Hippo Hunting

According to local legend, it was in 1915 when a circus train stopped in Hutto Texas at the depot to take on passengers, pick up and deliver mail and possibly take on water and fuel for the steam locomotive. The circus train workers also would have taken this opportunity to care for their animals. At some point, a hippopotamus got out of the railcar and made its way to the nearby Cottonwood Creek which is next to the rail line. This caused much consternation for the circus workers. Local farmers and merchants watched the commotion in amusement and with interest as unsuccessful efforts were made to extricate the hippopotamus from the muddy waters of Cottonwood Creek. It is said that the Depot Agent, who at that time would have been Hal Farley, Jr., telegraphed the communities of Taylor and Round Rock that were eight miles to the east and west of Hutto to the effect of: “STOP TRAINS, HIPPO LOOSE IN HUTTO”. After much effort the hippo was prodded from the mud and water that resembled its natural habitat and was reloaded back onto the train car. Soon afterward the Hutto School adopted the hippopotamus as its mascot and as early as 1923 the hippo appeared on official Hutto High School graduation announcements. ~Wikipedia~

Today mom and I went hippo hunting in Hutto. We had a great time locating the few that we did find, we ate a Mexican Restaurant that wasn’t very good but was interesting, and had a wonderful conversation with a couple sitting outside the restaurant. It was great way to spend the morning/ early afternoon.

I wasn’t’ too sure about the weather so we drove straight to Huntsville. Tomorrow we will explore Huntsville before we head out. Huntsville was home to Sam Huston who is also buried there. We will definitely be going to the cemetery.

We are planning to stay in Marksville Louisiana long enough to get our mail and get through the holiday. I will also use that time to create the Christmas Calendars and they will be mailed at that time.