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.

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.