3/15/2020-3/18/2020
Spring Break here we come! Couldn’t think of a better way to get away from this whole Corona Virus disaster with social distancing and nature at it’s finest. Kevin, Cameron and I drove up on Sunday and Mimi, Earl and Nolan came Monday after stopping for lunch and touring the Silos (Chip & Joanna Gaines’ empire) in Waco. Mimi and Earl got a hotel in Burnet (just 15 minutes away) so they could hang out with us at the campsite, but they could have their “mandatory” king size bed & hotel luxuries at night. It worked out great!
This state park is in Texas’s gorgeous Hill Country. The wildflowers did not disappoint (although they weren’t at full bloom yet) and what gorgeous scenery! Our spot was quite tight – we BARELY fit (good thing the site across the way wasn’t occupied yet, because Kevin had to pull into that one to get the camper squeezed in at the right angle). We had a beautiful lake view and perfect shade trees to hang the hammocks. Settled in that night with tacos, a game of 9 square and the movie Instant Family.
Managed to lock Kevin’s keys in the truck (thank you OnStar for your remote unlock geniousness) and took a quick hike down to Devil’s waterhole, a swimming hole that this park is known for. It has tall cliffs that you can jump off (at your own risk they will remind you) and it’s beautiful! There’s another hike that leaves from there that we all went on the next day. You can’t believe the vegetation & views (prickly pear cactus, yuccas, rock outcroppings, cliffs & streams).
Chewy, as usual, enjoyed every minute spending most of his day looking straight up as the squirrels that taunted him (his neck has to be soar), watching the geese on the lake, napping on the couch while we were gone, hiking and hanging out on his own personal camping chair (although I’m pretty sure he just sits on that to humor us – he’d prefer one of our human chairs).
There are 2 towns nearby. Burnet is one way and Kingsland is 15 minutes the other direction. We ate at a great Mexican restaurant called Alfredos (awesome queso, fajitas & enchiladas plus homemade ranch!). This is, of course, after washing our hands every 10 minutes, dousing in hand sanitizer and keeping our 6 ft distance from the pubic – pretty much the story of our trip when we ventured out with the Corona Virus being at the top of our minds.
That night after Mimi, Earl and Nolan arrived, we showed them around the cute park store (bought t-shirts & ice cream), hiked, then grilled chicken and had s’mores by the campfire. Note to self: don’t forget the firewood from home ($11.99/bundle gets expensive – but is well worth it) Love me a campfire and perfect weather for it.
The weather actually cooperated with us. We were a bit apprehensive on how the trip would turn out, because the forecast showed thunderstorms EVERYDAY! We only got rained on once when we were setting up and had a storm blow through one night that wrecked our canopy 😦
We celebrated St Patty’s Day on the Vanishing Texas River Cruise that showed us around Lake Buchanan in a double decker “cruise boat”. Absolutely beautiful and we all learned some interesting facts about the area. I wouldn’t call it exhilarating, but the scenery made it worth it. Earl even managed to find a Groupon before we got there. Again, keeping our 6 ft from each other, washing those hands and dousing in hand sanitizer. Mom called ahead to make sure it wouldn’t be too crowded for them to feel comfortable to be exposed (they fall in the more dangerous age category and need to be extra careful). The lower deck was enclosed where they had water and tea, and stairs that led to an open air upper deck. And again, the weather was perfect!
We had lunch in Burnet at El Charro’s, another good Mexican restaurant. Homemade tortillas, great fajitas (with smoked sausage, shrimp, chicken and beef) and nachos!
The wildlife consisted of some deer (2 road kill and 2 live ones), tons of birds (there’s a bird sanctuary we didn’t make it to), TONS of geese and squirrels (one who got into the tray of brownies when Earl was less than 10 feet away – little stinker!)
That night we played Quirkle & Farkle at the picnic table and grilled burgers. Other entertainment for the evening was a man trying to back his trailer, and it must have been his first time. He missed the concrete pad by about 10 feet, and ended up 45 degrees the wrong direction. In and out of his truck about 15 times, back and forth, and back and forth, and finally gave up and put it in another spot. It was painful for Kevin to watch, but one of the other camper neighbors was already out there trying to help. Reminded me of an episode of Family Guy where Peter tried to back a trailer down the boat ramp (Google it if you haven’t seen it – had me doubled over with tears streaming down my face).
The kids laid in their hammocks a ton, rode their bikes, Kevin got in some fishing (although not enough) and I relaxed. This is what these trips are all about, spending time with family, enjoying life and making memories.
To Have And To Haas 