Texas Rangers

Recently, my family visited the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. No, not the baseball team. The original Texas Rangers, members of the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States.

There's something mythical about them. Tough. Intelligent. Courageous. Not that other law enforcement officials aren't. There's just something special about the Texas Rangers. So much so that at my college graduation, I could barely focus on what the President of the United States was saying during our commencement address because a Texas Ranger was on protection duty right in front of my spot, and we were all talking and whispering about the Ranger.

But I digress. Shocking, I know.

You can read more about the Texas Rangers on the Hall of Fame and Museum website.


One of my favorite bits of trivia that I learned from our visit is that the famous Texas Ranger star badge is made (to this day) from a 50 pesos coin.

Another favorite, is the origin of the saying "One riot, one Ranger." I think that this same saying can be found in John Flanagan's RANGER'S APPRENTICE series. Might just have to re-read that.

Well, it's time to hit the trails . . .

Happy Birthday, America!

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. In honor of our nation's birthday, here are a few randoms:

1. There are 27 grievances against the King of England listed in the Declaration of Independence.

2. There are 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence.

3. The final text of the Declaration was approved on July 4, 1776, but it's unclear when the Declaration was actually signed. It may not have been signed until August, and some historians suggest that the last signature was obtain in January 1777.

4. Calvin Coolidge was born on the Fourth of July.

5. Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the Fourth.

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth!