Del Rio, Texas

so long summer. even though we are still hitting those triple digit temperatures here in texas the nights are getting cooler and the fall winds are beginning to blow. 

we set our sights west to the us/mexico border, with plans of kayaking and camping. driving along the desolate border are where the rio grande splits the two countries we spent the day surveying every entry point we could find off the highway. after finding the perfect spot we packed up our gear and hit the water. 

spending several hours exploring and swimming we found the perfect spot to set up camp for the night. paddling through the canyon bends a patch of lush green grass presented itself in the distance, an oasis of color in a limestone filled area. 

 just as we were about to set up our tent we noticed some very ominous clouds in the distance, accompanied by a nonstop barrage of lighting strikes. this being texas, we assumed the storm would dissipate before it reached us, but when the winds picked up we knew it was headed right for us.  

a quick decision to pack it up and head back to the launching point was made. paddling furiously we reached the shore just as the skies began to open up, dumping more rain and lighting on us than we've seen in a long time. a reminder that the seasons are about to change.

Field Trip - Sunrise at Enchanted Rock

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an early morning alarm wakes me from my slumber, in my groggy state i make some coffee and head out into the darkness. two hours west through the texas hill country to enchanted rock state park, and just as i pull into the parking lot the first glimpses of sun begin to kiss the giant granite formation. i hustle up the rock and make it to the top right as the sun fully shows itself over the eastern horizon. i sit in solitude, snapping photos and taking in the sweeping views amidst a whipping morning wind. 

i make my way over to the "caves" which are actually just passage ways created by massive boulders when i run into a group of early morning rock climbers. we exchange pleasantries before going our separate ways.

as the park begins to fill up i head back down enchanted rock and up turkey peak directly across from where i just stood. upon reaching the top i again sit in solace watching, from a distance, the hoards of people making their way up the rock. 

i spend several hours rambling around the park, watching the sun illuminate the land. and before the heat of the texas summer begins to pick up i am already on my way home. 



Field Trip - Bastrop State Park

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we returned to bastrop state park a mere five months after our first visit and the regrowth is amazing and abundant. even in the heat of the texas summer new growth is flourishing and flora is beginning to carpet the ground. although the park is slowly making a come back, the charred loblolly pines standing tall above the forest floor still serve as a stark reminder of the devastation that occurred during the wildfire of two thousand and eleven. 

Mustang Island, Texas

we had high hopes of camping at padre island national seashore this weekend, at seventy miles it is known for being the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. unfortunately as soon as we drove up to the beach we were greeted with deep soft sand, something we couldn't tackle with our small car. so we turned around and headed to the always reliable mustang island, but we shall return someday when we have a four wheel drive vehicle. 

after cruisin' the packed beach for a suitable spot we set up camp and cooled off by jumping right into the waves; well as much as you can cool off in the waters of the gulf coast in the middle of summer. 

the night was spent swimming under the star filled sky and around the camp fire where hot dogs, s'mores and stories were shared.