The House Grandpa Texas Built

On Monay, May 26, 2014, we left San Angelo and headed to Monahans Sandhills State Park in west Texas.  Our route took us through Midland, Texas.  My maternal grandparents, Eldred and Zudalee Jones, lived in the sandstone house my grandfather built on West Michigan Street.  The neighborhood is old now and the houses are not as well cared for as they were in the past.  So many wonderful memories of times we spent there with Grandpa and Grandma Texas!

Night Skies!

Saturday night's stormy sky.  Sunday's sunset!  This was the western sky about the same time each day.

San Angelo State Park

We arrived in this park on Friday, May 23, 2014, planning a two night stay.  O.C. Fisher lake and the North Concho River bed in the park were dry due to a drought.  Saturday morning we went to a program about the park's longhorns and bison.  The longhorns are part of the official Texas herd. The big guy's name is T-Bone.  On Saturday night a severe storm moved into the area.  The park ranger required us to leave our motorhome to seek shelter in the cement block restroom nearby.  After two hours we were cleared to return to our motorhomes.  Since strong storms were still in the area on Sunday morning, we delayed our departure.  We took a couple pictures of the river Sunday morning after a night of rain.

Pedernales Falls State Park

May 19-23, 2014:  It was a short fifty mile drive from Austin to this park on the Pedernales River.  We were in site #50, shaded and level.  The trails were too rough and rocky for biking, so we hiked the trails, enjoying the water and the views in this Texas hill country location. The morning doves sang throughout the day.  Lizards scurried about everywhere!

McKinney Falls State Park

McKinney Falls State Park is located on Onion Creek in Austin, Texas.  In October 2013, there was a flash flood. The creek rose 42 feet.  The destruction was evident in the park by the downed trees and trees that were bent by the flow of water.  The park officials are still cleaning up and making repairs from the damage caused by the flash flood.

May 14-19, 2014:  We enjoyed many things in this park and in Austin including...our shaded campsite #78, biking and hiking on many trails throughout the park, watching the egrets and great blue herons nesting in the canopy of the trees growing along Onion Creek, large turtles swimming and basking in the sun, relaxing in the waterfalls, a haircut at Aziz Salon, lunch at Hut's Hamburgers....root beer float and the best gluten free bun I've eaten, grocery shopping at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, and worshipping at Christ Lutheran Church.  Austin is located in what Texans call the Hill Country.  We are amazed by the the wild, blooming plants that cover the land.

Sam Houston National Forest

May 6-14, 2014:  Our campground was located north of Houston, on Lake Conroe.  We did a little fishing...caught no fish, but saw a large snapping turtle, did some short hikes, and explored the very small town of New Waverly.  There are many egrets and great blue herons around the lake, beautiful sunsets, and a couple of nighttime visitors.  It was such a blessing to spend the afternoon and have lunch with Uncle Ray, Aunt Neeni, and Gina. 

Galveston Island State Park

May 4, 2014:  We crossed into Texas Sunday morning.  We stopped at the Texas visitor center, located in a wetlands.  We were able to observe the wetland inhabitants from a wooden trail.  There were many snakes, an alligator, and huge, magnificent dragonflies.  

We drove over a bridge to the island where we camped on the beach.  The philosophy of the park is to return the beach to its natural habitat.  We were informed there was seaweed (not edible) on the beach.  While there we walked on the beach and explored other beaches on the island.  It was warm with a cool breeze off the gulf waters.  The area was rich with birds, especially pelicans.  We enjoyed watching the flocks soar overhead and dive for fish.