We are in Waco, Texas - the proud home of

Dr Pepper!

A pharmacist here made Dr Pepper in the 1870s, and it was first called "a Waco".

The museum is small but well done and interesting.

When the company began to seriously produce the soft drink the most important ingredient was clean water. They had to dig their own well to insure a proper supply.

Using the original building for the museum, and knowing a well was on the property, they began the search for the well.

Looking in the mirror over my head you can see down the well.

The well has been cleared to 27 feet, but it went deeper when new.

Excavating the well they found lots of old tools and bottles.

Supposedly Waco was settled by Native Americans because of springs in the area, so most wells dug would have been successful.

This suspension bridge was a huge success when opened in 1870. The only way to cross the Brazos River for miles; the toll bridge was open to stage coaches, pedestrians and live stock.

A view of the Brazos from the suspension bridge.

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The same engineer later built the Brooklyn Bridge.

Showing the cattle being herded over the bridge, this was a part of the Chisom Trail.

All the steers are carrying the Waco "brand".

Ten miles outside of Waco is another landmark.

Guess what the photo below shows.

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It looks insignificant now, but this is the site of the Branch Davidian Compound.

The siege and consequent fire caused so much turmoil in our country.

On the 2 year anniversary of the fire, the Oklahoma City bombing shocked and saddened us again.

I don't think there's any clear way to see this. There is enough blame and pity to spread over everyone involved.

Let's pray we've learned from this, and never do anything like this to each other again.