See the USA in an Airstream!: George H. W. Bush Presidential Library

The George Bush Presidential Library is located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. We planned ahead and packed a lunch as we weren't sure how long we'd actually be at the library. We weren't disappointed!

The library introduced us to the families of George and Barbara Bush from childhood onward. The whole feel of the library was "comfortable"-- a "welcome into our family" affair. It progressed from childhood to college years, and then George's stint in the navy. We were guests at his wedding to Barbara, and enjoyed family pictures of their early years -- as well as their restored Studebaker.

In the process of learning about their life together, we learned about the child who died much too young due to Leukemia, George's time working in the oil business from the ground up, his extensive preparation for the presidency through his military career, his time as head of the CIA, his time at the United Nations, and finally his Presidency.

As with other Presidential Libraries, we were treated to a model of his White House Office and I especially enjoyed the Camp David office and pictures of the chapel there and the family Christmas held there.

The tone of the whole library was one of a close family in service to their country. The funniest area was a relaxation area with books for kids to sit and look at, and videos of George and Barbara cracking up on Saturday Night Live. There was a skit of them playing golf and Barbara winning.

While we were there, the staff indicated that they had seen a Secret Service detail in the building, and that Barbara Bush was somewhere in the building. We didn't see her, however. She was known to come into the library and talk to the people who were there visiting.

We visited Barbara's Rose Garden behind the library, and the sculpture of Freedom, in memory of the Berlin Wall after we completed our visit to the library.