Archive for the ‘Weekends’ Category
On our way to Colorado Bend State Park up in Bend, TX. We both are looking forward to getting back on the trail after a three week hiatus. I’ve decided that I will track on our upcoming adventures in Google Maps and in pictures per blog post (a before and after if you will). So see map below on the park’s location…
View Colorado Bend State Park in a larger map
Catherine and I visited Hamilton Pool near Bee Caves, TX this weekend, being my first visit and her second???, and I have to say that I am very impressed with how awesome it was with the swimming hole and waterfall. Catherine brought along her vintage camera and we took a couple silly pictures with it. Hopefully they will turn out great.
As for the park itself, it was a great hike all around. The circle around the pool was something taken out of a Mayan religious sanctuary (not sure if this was a holy site for the original Native American Indians in the Texas area, but it sure had that feeling). The waterfall crashed down into the swimming hole, being 66 degree Fahrenheit, too cold for swimming.
There was also a .6 mile hike to the Pedernales River that trekked rocky hills blanketed with blue and yellow wild flowers along a quiet creek capped with tall, lively cedars and oaks that feed the mighty Pedernales River. Being late April, it was surprisingly nice to be able to enjoy high 70s degree weather with sunlight to warm you up if you were to be chilled by the slight breeze.
I will be uploading photos to facebook in the next coming days, so stay tuned. I have to say that I will recommend this spot for anyone looking for a quick, relaxing hike.
Catherine and I went camping this weekend at Bastrop State Park on the Lost Pines Hiking Trail consisting of a 4 mile hike in and out. I am really impressed with this park and I think it’s becoming one of my favorites. It was really challenging, one of the first real hike ins.
We found ourselves at the turnaround when setting up camp; needless to say we both were exhausted. The location was nestled on top of a creek embankment, overlooking the creek bed and lost pines. Once set up and full from our “astronaut” food, we both entertained each other with a puppet show.
The next morning we hiked the upper trail to see if we could find some Houston Horn Toads and coming up short we packed up and headed back home. Next time we will visit the upper trail, hoping to find a closer campsite 
(Pictures will be added as soon as I transfer them to my external HDD)
Over the weekend, Catherine and I visited three different state parks, a first for the both of us; we are so hardcore. Last weekend we went on a camping adventure to one of the top 100 state parks in America, Guadalupe State Park. All in all it was a great trip, with its interesting camping patrons (lighter fluid and BBQ pits). This trip proved that we could handle any adversity that came our way and we were hardcore, building a fire from sticks and stone
This weekend, we visited McKinney Falls, Lockhart, and Bastrop State Parks. I just received my new Yakima bike racks for my truck bed, and we both tested them out. McKinney Falls is a great ride with the perfect amount of uphill and downhill sections. Onion Creek was too high to cross so we only rode the upper section of the falls.
We visited Lockhart State Park after we enjoyed some Black’s Barbecue. This visited was short considering it was mainly a golf course, but the barbecue was amazing.
And finally, Bastrop State Park, a new love that sparked our next camping trip. Catherine and I loved every minute of each trail we hiked on. The Lost Pines seemed as though we were no longer in Texas, but felt familiar to the Rocky Mountains National Park, minus the mountains It was a great hike and we plan on backpacking next weekend on the Lost Pines Trail.
I will leave with a few pics from our trips:
Catherine and I had a great Sunday morning visiting the McKinney Falls State Park here in Austin, Texas. We were both surprised at how close it really was to my apartment; only 2 miles away.
At first glance, we were skeptical. Once out of the official Texas State Park truck, the Toyota Tundra, we started our adventure on the Onion Creek hike and bike trail. We saw primitive camping sites, lots of picnic areas, and the Jimmy Clay GC. But it wasn’t until we turned the corner on the southern part of the trail when we saw some really cool cacti and mulberry flowers. This was also our first time testing out Catherine’s trekking poles which really make a difference
Overall, I was impressed with the park and could see this as a quick Sunday morning bike or hike. With our park pass, it’s definitely worth it. And the views of the falls are really awesome, seeing the power of the waters crash down on the “moon surfaced” rocks. I recommend this park to anyone looking to take the family out for a quick stroll or for that last minute hike with a friend or significant other.
Catherine and I did some camping over the weekend at Pedernales State Park in Johnson City, TX. We both were very excited to get out their and “rough it” out with nature to test our “Marine skills”. When we arrived there, we were met with open arms by the park rangers, although it seemed like to the both of us park rangers favor primitive campers over “park n’ tent” campers by the way they greeted the gentleman waiting before us in line for registration.
So as we unpack the official Texas State Parks truck, 2010 Toyota Tundra, we came across a very friendly fellow and his two friends who seemed to be visited by “the spirits of the forest.” It was rather strange, and we both looked at each and said “Odd!”
We started our “2 mile” hike, stopping along the way to take photos and strategizing ways to cross low lying creeks. When we found the primitive camping site, we found the perfect spot, although we luckily came across it. We pitch our tent, set up our sleeping bags, and started the mini stove; it was time to eat
After setting up our campsite, we got cozy, ate our Easy Mac ‘N Cheese, and enjoyed a game of Scrabble right before our wolf scare. We calmed each other down by reading each other by reading potential state parks we’d like to visit later on this year. *Note to self: DO NOT bring beef jerky when camping.
We survived the night and woke up at the break of dawn, patrolling the perimeter for potential threats of wolves (must have been a Marine in a past life). We went on a quick morning hike of Wolf Mountain, oddly enough we did not find any wolves. Again we stopped along the way to take pictures of goofy signs and picturesque views. Our camping adventures came to a close after having no issues packing up our campsite, thank God, with a visit to the Pedernales Falls.
We had the best time of our lives and there is more to come for the both of us
I’ve been hectically trying to catch up to be able to enjoy the season primer of Lost next week. So the past couple of days and nights, I’ve caught up to season 2, episode 19. I know I have a long ways to go, but hopefully ABC or Hulu.com will post the new episodes as soon as they are broadcasted.
So far, everyone on the Island has had it for 48 days and everything is about to “hit the fan.” Hopefully tonight, I’ll be able to finish the last part of season 2. Not too sure about the “Dharma Initiative”; seems like a “cult” to me. Who knows? I think I’m about to be confused outta my mind and will be reading up the forums to try to understand all the chaos that is Lost
Catherine and I went to Schweitzer ski resort this morning/afternoon to do some downhill skiing. Again, we had an amazing adventure!!! Here are some videos and photos from our day
Having the best time of my life…what a way to ring in the new year…here are a few of the photos and videos I’ve been taking since coming up to see my Catherine
This first video is of me doing a little bit of x-country skiing with Catherine’s parents…this was one of many falls during that day…although, I have to say, I have grace when face-planting into the snow…
This second video takes place at Higgen’s Point where the bald eagles soar…
