Random Plans - Mon., May 27

For having lots of weekend hiking/walking plans, we ended up doing only one thing and it wasn't walking or hiking. Our moonlight hike at Eisenhower Park on Saturday evening was cancelled due to all the rain Friday and Saturday. We decided not to hike at Hill Country State Nature Preserve on Sunday morning due to the forecast for rain, the fact that I have nasty blisters* on the tops of both feet, and Bob was called in to work (as the office move that was supposed to happen on Saturday didn't, so he had to go in Sunday).

[*Blisters are from our Riverwalk - Museum Reach walk last Wednesday evening. I thought it would be okay to wear flip-flops on a four-mile walk because they're comfortable. Hah! Not so. The upper straps rubbed half-inch blisters into the tops of both feet. Ouch! I'm not doing that again.]

Sunday evening we planned to do a Volksmarch in Boerne (pronounced Bernie), Texas, followed by an outdoor band concert. As we drove to Boerne, the sky was black and threatening. We passed by the start for the Volksmarch because I don't like walking in downpours.

On to Plan B which we were going to do after the walk and band concert. The owner of the company that Bob most recently worked for bought a new property that he plans to develop into an event venue called Random. This weekend is his preview opening. The property is about four miles west of Boerne on I-10.

A major downpour had just passed through minutes before we arrived. In fact, it was still sprinkling as we parked the car. On the way to their place, we had to cross a creek. Well, what had been a creek was now a raging river from the aforementioned downpour.

I got out my camera to record the swollen creek. My camera would not turn on. I tried and tried. Bob said, "Did you remember to put the battery back in it?" Um, duh, nope I didn't, no battery. So no photographic evidence. I can tell you, however, the creek was flowing around the trees on the bank and almost to the bottom of the bridge deck. On the downriver side of the bridge the now-swollen creek dropped off and made a ten-foot roaring waterfall.

When we met Michael and Mary at Random, we told them about the creek. Shocked expressions ensued. They had to see this. All four of us walked down to look at it...so dramatic to view. Mary took lots of pics with her smartphone.

Back up at Random, Michael took visitors on a tour of the old house (parts of the house date back to 1840) on the property and told us his vision for a remodel. They plan to put in a wine-and-beer-tasting bar, have a small kitchen to make appetizers and light snacks, fill the rooms with small tables and chairs for people to sit, converse and enjoy the ambiance.

Outside is grassy acreage with which to work. Mary would like to schedule weddings that could be held on the beautiful grassy lawn. Picnic tables are set up around the property for outdoor eating, and big, spreading pecan trees offer shade. Ideas for use of their space include a remote-control car area, crafts barn, community events venue, possibly a petting zoo in a few years.

Their property is next to Boerne City Lake. After we spent time socializing at Random, Bob and I drove the road to Boerne City Lake and drove through the park. Even though a major downpour had passed through a couple of hours before, kids were swimming in the lake and people were out kayaking. The lake is quite large.

We then drove the rest of the road to its end. Along the way we saw herds of Axis deer. One stag was imposingly regal with an enormous set of antlers. Oh, for my camera! He was standing proudly on a hill surrounded by 30 deer, the sun was on him. He looked magnificent.

White-tailed deer also were in the area. On the side of the road, on the other side of a fence, we saw a doe with two very new fawns. They were so little. Adorable.

Today (Memorial Day), Bob is working at his new job. The companies that work in the oil fields don't take very many holidays. I think Bob said they get Christmas off!

In addition to the leak in the front of our 5th wheel in our closet, we also discovered a leak in the back near our rear windows. The carpet is soaked behind one of our recliners. I have a fan blowing on the carpet to dry it off. Now we have to find where the water incursion is occurring. It may be coming in around the window, or it could be coming in at a tear in our seal up at the back corner of our dining room slide.

Today is a quiet day for me. I am hanging out with the cats. Here are a few photos from the past week or so...

"I'm expecting a call. If the phone rings, could you answer it?"

"What you lookin' at? I owe you money or sumpin'?"

Small arm of Inks Lake State Park.

House finch behind our 5th wheel.

House finch.

The End.

Museum Reach of San Antonio's Riverwalk - Wed., May 22

At 7:00 p.m., San Antonio Hill Country Hikers started their walk near La Gloria Restaurant behind the Pearl Brewery. Goal: a four-mile round trip walk to the Houston Street Bridge and back. Twenty-five people walked the walk and talked the talk, some of it trash talk.

A greeting committee consisting of our group leaders welcomes everyone and explains the walk. A group photo is taken at the beginning, then the fast walkers set their pace, and everyone else settles into their own rhythm. Also at the start point, hanging out in the water were mallards, a coot, and a yellow-crowned night heron.

Paul photographing the group at the start.

Placid aquascaping.

Yellow-crowned night heron.

Many blooming flowers along the Riverwalk.

The Museum Reach of the Riverwalk is north of downtown and passes by the San Antonio Museum of Art. Along the Museum Reach are works of art along the bridge overcrossings, under the bridges and along the path.

Hands across the water (bridge overcrossing art)

Faux bois (false wood - concrete) arbor

 Many tile murals line the Riverwalk. Here are a few...

Tile work to beautify an outlet cover.

Tile work depicting the San Antonio River.

Downtown, Tower of the Americas and river in the foreground.

Houston St. Bridge artwork of Mission Concepcion.

Fish art hanging under an interstate bridge; crepe myrtle blossom in foreground.

The Grotto - cement art complete with skull and waterfall.

The Museum Reach is beautiful with many trees and flowers currently in bloom. Jasmine wafted in the air through sections, honeysuckle scent in other sections. The hibiscus are in bloom and have the most vibrant colors - red, orange, yellow, pink. The dramatic trumpet flower has blooms that measure 10"-12".

Trumpet flower.

For Bob and I, these walks give us time to connect and talk about what's going on in our lives and what we plan to do in the future; all while enjoying the fresh air and beautiful surroundings. The temperature was in the high 80s this evening and VERY humid!

Museum Reach of Riverwalk

Another yellow-crowned night heron.

Places to go from the Riverwalk. Well marked path!

When the walk was over, a number of people from the group were going to The Cove for dinner and invited everyone to go. We had never been and decided to check it out. What a good place. One thing Bob and I have noticed about San Antonians is they like to sit outside under a tree, patio, or the evening sky to eat. The Cove has a large outdoor seating area with a small, air-conditioned inside area (the bar). Bob and I both had "Lisa's Special" which is two tilapia soft tacos made with cabbage and poblano sauce, along with a spinach salad for $9. That was the perfect ending to our four-mile walk.

We returned home at 9:30 p.m. Thank you to the Hill Country Hikers. You have a knack for making people feel welcome and a part of the group from the first outing.

Travel Bug out.

Inks Lake State Park, Texas - Sun., May 19

San Antonio Hill Country Hikers came through again with another fun day. Bob and I left San Antonio at 7:10 a.m. and drove to Inks Lake State Park two hours directly north of us.

State Park Hwy 4 west from US 281 is a roller-coaster of a road, literally. As you crest the first hill, you can't see the bottom of the road. It is very steep. The road goes up and down a number of times, not to mention the tight 35 mph curvy section closer to the park entrance. Vehicles towing RVs and boats beware!!

The only delay in our drive was a flipped over pontoon boat by a curve near the park. The local police had one lane blocked to route cars around the accident. We could not see a tow vehicle so we're wondering what happened to it. The pontoon boat was a total loss. It was flipped up on one side, but looked like it had somersaulted as the top was crushed. This was a minor, five-minute inconvenience.

At the park entrance gate, we showed our state park pass and were given a vehicle window sticker for day use. We located the parking lot at the trailhead and waited for more people to arrive. While waiting, Bob took a nap and I met Pam, Marguerite, Mike, and Samantha who were gearing up in the parking lot.

Twenty people later we were off, walking at a good clip along the green trail to Inks Lake. The highlights of this hike were the wildflowers, the trails, lake views, expansive granite outcrops and the cacti. However, there are a lot of exposed areas, i.e., no shade. If you plan to hike here, be sure to put on sunscreen and take lots of water! Start as early in the day as possible if the temperature is going  into the 90-100 F. range.

Bob ready to roll.

Prickly pear and brown-eyed Susans.

Paul leading the pack.

Pink granite and yellow stonecrop.

The geology around Inks Lake dates back millenia and showcases pre-Cambrian pinkish granite-like metamorphic rock called Spring Valley Gneiss which was formed from re-crystallized sedimentary rock. The sparkles in the rock come from feldspar minerals. Throughout our hike, we crossed large areas of gneiss with the lovely little yellow stonecrop succulents living in the vernal "pools." These succulents thrive in limestone, sandstone and granite. The yellow stonecrop lives in the vernal (spring) depressions in the rock to absorb and use moisture stored in the pools.

Yucca fireworks (with brown-eyed Susans).

Yellow stonecrop.

The trail is rated moderate. You must keep an eye out for rocks and roots on the trail. Hiking poles would be a good trail aid at this park.

Paul took us to the top of a granite outcropping. The view of Inks Lake was great from this viewpoint.

Find your own way to the top.

Top of the hill.

View of the lake and dam from the top of the granite hill.

Here are photos from this part of the hike.

Amanda removing stickers from Lucky.

Consulting the map...where are we anyway?

Hill Country Hikers hitting their stride.

I want to go there, and we did.

Lovely wildflower (rose gentian/Texas star) all by itself.

Texas paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa)

Inks Lake State Park landscape.

Bull nettle (Cnidoscolus texanus)

The trail wound up, around, over, down, and through rocks.

Cool rock.

Yours truly on the rocks.

...and Bob rockin' out.

I wasn't kidding about lots of rocks!

Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata)

Pencil cactus with bright red berries.

If you ever watched the old TV series, the Addams Family, you will recognize the following...

Cousin Itt cactus (my name for it)

More Inks Lake landscapes.

Natural xeriscaping (dry landscaping).

This cactus is cheering for us, "You can do it!"

I LOVE this little white lace cactus. The star design is gorgeous.

The brown-eyed Susans were up to our thighs.

Hey, for once I'm ahead of the pack!

With 5.9 miles under our belts, we drove to another part of the park for a picnic lunch and a one mile hike to Devil's Waterhole swimming area. The weather was hot and humid. Bob could hardly wait to get in the swimmin' hole. I sat in the shade, took photos, and avoided ants and mosquitoes.

Visitor to our picnic area.

Lizard on the rocks.

Winecup flower under spotted beebalm.

Swimming hole, too stagnant for Bob and others in our group.

Scenery by the trail. Our group did not swim here.

Bob negotiating the rocks at Devil's Waterhole to climb higher.

Bob said the rocks were very slippery! He had to be very careful.

As you can see in the photo below, Bob enjoyed the jump into refreshing lake water. After Bob's first jump, a large group of people arrived who were drinking beer, smoking and being obnoxious. The young men of the group climbed to the top of the large rocks and leapt out over the lower rocks for more of a rush. I'm happy I did not witness anyone hitting the rocks on their way down! We left shortly after.

[An aside: At some Oregon swimming holes, people die or become quadriplegic after hitting rocks trying to jump from too high. One swimming hole in Oregon, High Rocks, had to close to public swimming because drunk people were climbing the trees on the cliffs and trying to jump out far enough to miss the rocks. If they didn't hit the rocks on the way down, they hit the rocks under the water. Sad.]

People jumping from the rocks above where most
people dive. Bob is 6' tall, so we can guess these
taller rocks add another 20' in elevation to the jump.

Photo below is Bob jumping from the safer (lower) height. To the left in the photo, you can see the edge of the bottom of the rocks above.

Bob launching himself into the air.

Bob hitting the water (bottom left).

Okay kids, don't try this at home. Bob grew up in Hawaii and has been jumping off cliffs into the water since he was seven or eight years old.

With Bob refreshed and reinvigorated, we headed about a quarter mile back to the car and called it a day. As we drove toward US 281, we stopped so I could take a photo of a castle on the hill. We had no idea what it was, so I Googled it. You can read about Falkenstein Castle here.

The photos on their website do it more justice.

Bob wanted to know how Inks Lake got its name so I Googled that too. Inks Lake was named for Roy Inks, a Llano businessman and mayor, who worked on funding to build a dam on the Colorado River to provide power. The funding of the dam became an obsession for Inks which resulted in him being named Director of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). He died before the dam was completed. Because of his efforts in securing monies for the dam, the lake was named after him, along with the dam.

We stopped on the way home for dinner. In the evening we watched 60 Minutes and The Discovery Channel's North America.

Travel Bug out.