Our first visit today was to the Railroad Heritage Center in Palestine, TX. According to a Google search, “(It is) Operated by the non-profit Texas State Railroad Society, the Railroad Heritage Center exists to celebrate Palestine's railroad history and encourage participation in the many facets of railroading; history, preservation, modelling, artistic expression, etc. Membership in the TSR Society is encouraged. Our prime attraction is the Paul A. Domis model railroad, a freelance HO scale layout involving influences from Europe and the Dallas area. Trains reflect a Texas heritage. Evolving exhibits include an appreciation of the ‘Traquero’ or track worker, the engineering importance of Texas & Pacific #610 at the Texas State Railroad. In winter months after hours, a model railroad can be viewed via the front window, activated by an external button." After the death of Paul Arthur Domis the train collection was moved from his garage and established in Palestine.

Just as the city of Pasadena, CA celebrates an annual Rose Parade, so does Tyler, TX. The festival in Tyler began in 1933 and is held each October. A queen is selected. There is a museum to commemorate the event. You’ll find the queens’ royal garb including their crowns on exhibit.

Behind the museum is a large rose garden. We tried to takeTickle out for a walk there. Alas, it was +92°F outside and very humid. We did our best by taking some distant picture from the museum balcony. Then we quickly headed back to our air conditioned car.