McKinney Falls... again!

We went to McKinney Falls today, again! Even though we were there Saturday, it rained a ton this week, and we wanted to check out the falls now that there was an influx of water. And dang, it makes a difference! The water is a good three feet+ higher than it was when we were there a few days ago, and the falls are fallin'! It was really awesome.

I love having that park pass. Seriously, such a good investment and such good motivation to get us outside! We ran a bit, tossed around a football (Brendon's new thing?), hiked a little, and "swam". By swam I mean, we sat in the water a little. It was COLD water and although it was warm outside, it wasn't quite warm enough to make us brave enough to get all the way in.

Such a seriously lovely day. We brought a lunch and ate it picnic style in the shade, and even napped a little. I love this place! So glad we got that state park pass. Next on my radar is Pedernales Falls State Park. That's another park I think you should visit just after a big rain. The last time we were there was during that insane drought a couple years ago and it was a bit depressing. I'd love to see it after a good rain!

And really, if you're in Austin and need something fun and cheap to do this weekend, go to McKinney Falls! The water is perfect right now! Go, go, go!

McKinney Falls

Saturday, in celebration of Brendon finishing up the semester and his last year of actual classroom instruction (WOO!) we went to McKinney Falls State Park. We'd been before, but it had been a couple years. I love this park because it is so close to the city but you feel so far away. It's the shortest trip ever for us, and it's a really lovely escape. Although it was beautiful, the water level was pretty dang low. There were less "falls" and more trickles. We need rain! Badly! It's been doing this awful "tease rain" where it will just be misty and nasty and unbearably humid, but not actually rain. Supposedly it will actually rain tonight (and then cool down to the 60's!). Keep your fingers crossed, we do need it badly! But like I said, falls or no falls, it's a beautiful place.

We hiked around a bit, did some trail running (almost died from the heat), and then piddled around in the water. And I got a horrendous sunburn on my shoulders. SUNSCREEN. I NEED TO USE IT. I am far to pale to be outdoors without it.

It was a really lovely little escape. We actually purchased a Texas State Park Pass for the year, so we will be able to do this more often! There are so many great State Parks around us, and we went to a ton last summer, we figured it was worth it just to get the pass. Everyone in your car gets in for free, so we just needed one for the two of us. And you get discounts on camping! We plan on making use of our pass, even if it just means heading to McKinney Falls a whole bunch. It's close enough to just scoot over there for an evening run! And really, with all the awesome state parks near us, we have no excuse not to use the pass. Last summer was "small town summer", this might be "state park summer"! Brendon has just over a month off this summer, so we've got to make use of it!

And because I know you've always wanted to know what me jumping across rocks looks like:

Unsurprisingly, it's incredibly awkward!