On Our Way To San Antonio-Catching Up

     I can't believe it has been since Lake Charles, Louisiana that I was able to make my last post. Our internet connections have been less than stellar and extremely frustrating to get and more importantly stay connected. I am trying tonight and hopefully will be able to get a little done.

Just a little catch up from the Superbowl. There was a friendly wager over the outcome of the game.Just saying, size doesn't necessarily matter in the outcome of sports.Go Ravens!

     We crossed into Texas and headed up to the Hill Country which was taking us to revisit Fredericksburg. It a small German settlement much like our Frankenmuth, but is the hometown of Admiral Nimitz and the Pacific War Museum.
     Our first evening stop along the way was Bastrop State Park. It is a beautiful park that had a fire rage through it September 2011. It is under reconstruction now. What a shame because it appeared that it suffered heavy loss of older pine trees and camp structures. The bathrooms and showers were closed but repairs are underway.

     All the trees painted white are coming down The park hoped they would come back this year, but they are brittle and are breaking, so they have to come down. They believe a spark from a limb falling on a power line caused the fire.

     Our next stop was just up the road apiece and located in Blanco, Texas. We stayed at Blanco State Park. I was a tiny park, only about 40 sites but was in town and delightful. It is situated along the spring fed Blanco River. There are several dams the created falls that people actually swim in. The one lane bridge into the camp is at the level of the water and some times is below water.  The camp actually has another exit to use if flooding does occur. We were able to ride our bikes, hike, and walk the pups in the evening. Toby and Belle came face to face with cows and the resident Llama of the camp.

                                                 Isn't he hilarious?

     The park had a Civil War event in the campground and schools from the area bussed students in and they spent the day learning about cavalry life and the hardships of wartime way back when.
     This was another park with buildings created in the thirties by the Civilian Conservation Corp. The structures, walls, grills, picnic tables and such are still there and beautiful.

The waterfalls within the park are scenic and provide recreation to the community during warmer weather.

We hiked along the banks of the Blanco River. Note the walking stick, Bill completely wore through the rubber tip on the end tackling the terrain.
  

     The town of Blanco had some interesting history and the courthouse was in the opening scene of the movie remake of  True Grit.

                              This is the first motorcycle club in the tiny town of Blanco.

                                                   A very old house.

                                         Recycling old truck beds into a u-haul business.

                                                 Thinking about those at home.....

                                                Flowers in bloom......February

                                               A beautiful garden

     We spent one day in Fredericksburg touring the town. On our last visit, we spent the entire day at the Pacific War Museum and didn't spend much time seeing the other historic parts of the city.  SOOOOOO, that is what we did this time. We saw Admiral Nimitz house, a brew haus, and had lunch in a local German restaurant Yummm.

                                                   More recycling

                                                    More yard art

           This is a Sunday House, built for families coming into town for Sunday services.

                                                          A sister city

                                                   The original St Mary's Catholic Church

                                                        The New St Mary's Church

     We spent the entire day just walking around and still didn't get to see the entire Texas Hill Country. The LBJ Ranch and Historical Park, the Enchanted Rock Park, and Wildflower Trails are still some of the things we would like to see. Maybe another time.
     We are talking about spending our winter in Texas next year, exclusively, because it is just huge and every section is different.
     We moved just thirty miles to Guadalupe River State Park on our way to San Antonio. It appears to be the closest State Park to the city so we may stay here.

 
     We are waiting to hear if Fred and Nancy Perzanowski will be in the area while we are here. If so, we will spend a few days with them. They have not been to San Antonio and we would love to show them around a little.
     After that, I think we will be heading back to Florida to meet Norm to join him on his well deserved Carnival Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean for seven days. The employees at the company where he worked gave him the cruise for his retirement. He asked us to come along and we are so excited to join him. 
     I hope you are all well and enjoying the snow, ha ha. I am sure the kids are loving it as well as the snow days from school. It has been a little cool here. I wish it was warmer but it is still great traveling weather. Love you all.