Sara's hikey campy thread...

[76k5grrl]

Barefoot in the river. I don't wear shoes unless I have to.



But that was only the first part of the trip.



For the second part we went to South Llano River, which is billed as "pristine" in a book called "50 places to fish before you die". Since my man is an avid fly fisherman.....

 

[76k5grrl]

The river WAS pretty. But the campground was VERY popular.... And completely full. We made the best of it with a few beautiful hikes that were otherwise completely untrod.

 

[76k5grrl]

Sunset on a late evening to dark hike that was a little nerve racking because of the pig snare we happened upon. Apparently pigs are a problem there, something NOT noted by the rangers.

 

[76k5grrl]

We made awesome dinner that night and slept really well... Awoke about 5 am to rolling thunder so I got up to fly the tent properly and stow the gear
...
.
And it's a dam good thing I did- we had TORRENTIAL rain and crazy wind lightning thunder from about 6 am to maybe 930? Inadvertent gear test and I am *very* pleased to report only very minimal leaking of my fly, which is about 13 years old, and NO leaking of my tent floor- same age- in spite of the flash flood-like rivulates running right under us. I could literally feel the water running and we stayed dry. When we emerged, everyone- and I do mean EVERY SINGLE other tent camper was gone.

 

[76k5grrl]

From during the storm

 

[76k5grrl]

Since we couldn't make our coffee at site we headed to breakfast in town, which is where I found the following gem...

And had the priceless pleasure of local old men shooting the sh*t about the towns newest mining operation and how the trucks were going to tear up the road. Worth it. You can't buy that kind of American experience anywhere else.

We also rolled by the dam and the community center to check out the labor day festivities which appeared to be cancelled due to weather.

 

[76k5grrl]

When we got back, my man went fishing and I went hiking, so the remaining pics are from my hike.

Serious hikers need not apply at South Llano River state park- the pitches are bitches but its all roads- paved and/or well traveled by jeep or gator. The views are not really worth the hiking effort. The jeep roads lead to several deer blinds. I was hoping to see wildlife but it was scarce. There are state sponsored bird blinds that are beautiful but by no means are they "wild". Mostly buzzards although I did surprise one hawk. Too fast for pics, as usual. Billions of fatass deer everywhere.

 

[76k5grrl]

A girls best friend....

 

[76k5grrl]

Perfect hiking weather post-storm

 

[76k5grrl]

Look close for cardinals

And I couldn't resist the beetle because it blew my mind how they were working together....

 

[shady]

A girls best friend....

Wait.... I don't see a rabbit ANYWHERE in those pics




awesome pics,,, I love this thread. I haven't camped ONCE this year

 

[76k5grrl]

Ahhhhh the rabbit.... Well, I had my man with me so... He's in a couple of these pics

 

[76k5grrl]

Finally.... On my way down the hill I strayed from the trail, as is my routine, and stumbled upon what I can only describe as some creepy rob zombie sh*t. It was a big pit, man dug, with water from the rain. Buzzards all over the fn place. And littered with.... Parts. Hoofs, skulls, hides ( looked like pig). Bones. All picked clean. Some in the mud body soup, some not. The creepy part was there were these 2 chairs- like old office chairs- at the lip of the pit, and a weird box that looked like... Dog sized. There were several other boxes a ways off. I'll be honest, I didn't dare investigate. I assume it's where the rangers drag the found dead bodies, no predator except man behaves this way. I started to take pics then was afraid I was running too late to meet by agreed time so I only got a few. But you can be damn sure I went into the murder pit to get a skull..... Cleaned up nice, too.

 

[76k5grrl]

Finally .... A tiny jumpy spider who hitched a ride on my day pack

 

[76k5grrl]

All in all, a good trip. I recommend South Llano for bird nerds only- there are a ton. There is also a beautiful swimming hole that was a nice relief after the hot river at the previous site, but I don't recommend tubing it- too many poisonous snakes. Kayaking would have been nice.

The boyfriend says fishing at the state park is a bust. Maybe the private waterfronts are better, to which it appears you can request access fairly easily.

Hiking for beginners. Better camping if you're an rv camper. Lots of wildlife in the lowlands by the river. A good place for kids. In no way as rough as Co Bend.

I think we are planning an Oklahoma trip in the next 60 days or so....

 

[bigjbear]

Cool stuff. I'm digging the dung beetles. What are the yellow tomato looking things?

 

[76k5grrl]

Just saw this... No idea what the tomato dealies were...

Next.


As some of you already know, I'm having some significant issues with the significant other. Best remedy?

HIKEY CAMPY!!

Cedar Hill State Park is like 20 min from my house. I've hiked it but never camped. Just staying one night to cleanse the proverbial pallet.
My campsite below. And then.. The best medicine- sitting at lake on my roll bar ( yeah yeah it's a jeep- boooo) with my radio blasting out the world. I have the place pretty much to myself. Hikey pics tomorrow

 

[76k5grrl]

My view for the next 2 days

 

[76k5grrl]

Give thanks every single day. Who knew such a treasure was so close...

 

[76k5grrl]

Holy Texas