downtown businesses. They must not sleep between their TV show, realty business, new line of furniture, rugs, paints etc. There is a shuttle which takes you around Downtown Waco and has stops at some of the businesses that Chip and Joanna patronize i.e. Antique stores and the wood shop of Clint Harper, who often makes special order tables etc for Joanna. We asked a clerk if the Gaines were ever in the store and they said not often but that Chip had babysat for her when she was little. They also said that Magnolia Market employs 400+ people. I have to say that even though I've wanted to go here since it opened for me it lived up to the hype and I wasn't disappointed in the least. Ron was standing around like a typical male shopper when a similarly disinterested man of the same demographic group started up a conversation only to find out his "lady friend" was from Lockport NY.

From there we followed one of Phlash Phelps suggestions and went to the Dr. Pepper Museum which was in walking distance of the Silos. It was interesting learning about the origin of the nation's oldest major soft drink which had its origins in Waco. We finished our tour with a sundae before we got back on the road. We had a long drive today - Although with the crazy speed limit of 75 mph we should make good time - correction the speed limit just went up to 80😳 Yikes!!!!- because we are trying to cover enough ground so we get into Las Vegas in time to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday. Remember the Super Bowl starts at 6:30 ET but that will be 3:30 PT. We stopped in Pecos so we could have some good Texas BBQ before we get out of the state. It was scrumptious! Arrived in Van Horn, TX at about 9:15 pm.

We crossed an almost dry Colorado River today and have traveled 2500 miles passing through San Angelo, Abilene, Midland, Odessa and Pecos today. This part of Texas is not very scenic. It's dusty, brown and very oil industry based.... although you would see an oil rig, cotton and windmills - 1,000's of them - all in the same field. You see oil rigs, refineries, lots of rundown mobile homes and RVs, trash and metal waste all over. Makes you appreciate home!

We're coming CJ!!!! Getting closer everyday.

Views of Magnolia Market and the Silos