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Bedicheks in Buffalo -- A Day in Putnam County
Back to my Bedichek First Arriver and my 3rd great-grandfather, Frederick Augustus (1809-1891). Frederic Bezdíček arrived in New York in...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Oct 128 min read


The More Complete Deming Story
The Bedicheks were part of the US homesteader story . The larger story is a sad one to me, white (and a few black) folks given land...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Feb 206 min read


JM's Final Chapter
So, the family story becomes much richer! Roy and Lillian's adventure was amazing, and now we have the just-as-amazing story of his parents'

Karen Derrick-Davis
Jan 233 min read


Roy Bedichek’s Illinois Origins
As we prepared to leave Kentucky on our way to Des Moines, Iowa, I realized we could easily swing through Newmansville, Ill, the...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Aug 5, 20244 min read


The Lessons Deepen
Roy Bedichek's friends and colleagues wanted him to write a book. They had spent years receiving his eloquent letters and enjoying...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 11, 20243 min read


Another Reason to #ThankATree
In Karankaway Country, Great-Granddaddy Bedichek has a chapter called "Dust" where he talks about topsoil. He explains the role that...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Apr 28, 20231 min read


The European Starling Invasion of 1935, Austin, Texas
Hello, Adventurers! I have started to dig into and organize the photos I took of Bedichek documents at the Briscoe Center. I found this...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 28, 20231 min read


It's a Wrap!
My first Adventures with Bedichek road trip is in the books. It is great to be home and it is now time to reflect and digest. I'll...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 12, 20232 min read


Batty in Austin
Great-Granddaddy wrote about the Cliff Swallows that made mud nests on the Congress Avenue Bridge. I have yet to see the swallows -- if...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 6, 20231 min read


Determined to Find Barton Creek
Today, I decided to take a hike along Barton Creek -- farther upstream to see if I could find running water. I had to walk 2 miles, but I...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 5, 20231 min read


A Trip Upstream from Barton Springs
Personally, if I have to fight for this country, I will not fight for the flag, or the American “way of life,” or democracy, or private...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 4, 20232 min read


The Perfect Place
I stumbled upon the perfect place for this first Adventure with Bedichek. My lodging is on a simple urban homestead with chickens, a...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 3, 20231 min read


A Copious & Prolific Notetaker
Great-Granddaddy wrote and wrote and wrote! I am truly grateful! Here are some more bits and bobs that I particularly enjoyed. (Titles...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 2, 20233 min read


Two Big Destinations
Friday Mountain -- Picnic with Great-Granddaddy #3 When Great-Granddaddy's friends implored him to write a book, they found funding for...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Mar 1, 20233 min read


The Closest I've Been to Him
Today was an amazing day. I was able to touch the very papers that Great-Granddaddy wrote. Our family is immensely lucky that there are...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Feb 28, 20234 min read


A Picnic with Great-Granddaddy
Today, I spent several hours in Eddy, Texas -- where Great-Granddaddy Bedichek spent his formative years and where he was buried. I have...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Feb 27, 20232 min read


Sound Memories
Great-Granddaddy tells the story of his father's passing. Although he loved and admired the man greatly, he said when he learned of JM's...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Feb 27, 20232 min read


From Farm Boy to College Boy
Today I got to actually look for places Great-Granddaddy worked and lived. His first stop after high school was Waco, Texas -- where I...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Feb 26, 20231 min read


Telling Stories
Today as I listened to more of the audio interviews I was a bit taken aback by the way Great-Granddaddy shares some of the life events of...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Feb 25, 20233 min read


Road Day #2 - 300-ish miles
Today, was my first "real" day where I started my plan of reading Plato in the morning (as Great-Granddaddy did) and birding in the...

Karen Derrick-Davis
Feb 25, 20233 min read
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