Thursday, March 10, 2011
After lots of last minute packing, we finally got fueled and away.
Arrived Boerne, TX for Airstream Rally late afternoon.
Friday, Saturday, March 11 & 12
I shopped Boerne while Jim went with the guys to Cave Without a Name. We both enjoyed ourselves.
Nighttime introductions and induction to Texas Highland Lakes Unit (THLU) of Wally Byam International Airstream Club.
Jim made col canon for potluck.
Sat. a.m. visited other trailers. Left for Wings Over Boerne, a show featuring Birds of Prey.
We got to see hawks, falcons, and vultures as they caught their "prey". We both held a hawk.
To Po Po for dinner. Chicken Fried Steak!
Sunday, March 13
Up at 6:15. Quick breakfast, then hurry, hurry, hurry. I was concerned about being on someone else's time. We were in line and on the road by 8:40. Ten minutes late--but not our fault!
Stopped for lunch, then on to Caverns of Sonora.
The caverns are quite lovely. Many, many, many of the formations are alive.
The water droplets indicate a growing formation.
This was the location of the famous butterfly until some delinquent destroyed the formation.
This felt like the inside of a Georgia O'keefe painting!
We had a nice visit at the campground. We sat in a big circle over to the right of the picture under large cedar trees.
We enjoyed watching the peafowl, guineas, and not so wild turkey in the park.
Monday, March 14
We were off to a good start in the second group. We left at 9 a.m.
Plenty of time to watch the sun rise.
We headed to Fort Stockton and stopped for a photo op at Pasiano Pete.
We visited the Anne Riggs Museum. My favorite thing was the dinosaur skull still encased in rock.
Happy hour was at our place. I played the harp.
Tuesday, March 15
We were up early and had to hitch in the dark. This was another new experience. It took awhile, but we managed.
Our next stop was Balmorhea State Park.
We visited the new wetlands and of course, the pool.
We really wished for time to swim with the fish and the ducks, but alas, no time was allotted.
The water is clear and beautiful.
This has to be the most gorgeous pool in TX.
Our arrival at Fort Davis garnered some attention!
After getting parked and set up, we were off to lunch at Indian Lodge.
We had chicken fried steak, of course! It was wonderful!
Then we wandered around the lodge and located Room 124 where we stayed in 1991.
We added another foot picture just to certify the visit!
After our visit to Indian Lodge, we headed to town. In Fort Davis, we found a book sale then went to the Thrift Store run by the local rescue shelter. I went next door and came back to find Jim looking intently at the adoption pictures. He especially liked Hobbes. We asked about the shelter and were invited to go visit. We did. Hobbes, we discovered ,has fear issues. We didn't make it back to camp until eating time.
Wednesday, March 16
We spent the morning at Fort Davis. It is a very interesting historical park.
Barracks Row
Officer's quarters
Jim on the Old Overland Trail
We explored the town then went back to visit Hobbes again.
Then it was on to the world famous McDonald Observatory.
We left camp at 2 p.m. We attended the solar lecture with live pictures of the sun. We also heard a lecture about the night sky. We had dinner at the cafe then attended another lecture preparing us for the evening star party. We enjoyed the star gazing more than we anticipated. We hung around until 11:15. It was a great evening.
The only thing that would have made it better would have visited at the dark of the moon instead of on a bright full moonlight night.
Thursday, March 17
Free day. We did the scenic loop road around Fort Davis. This is the one I remember so well. We had a picnic lunch across the road from Prude Guest Ranch--another source of fond memories. Band Trips of Yore.
Saw tooth mountain was another old favorite....
as is the now forbidden "Rock Pile" where we camped so many times. Here my cousins and I slept on the "Kit Carson Rock" and Uncle Howard competed with a frog for noises of the night. Uncle Howard won.
Back at Fort Davis we visited the Limpia Hotel--a place out of time forgotten.
We discussed the dog decision on the front porch and finally, after a solid hour and a half, Jim decided to let his heart rule his head.
Jim's new puppy, Hobbes Bailey
Adoption day with Laura
We took our new family member back to camp. Jim had to jump on dinner quickly because we were co-hosts for the evening. We had a lovely happy hour with Colin's family wine--already blessed. Everyone seemed to enjoy dinner--especially the buffalo burgers and the coleslaw.
After Colin told about the family wine, I told the Mavis and the Leprechaun story. After dinner, I played the harp as background music to conversation.
After a visit with our new friends, we went back to the camper and I decided that Hobbes must have a bath--immediately!
His coat is really soft and shiny when it is clean. Yeah!!!
Friday, March 18
Slept late--7:15!
Departure at 9:15. Up and at 'em in a hurry.
Nice morning--we hitched in about 15 minutes. On the road to Lajitas.
Driving day--arrived late afternoon. Just took things easy.
Saturday, March 19
Up slowly. Drove to Terlingua. Ate lunch and drank beer there.
Ghost town, here we come!
Jim and other characters on the porch of the Terlingua Trading Co.
His usual good time....
The chihuahua races were on. We didn't stay around for them, but we did admire this tough little guy.
The place good Terlingua folks go at the end.....
On to Santa Elena Canyon
Did the hike back to the end of the trail.Back to Mavrick RV park and dinner on the pool deck.
Sunday, March 20
Up early to do the hike to Cattail Falls.
These early mornings have only one problem--they ARE early!
They do, however, make for dramatic scenery!
The group arrives at the Indian Signal Tree.
Another beautiful spot....
After the hike we went to the Chisos Basin.
Ate lunch at Chisons Mountain Lodge--under Casa Grande. I don't remember what we ate, but we had a wonderful dessert of peach and blackberry cobbler with ice cream....yum, yum, yum!
Back toward the park, we stopped at a cactus shop. We got several plants including an Andes spineless cactus. The owners were quite amusing!
We got into our Cowboy Duds for happy hour at the Thirsty Goat Saloon followed by a great dinner of shrimp cocktail, salad, and perfectly cooked thick steak with scalloped potatoes with garlic and veggies. Yum!
When we got back to the Thor Baliee, Hobbes had gathered all our shoes on the sofa. Fortunately, he didn't chew them, just get them all together.
Monday, March 21
Good start until I didn't get the hitch all the way down on the ball. Thankfully, Windy, Gene, Tom all helped and we got the problem corrected. Off on time at 8:30 on the the RV park at Fort Stockton.
Just after we arrived at camp, the wind came up and REALLY blew. Dinner was cut short and everyone went inside to escape. We said our goodbyes to new friends.
Tuesday, March 21
We arrived at Iraan about 2 p.m. and went to Sherry's school then her apartment for a visit. Jordon and Lacie were there. In the evening Brandon, (Lacie's husband) came over. Grace is due in July. We had a lovely visit.
Wesnesday, March 22
We took off about 9:15 and headed toward Langry.
Judge Roy Bean's Saloon was interesting--this is the original building!
At the bar.....
The cactus garden was very impressive!
And of course, the River itself---
Drove on to Seminole Canyon State Park. Stopped about 3:30. Rested. Napped.
Thursday, March 23
Did the Canyon hike at 10a.m. to the pictographs.
Sculpture at the top of the hill.
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Overlooking the canyon.
Pictograph sample. Awesome!
Looking out from the sheltered area.
After the tour, we did a 6 mile hike to the Rio Grande. We took a wrong side coming back and made the return trip much longer. Probably about 8 miles total back to the Thor. The wind wa blowing about 35 miles per houor. Surely is West Texas!!!!
Took sunset pictures from the hillside.
Overall a wonderful stop!
Friday, March 25
Slow start--off about 10. We have had Hobbes 1 week. He has adapted wonderfully!
Jim says we have too!
A great first Airstream Caravan!!!
