Flo's January 2012 Travels

January Camping Adventures 2012


   

click on each photo for more pictures of Goliad State Park and Gonzales Park


   

     Gonzales Park                                                         Goliad County Courthouse


LOCATION:  Goliad, Texas    SITE:  Goliad State Park
DATE:  01/16/2012 to 01/17/2012    SPACE:  11    TRIP:  81    DISTANCE:  150 miles

Monday January 16, 2012

On the way to Goliad State Park we stopped in Gonzales for lunch at the Independence Park. The park had soccer fields, baseball fields, camping and RV parking, group picnicking, county fairgrounds, a playground and a walking trail. As we were walking to the trail we saw a small waterfall that was formed by the river. The walking trail starts at a sign that tells the history of Gonzales and runs by the river and around the park. We didn’t walk the trail but we did read the sign and look at the waterfall. After our little walk we drove around the park before we continued our adventure to Goliad State Park.

The city of Goliad is a mile from the state park and very small so we decided to check it out. As we were driving down the highway we saw Goliad county courthouse so we stopped because mom wanted to take a few pictures. After mom took pictures we went to Goliad State Park. Goliad State Park has three historic sites that tells the history of Texas. The sites are Mission Espiritu Santo, Mission Rosario and Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza.birthplace.

As we entered the park we saw Mission Espiritu Santo which is a gorgeous mission. Dad checked in and then we drove to our campsite. After finding the site mom and dad made camp for a couple of nights. Afterwards we sat in our chairs and relaxed. As we were sitting in our chairs our neighbors came out and they had a golden retriever named Saddler. I barked for him and his mom asked if it was ok for him to play with me. Mom and dad said of course it was. I didn't know that he was going to come off to play so I was a little surprise when he came running to me. After Saddler left we went inside to take a little nap because we had driven about three hours and we were tired. After our nap we went for a walk around the park. We walked a trail that took us by the San Antonio River and by Mission Espiritu Santo and the playground. We didn't walked on the mission grounds because I wasn't allowed but we had a nice walk. When we got back it was dinnertime so mom made tacos for dinner. She also fed me my dinner. After dinner we sat outside until it started to get dark.    


   
 
 Mission Espiritu Santo                                             hiking at Goliad State Park

Tuesday January 17, 2012

We woke up at 7:45 and had a little breakfast. After breakfast we went on an hour and half hike. We hiked along the river to the tent camping areas and under the highway to the other camping area. The park has two tent areas and both areas were located on the river and were very nice. The trail was wide and easy to hike. When we got to the highway 183 the trail went under it so we didn't have to cross the busy highway. On the other side of the highway was the other camping area. This camping area was a big parking lot. Sites were on each end of the parking lot and in the middle. Each site had electric and water. The sites that were in middle, picnic tables were in a grass field so if you wanted to use them you had to walk to the picnic table with your number on it. Behind the camping area there is a swimming pool, which is operated by the city of Goliad. After we walked around the camping area and pool we headed back. The trail we hiked were wide and easy to hike. It was humid so by the time we got back we were hot and tired. We sat in our chairs, I slept, mom worked on her Sudoku book and dad read until lunchtime. For lunch mom heated up some chili and noodles and mom gave me a milk bone. After we finished eating we stayed inside for awhile watching the cardinals. When the cardinals flew away we went outside and sat in our chairs. After relaxing in our chairs for awhile mom and dad decided they wanted to walk to the mission so I was put inside the Minnie. They were gone about an hour. Mom and dad told me that Mission Espiritu Santo was very beautiful. The mission was established in 1722 by Franciscan priests continued being used until 1830  when declining Indian populations, lack of money and political turmoil in Mexico forced it to close. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) resorted the mission from 1935 to 1941. After walking through the mission they toured the museum to learn more about the history of the mission and how it was resorted. When they finished touring the museum they hiked a small nature trail. During their hike they hiked through trees, over a couple of bridges and up a couple sets of stairs. They had a great hike. I was happy when they got back. After we said our hellos we went back outside and sat in our chairs. When dinnertime came around mom made tacos for dinner and fed me my food. After dinner we went outside again and sat in our chairs. When it started to get dark we went inside and called it a night. We had a great time at Goliad State Park. We met a lot of people and I met a few dogs.


   

click on each photo for more pictures of History of Goliad and Choke Canyon State Park


   

Presidio La Bahia                                                              Nine flags over Goliad


LOCATION:  Calliham, Texas    SITE:  Choke Canyon State Park
DATE:  01/18/2012 to 01/19/2012    SPACE:  127    TRIP:  81    DISTANCE:  78 miles


Wednesday January 18, 2012

We woke up about 7:45 and had a little breakfast. After breakfast we walked around the campground and to General Ignacio Zaragoza birthplace. We weren't sure what to expect but we were very impressed because there was a huge statue of General Ignacio Zaragoza and a beautiful historic place called Presidio La Bahia. Mom and dad wanted to tour the museum and get a closer look of Presidio La Bahia but I was with them so they couldn't. When we got back to our campsite we broke camp. After leaving Goliad State Park we stopped by Presidio La Bahia so mom and dad could tour it. Mission Espiritu Santo was built adjacent to Presidio La Bahia. The Presidio was a Spanish fort in 1721. As mom and dad toured the museum they the history of Presidio La Bahia. The Presidio's chapel is still being used and is run by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria. They couldn't walk in the chapel because it was being repainted but they did walk around the Presidio's grounds. When they returned to the Minnie we continued our adventure to Choke Canyon State Park.

We arrived at Choke Canyon State Park about 1:30. As we were driving to the campground we saw a few deer and when we got to our site we set up camp for a couple of nights. When we finished mom made sandwiches for lunch and gave me a milk bone. After lunch mom and dad took me down to the lake so I could go swimming. I didn't swim too long but I did have fun. After I swam we walked around the park for about an hour. We walked to the shelters and boat ramp. As we were walking we saw wild turkeys walking in the trees. We were going to walk a little longer but I was getting tired so we went back to our site. On the way back we saw an armadillo, when I saw it I started to bark at it. We had a great walk. When we got back to our site we sat in our chairs and relaxed. We watched a hawk hunting and waved at people walking by. When dinnertime came around dad barbecued some pork up. Then mom cut up the pork and made some pitas for dinner and fed me my food. After dinner we walked around the park before calling it a night. At the beginning of our walk we saw a lot of deer grazing in the campground. The deer didn't seem too scared of people because when we got close they didn't run away. We didn't go too far when we met a man and his dog. The dog was very friendly so we visit with them until it got dark.


   

Enjoying Choke Canyon Lake                                          One of the camping shelters

   

An armadillo in the trees                                                             A hawk                     

   

Sunset at Choke Canyon State Park                                    Dad and I hiking the trails          

Thursday January 19, 2012

We woke up about 7:45 and had breakfast. After breakfast we went for a hike we hiked for a couple of hours. The hiked to the shelters, boat ramp, tent area, 75 Acre Lake and by the Group area. The trails were very nice and easy to walk. As we hiked we saw a lot of deer and turkeys. When we got to the 75 Acre Lake we sat at a covered ramada and rested. After our rest we headed back to our campsite. We were going to take the hike trails back but when we got to the main road we saw the wild turkeys walking along the road so we followed them until they went in the trees. We continued walking down the road because we were almost back to our site. Our neighbors were driving to the office when they saw us and stopped to visit. After they left we continued our walk. When we got back we went to our chairs to relax. I was glad we were back because I was very tired. We relaxed in our chairs until lunchtime. Mom and dad went inside to have pitas for lunch. While they ate their lunch I stayed outside because I was too tired to move and also the sun was out and I like to sun. After they finished eating they came back out to relax. We spent the afternoon relaxing in our chairs I slept, dad read and mom worked on her Sudoku book. Mom and dad tired to get me to go for a walk to the bathroom but I just walked far enough to take care of business and then mom took me back to our site. Dad went to the bathroom and mom stayed with me. When dad came back he told mom that he saw a fawn, a doe laying down in the trees and an armadillo. After he told mom about what he saw she decided to go to bathroom. When she came back she told dad she didn't see the fawn or the armadillo but she did see a few deer laying down in the trees. A little before dinner mom and dad did take me for a short walk. We walked down to the lake. I wanted to go swimming but dad wouldn't let me because it was too late. When we got back dad barbecued some sausage patties to make sandwiches out of for dinner and mom gave me my food. After dinner mom and dad went to the bathroom to take a shower. While mom was waiting for dad she met a lady and her two dogs. When dad finished his shower and said hi to the dogs and the lady mom and dad came back to the Minnie. When they came back we called it a night. We had a fantastic time at Choke Canyon State Park because we met a few people and dogs and show a lot of wildlife (deer, armadillos, hawk, ducks, turkeys and cottontails).



click on photo for more pictures of Lake Corpus Christi State Park

LOCATION:  Mathis, Texas    SITE:  Lake  Corpus Christi State Park
DATE:  01/20/2012 to 01/21/2012    SPACE:  09    TRIP:  81    DISTANCE:  52 miles


Friday January 20, 2012

We woke up about 7:45 and had breakfast. Today we're going to leave Choke Canyon State Park and going to Lake Corpus Christi State Park. Before we left Choke Canyon we did another walk around the park. We walked to the shelters area and the boat ramp. We walked a couple of small trails to get there. As we walking the last trail to the boat ramp parking lot we saw a small group of wild turkeys walking on the trail I started to run after them but I didn't go too far because I knew I couldn't catch them. This wasn't the most exciting thing that happened during our walk. There was this big oak tree right at the parking lot and there was a big group of wild turkeys roosting in it. When they heard us coming they flew into the bush. This was outstanding because you don't see this everyday!!!! While walking around the parking lot we said hi to a couple of guys getting ready to go fishing and when we got to the lake there was a man and woman just finishing up fishing. Mom took a few pictures and then we headed back to the campground. On the way back we saw a couple of cottontails and I ran after them. When we got back to the Minnie mom and dad broke camp.

We arrived at Lake Corpus Christi State Park about 10:30 and dad checked in for two nights. This park doesn't have any hiking trails but it does have a lake. After we set up camp we walked around the campground. We didn't walk too long because I was tired so we went back and relaxed in our chairs. At lunchtime mom heated up sausage patties for lunch and she gave me a milk bone. We spent the afternoon just relaxing in our chairs. As we were relaxing we watched people showing up to camp and people walking their dogs. Mom worked on her Sudoku book, dad read and I slept. When it was time for dinner mom made ham pitas for dad and her and she fed me my food. It was warm in the Minnie so after dinner we sat outside until it started to cool off. It got to 85 degrees today.   

Saturday January 21, 2012

Today we woke up at 7:45 and had breakfast. After breakfast we went for a walk around the campground we didn't go too far when mom and dad took me back to the Minnie because I really didn't feel like walking because the weather was foggy and damp. After they put me in the Minnie they went for a walk. There aren't any hiking trails at Lake Corpus Christi State Park so they were only gone about an hour. They walked over to the campground without power, the shelters and a CCC Pavilion. The campground without power had sites that were right on the lake and it had a very nice fishing pier. As they walked around the shelters they noticed some of the shelters had air conditions and were fully enclosed. The other shelters were screened in and didn't have air condition. After looking at the shelters mom and dad went down to The CCC Pavilion was very nice. It had a big archway with a red brick walkway that went to an overview of the lake. There was also a red brick staircase that went to an open area that looks over the lake. Mom didn't take too many pictures because it was too foggy. When they got back to me we said our hellos and then went outside for a little while. We weren't out too long because the weather was too nasty. We spent most of the day inside mom did her Sudoku book, dad read and I slept. Mom heated up some soup for lunch and she gave me a milk bone. The fog cleared out about 3 so mom and dad took me for a short walk down by the lake. We didn't go all the way to the lake because there were too many people fishing on the banks but I did have fun just watching them. After watching them for a little while we went back to the Minnie. When dinnertime came around dad barbecued bacon for sandwiches and mom fed me my food. After dinner we went for walk. We walked to the shelters and around the campground. I was ready to go for a walk this time because the fog was gone and it was a little cooler. As we were walking around the shelters a couple of little girls said hi to us. When we were walking back to our site we saw a couple of cottontails and a few deer. Today was a very relaxing day.


  

click on photo for more pictures of Mustang Island State Park

        

Meeting a new friend on the beach                                          Playing with the sea gulls           


LOCATION:  Port Aransas, Texas    SITE:  Mustang Island State Park
DATE:  01/22/2012    SPACE:  44    TRIP:  81    DISTANCE:  73 miles

Sunday January 22, 2012

We woke up about 7:30 and ate a little breakfast. After breakfast we went for a walk around the campground. We walked down to the lake where we saw our neighbor. We visited with him for awhile and then we continued our walk. The weather wasn't as foggy as it was yesterday but it still was overcast. During our walk we saw a little fishing boat on the lake and a couple of people fishing on the bank. When we got back to the Minnie we broke camp. Our stay at Lake Corpus Christi State Park was very relaxing but now it's time to move on the Mustang Island State Park.

After leaving Lake Corpus Christi State Park we stopped in Corpus Christi to do a little shopping and laundry. We were only going to be camping for a week but we're having so much fun we decided to camp longer so we had to get a little more supplies. We arrived at Mustang Island State Park about 2:00. Dad went to the office and paid for a night. The campground at Mustang Island is like a parking lot and you don't have a lot of privacy so that's why we decided just to stay a night. After we set up camp we walked to the ocean so we could walk the beach. As we walked on the beach we saw a family playing with the sea gulls, I met a new friend, people we walking on the beach and fishing. Mustang Island also has a campground on the beach but it doesn't have any hookups. We didn't stay on the beach because it's hard enough to keep the Minnie sand free and if we were on the beach we would track a lot more sand in the Minnie. I really liked walking on the beach because the sand is so soft and felt good on my feet. We had a great walk. When we got back to our site we sat in our chairs and relaxed. While we were relaxing we met our neighbors. One neighbor had a dog and while mom and his dad visit we checked each other out. A little later our other neighbors came over to visit. The other neighbors was a family that had two young boys and a dog. I had a great afternoon meeting new friends and their families. When dinnertime came around mom heated up the leftover bacon and made sandwiches for dad and her. Mom also heated up some pork n beans and fed me my food. After dinner we walked around the campground and then we called it a night.





click on photo for more pictures of Goose Island State Park


   

    A ferry ride Port Aransas                                     Riding a bicycle around Rockport

   

Pelicans hang out on a pier in th bay at Goose Island         Camping on the beach at Goose Island State Park


LOCATION:  Rockport, Texas    SITE:  Goose Island State Park
DATE:  01/23/2012    SPACE:  105    TRIP:  81    DISTANCE:  21 miles 

Monday January 23, 2012

Today we woke up about 7:30 and had breakfast. After breakfast we went for a walk to the beach. As we were walking to the beach I met a new friend and his mom. After everyone finished saying our hellos we all continued our walks. When we got to the beach we walked around for a little while. The weather was a lot better today and the fog had lifted so we could see the ocean. We had a great walk on the beach I met another new friend and we saw people walking the beach and getting ready to go fishing. We had a great time walking the beach at Mustang Island State Park.

Today we're going to stay the night at Goose Island State Park. We've been here before but we didn't stay the night so it's very exciting to be staying the night. In order for us to leave Mustang Island we had to take a ferry across the bay in Port Aransas. It was a short ride but we were the first one on the ferry so we had a great view. When we got across the bay we drove to Rockport which was about 30 miles. Once we were there we drove around the city to check out the bay and the shops. As we were driving around the marina we saw a man riding a cool bike. After driving around we went to Goose Island State Park. When we got to the park dad went to the office to see if there were any openings, the lady in the office told dad there were some openings. She told him to drive around and find a site. Once we found a site we went back to the office and checked in. When we returned to our site we set up camp for the night and then dad barbecued some sausage patties for lunch and mom gave me a milk bone. After lunch we went to our chairs and relaxed for a little while. When we finished relaxing we went for a walk to the beach. During our walk we walked by the picnic area, recreation hall and fish cleaning/bait stand. When we got to the bay we saw a lot of gray and white pelicans in the bay and a couple of air boats in the parking lot. At Goose Island if you wanted to you could camp on the beach and these sites had electric and water so we saw people camping on the beach. There was a section on the beach called Stinky Beach because of the seagrass plants that grow at Goose Island go dormant during the winter and shed their leaves. We were going to walk to the big fish pier but I was starting to get tired so we headed back to our site. Once back at the site we relaxed in our chairs. About 3:00 dad barbecued some chicken gizzards and chicken hearts for me. We were all going to be camping for a week so mom only bought enough food for me for a week. Now that we're going to camping another week my breakfast and dinner going to be gizzards and hearts. I'm going to be eating very good for the remaining of our adventure. When dad was finished barbecuing the gizzard and hearts mom cut them up in smaller pieces. By the time she finished doing that it was dinnertime. Mom and dad had ham sandwiches and baked beans and I had the rest of my food. When we finished dinner we went for a walk around the campground. As we were walking we met a couple of dogs and some people. When we got back to the Minnie we folded up our chairs and then went inside for the rest of the night.     





click on photo for more pictures of Palmetto State Park

   

Standing on the low crossing bridge before the rain                   The lower crossing bridge after the rain  

   

A building built by the Civilian Conservation Corps                   A deer hiding in the trees during a hike    


LOCATION:  Ottine, Texas    SITE:  Palmetto State Park
DATE:  01/24/2012 - 01/25/2012    SPACE:  14   TRIP:  81    DISTANCE:  136 miles

Tuesday January 24, 2012

We woke up about 7: 30 and it was raining a little so we weren't in any hurry to leave Goose Island. While we were waiting for the rain to stop we had breakfast. After breakfast the rain had stopped so mom and dad took me for a walk around the campground. We were going to hike a short nature trail but the rain started up a little so we went back to the Minnie. When we got back we got the Minnie ready to go. After getting ready to go we began our adventure to Palmetto State Park. It rained on and off all the way to Palmetto State Park, when we got to Palmetto park it was noon. Dad stopped at the office to check and he had no problem getting a site for two nights. This was the first time we had ever been at this park so it was very exciting. Palmetto is a gorgeous park with a lot of growth and the San Marcos River runs through it. After we found our site and set up camp mom made lunch for dad and her and gave me a treat. When we finished lunch the rain had let up so we decided to go for a walk around the campground. We walked by a CCC building and a playground. We didn't walk too far we walked to the low crossing bridge that goes over the San Marcos River when it started to rain so we turned around and went back to the Minnie. I got my head wet but mom and dad had an umbrella so they didn't get wet. Dad read a book, mom worked on Sudoku book and I slept until the rain let up again. When it stopped we went for a little hike. We hiked about a mile and a half. The hiking trail was easy to hike and very pretty with a lot of growth. The park got its name because it has a lot of dwarf palmettos through out the park. As we hiked we saw a few deer. After our hike we went back to the Minnie and relaxed for the rest of the day. 

Wednesday January 25, 2012

During the night a big rain storm came through, there was thunder and lighting. It rained over three inches at Palmetto park. We woke up about 5:00 but mom and dad went back to sleep until about 7:30. Mom and dad got up and had some breakfast. After breakfast we went for a hike. We walked to the river and by a beautiful CCC building and then we hiked the trails. The trail signs we very nice and told you how long each trail was. The trails all but one trail intertwined with each other and were graveled. The Swamp trail has a boardwalk through out the trail because there usually is swamp in  but the drought dried up the swamp. As we were hiking we had to walk around puddles but we didn't get muddy because of the gravel. We saw a lot of deer and met a couple of workers. The workers asked about the condition of the trails and we told them they were pretty good except one area where we had to turn around and go back because the puddle was too big to cross over. They told us they had more gravel that would take care of that problem. When we got back we went inside and relaxed. When lunchtime came around mom made a little lunch and gave me a snack. After lunch mom and dad went on another hike and left me at Minnie, that was ok with me because I was tired. There hike was the lake trail, where went around a 4-acre lake. They walked to the bridge but when they got there they couldn't cross it because the river was flowing over it. So they turned around and had to walk the park road to get to the trail, which a little farther. The road went over the lake where the trail began. As they were cross over the lake they saw a group of four people in a paddle boat fishing. The lake trail wasn't graveled so it was a little muddy. The trail went around the lake and under the road. As mom and dad were hiking around the lake they saw the paddle boat again this time the people were paddling it. Once on the other side of the road they walked around the park area. They saw a man walking his dog and mom took pictures. Afterwards they had to climb up the hill to get to the road to get back to the campground. When they got back to the camping area they stopped at the river and watched it. The current was very strong and the river was raising. As they were watch the river they saw a small boat going down the river. When they got to the CCC building mom took a very pictures of it. When they got back I was very excited to see them. After saying our hellos we relaxed in the Minnie. About 2:00 the park host came by and told us that we had to evacuate the park because the San Marcos River was rising and the park was going too be flooded. Mom and dad thanked him and started to break camp. After we broke camp mom and dad took me for a little walk. We stopped and asked the host where he was going and he told us he was going up the hill to higher ground. Dad asked him if he had to pack up everything and he said yes. He also told us that the park workers had to pack up some items that were in the CCC building. We wished him luck. As we were leaving the park we stopped at the office and they gave us our money back for today. He told the lady that we were going to Lockhart State Park, she told him that we couldn't because it was already flooded out. So we decided to come home.     



click on photo for more pictures of Muleshoe Bend Park

   

Dad and I resting during our hike                                   Swimming in Lake Travis    


LOCATION:  Austin, Texas    SITE:  Muleshoe Bend Park
DATE:  01/30/2012 - 02/02/2012    SPACE:  00   TRIP:  82    DISTANCE:  33 mile

Monday January 30, 2012

We started to wash and wax the Minnie Saturday and didn't finish until Sunday. It took us a while to wash and wax the Minnie because dad also buffed. Mom helped dad by wiping the Minnie down after dad finished buffing and waxing. When mom and dad finished cleaning the Minnie they were tired so we decided not to go camping until today. We're going to Muleshoe Bend, which we have camped at many times. We go there a lot because it's close to the house. Now that mom is retired we can go camping during the week instead of waiting for the weekend. We arrived at Muleshoe at 11:00 and set up camp for a few days. After we set up camp we went for a walk around the park. We walked a mile or so then we went back to the Minnie to have a little lunch. Mom made ham sandwiches for dad and her and she gave me a little gizzards for a snack. After lunch we went for another walk this time we went a little farther we walked another 4 miles. As we were walking by the restroom we saw a little grave. The grave was decorated with pretty flowers and a cross so mom took a picture of it.  When we got back we sat on our chairs relaxing until mom and dad decided to go inside and take a little nap. After our nap we went outside and relaxed in our chairs until dinnertime. While we we relaxing we saw a man show up with his six dogs. We met this man at our last visit in December and he said he comes to Muleshoe every day to exercise his dogs. This time he was too far away to talk to him but we still watched his dogs run. For dinner mom cooked up some ham hock and beans for dad and her and she fed me my food mixed with gizzards. After dinner we went for another walk for 2 1/2 miles. As we were walking we saw a lot of deer in one area. This was the biggest herd we had ever seen in Muleshoe there was over twenty deer in it. They were very skittish so when we were walking towards them they ran into the trees. By the time we got back to our campsite it was starting to rain so we folded our chairs up and put them under the Minnie so they won't get wet. After putting our chairs away we went inside for the rest of the night. When we got inside mom baked some sugar cookies for dessert. We already walked 7 1/2 miles so I know I will sleep well tonight.  


   

A little grave we saw at Muleshoe Bend Park                          Camping at Muleshoe Bend Park    

Tuesday January 31, 2012

We woke up about 7:30 and had a little breakfast. Mom fed me my breakfast and then sat down to have breakfast with dad. After breakfast we went for a 6 mile hike. We hiked part of the bike trail about 3.5 miles but we walked a mile to get to the trail. We hiked the last 2.5 miles of the trail to the entrance of the park by the park host RV. When we got to the picnic table we sat down to rest but we were tired because it was a little humid because of the cloud covering. After resting we walked another mile of the trail and then walked the road back to or campsite. As we were walking the road it was starting to get warm because the clouds we going away and the sun was coming out. By the time we got back to the Minnie we were all exhausted because we hadn't hiked for awhile. We went directly to our chairs to rest. We didn't see anyone during our hike because it's during the week. In fact we're the only campers in the park. We did see a few deer and a cottontail during our hike. After resting a little while mom made ham sandwiches for lunch and gave me a milk bone. After lunch we all took a nap. After our nap we went to our chairs to relax the rest of the afternoon. While we were resting dad read, mom did her Sudoku book and I slept and did a little sunning. We saw a lady show up with her two dogs but they were too far away for me to introduce myself and I'm too tired to move. A little while later the man with his six dogs showed up I whined for them and dad was surprised that I could tell that there were dogs that far away. I still didn't move from my chair. The dogs and their dad walked around the park for about an hour and half and then decided to go back to their car. The dogs were running in the field by our site when I saw them so I decided to introduce myself. Mom and dad didn't think I would get out of my chair to see them but I did. I ran to see them two of the dogs turned around and came back to see me. We said our hellos and then mom took me back to our site so the dogs could go to their dad. When we got back it was time for dinner so dad barbecued some sausage patties for dinner and mom fed me my food mixed with gizzards. After dinner we went for a short walk which was 1.5 miles. Once again we saw a lot of deer. When we got back we sat in our chairs until it started to get dark. Then we folded up our chairs and put them under the Minnie. Afterwards we went inside and mom baked some more cookies. Today we walked 7.5  miles I'm really tired now so I'll say good night.    


   

Resting after a long hike                                           Hiking at Muleshoe Bend Park
Wednesday February 1, 2012

Today we woke up about 7:30 and had a little breakfast. After breakfast we went on a hike. It was a little overcast so we weren't in any hurry. We hiked about 5 miles this time we hiked about 3 miles of the bike trail that we did do yesterday. While walking the road to the bike trail we saw a lot of deer in the trees. Mom tried to take a few pictures of them but they were too far a way so only a couple of them came out. Once we were on the trail I spotted a skunk I didn't know it was a skunk so I decided to run after it but I didn't go too far before dad called me back. When I got back to dad he put me on leash because he was afraid the skunk would spray me. We hiked a little while before dad felt comfortable enough to take me off leash again. We hiked the trail until we got to where we were yesterday and then we hiked to the lake. We walked the road by the lake until we got to a spot where I could go swimming without getting muddy. I was glad dad told me that I could go swimming because I was hot and ready to cool off. While I swam mom and dad sat on a log and waited for me to finish my swim. I didn't swim a long time because I was tired but I swam long enough to cool off. When we got back to our campsite we relaxed in our chairs until lunchtime. Mom cooked up some soup and made ham wraps for dad and her lunch and she gave me a milk bone. After lunch dad and I stayed inside and took a nap. Mom went outside and worked on her Sudoku. While she was relaxing in her chair a LCRA police officer came by to say hello. After he left dad and I came out to join mom. Mom and dad both thought he came to say hello because he was bored. We were the only people camping so he didn't have much to do. We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon in our chairs. While I was relaxing outside a fly was bothering me so I went inside to sleep. Once again the man with his dogs showed up to do his walk I didn't see them because I was inside. While we were resting a helicopter and a plane came by mom missed taking their pictures because she couldn't see them in the camera. Mom and dad laughed because they were close enough to get a great picture. We also saw a couple of bicyclist while we were relaxing. When dinnertime came around dad barbecued some pork and heated some pork n beans on the grill for mom and his dinner. Mom fed me my food. After dinner we went for a walk around the park, we walked about a mile and a half. By the time we got back to the Minnie we had walked about 6 miles today. Man am I tired for the last three days I have walked a total of 21 miles. Now its time to call it a night. When we got inside mom baked some more cookies. While I was sleeping I heard a bell so I started to bark. Dad heard the bell also. It took mom awhile before she heard it. So dad looked outside and saw that it was a dog. She came in to say hello. Mom and dad were worried that she was lost so dad put my leash on her and then mom and dad went looking for her master. Dad had seen a car go down to the lake so they walked down the road and found her master. The dog's name was Tiger and her master thanked mom and dad. This wasn't the first time we saw Tiger but it had been awhile. We remembered Tiger only because of the bell on her collar. Once mom and dad came back we did call it a night.  

Thursday February 2, 2012

Today we woke up about 7:30 and had some breakfast. After breakfast we walked for 3 miles around the park. Our walk was by the lake and while we were walking I did explored. I have fun exploring early in the morning this time of year because it's a little damp and I can check out different smells. Today we didn't see any deer because we didn't walk by the trees. We didn't walk too far because we're going home today. When we got back to the Minnie mom and dad broke camp. As we were breaking camp the man with the six dogs showed up. He went all the way to lake so I just whined for the dogs. Mom and dad are always amazed because I can see so far away. After mom and dad finished breaking camp we started towards the house. On the way home we decided to drive by another park run by the LCRA just like Muleshoe Bend called Grelle. Grelle wasn't too far away from Muleshoe Bend. We drove around Grelle to see if we could camp there just to camp some place different. Grelle is a lot smaller than Muleshoe Bend and the trail there is only 2 miles long. Eleven of the campsites cost $10 a night and at Muleshoe Bend they don't cost anything. The pass we have for Muleshoe Bend is for day use so it will work for day use at Grelle, which is $5 per vehicle. We really enjoy camping at Muleshoe Bend but we also like going to other parks so that's why we drove around Grelle. After driving through Grelle we went home. I was so tired I slept all the way home and I think it will take me a couple of days to recuperate but I always have a great time camping. 


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January Hiking Adventures 2012




Canyonlands Lower Hiking Trail

 
LOCATION:  Lakeway, Texas    SITE:  Canyonlands Trails    DATE:  01/07/2012    DISTANCE:  8 miles

Saturday January 7, 2012

The weather was very nice and is going to be in the 70s so we decided to go on a hike at Lakeway. Lakeway has two sets of hiking trails Hamilton Greenbelt and Canyonlands so if one set is too busy we can always go to the other set. Today when we arrived at Hamilton Greenbelt Trails we saw a few cars so we kept driving until we got to Canyonlands Trails. Canyonlands Trails had a few cars but we decided to still hike the trails. We hiked the lower loop trail, which went through trees, along a creek and over a couple of bridges. We hiked about 45 minutes. As we were hiking the loop we saw a couple of groups of bicycle riders. Each group had five teenage kids and an adult who was teaching them how to ride the trails and where the trails went. We ran into them a couple of times during our hike and each time we got off the trails so they could pass us. We had never seen so many bicyclers using the trails. We didn't hike as far as we usually did because it was too busy but we still had a great hike.