Back and to the left.

Me, with the Book Depository in background.

We only had one night in Dallas before our drive to Austin, but before we left, we paid a visit to the Sixth Floor Museum in the Book Depository over looking Dealey Plaza. The museum covers the presidency and assassination of John F. Kennedy.It was interesting (especially to see where Oswald (supposedly?) sat with his rifle trained on the motorcade as it passed. Other than that, there wasn't anything new for me to learn. Photos were forbidden inside the museum, so the only photos I have are of the the outside in Dealey Plaza.

The Grassy Knoll, 2012 style.

The top floor of the Book Depository.

THE window. Bill Hicks was right, they don't let you anywhere near the actual window.

 This is where the motorcade turned onto Elm Street and JFK was shot with the first bullet.

After Dealey Plaza it was time to drive to Austin.

On the way, we passed through Waco, Texas.

I wanted to go to the old Branch Davidian compound, because I heard there was a memorial to all of those who died in the FBI/ATF raid April 19, 1993. I feel especially connected to this event as it occurred on my eleventh birthday.

As Lindsay and I drove out to the farmlands outside of Waco, an overbearing sense of dread washed over us. I don't know if it was the thought of driving out into the middle of nowhere in a country we were unfamiliar with, or just the thought that so many people (a lot of them children) died out here. All I can say is the feeling was palpable.

We drove out to the address I got from the Internet, but could not find the memorial (if it still exists).

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But we're pretty sure this is the area where the compound stood. 

We came to an unsealed road, and with the depressing fog pressing down on us and the area around us, we decided to turn around and continue on to Austin and once we hit the highway, the pressure lifted and we could breathe once more. Just the thought of what went on was enough to put the fear in us. There was nothing there, but it was a very intense experience none the less.

If you would like to know more, or do not know at all about the Branch Davidians and what happened to them in 1993, Google it, or check out the film Waco: The Rules of Engagement.
Chilling stuff.

Well, we have arrived safely in Austin, so we'll update you once we have the lay of the land.