Camping

Growing up, camping wasn't much of a family activity. I went with Girl Scouts a few times and we slept in cabins. We had fires and roasted marshmallows and slept in sleeping bags. We fought off daddy long leg spiders and drew things on the top of the cabin with our flashlights for the others to guess. About 6 years ago I went camping with some friends. Then again a few months later and more recently i've been about 3-4 times in the last few years. I absolutely love it. Germs don't bother me when i'm camping. I still carry my Purell and am careful not to touch too much with super dirty hands, but I don't need to shower 18 times a day and clothes can be worn more than once. I think it's a very freeing experience for my crazy mind. So this weekend I went with Tam and the kids and the Carr's. Tam, the kids and I left Austin around 2:30p and drove out to Garner State Park.

We arrived around 6p. The park was closed and supposedly super full, so we didn't know where our camp site was. We found the park store, fortunately and contacted the park police. They informed us to pick a spot and go to the office in the morning. So we drove around, in the dark, looking for a spot. We finally found one, found out there was no water or electricity and decided it would do. Much to my dismay as the idea of not having water or electricity freaked me out a bit at first. After my panic attack, I set up the tent. Fortunatly M was in the helpful mood and held flashlights and hammered (attempted) in stakes. The Carr's showed up around 10 but we had all gone to bed as it was about 40 degrees and we had a charcoal fire to cook, but it's not very bone warming...

I think we heard that it was 36 degrees while we slept on Saturday night. I felt it. The moment my head poked out of my sleeping bag, I retreated. My ears and nose were frozen.

Sunday we were supposed to go to Lost Maples, but heard there was an hour wait to get into the park, so we hiked the "easy" trail instead. It was straight up, not my idea of easy. Rocks, dirt and more rocks. We saw an Armadillo! My first live Armadillo. They hop when they run. It was hilarious. And apparently the only excitement. I did save M from tumbling down the mountain. He said that I saved his life...I think that may have been an exaggeration. It was a good hike. It wasn't exactly the best hiking trail for a bunch of kids and a tiny baby in a carrier though... And, although we didn't get to the cave that we originally set out for, the view and experience was just as much fun.

We also hung out by the Frio River and threw rocks across the river using trees as target practice. There were many rock sculptures created and the leaves of the trees along the river had turned a vibrant orange. But only along the river. In some of the aerial (from our hike) pictures you can see the S of the river with the color of the trees.

Sunday night wasn't much easier to sleep. It was much warmer, but the wind has picked up a considerable amount. The tent was flapping in the wind as we weren't blocked by any trees. Fortunately the tent held and we didn't fly away. I can't say it didn't cross my mind if it was possible. It also started to rain. The rain fly was on top of the tent, but sometimes the water still manages it's way into the seams. I don't know how, but everything stayed pretty dry. A few small drops made their way in, but it was only this morning that I found them.

We packed up and made our way back to Austin this morning. G had bronchitis last week and was still feeling puny, so we left as soon as things were ready.

Now I am home and doing laundry. It's been a packed few weeks and it's time to decompress before round two: The Junior League Christmas Show (selling candles) and Thanksgiving and then, the Armadillo.

On a different note, some of my family is coming into town for Thanksgiving and i'm incredibly excited to see them all!

Here are a few of the many pics taken this weekend

Garner State Park Camping