Mother Neff State Park

Yesterday I texted Brendon while he was at work and was like, "can I take you on a date tonight, or what?" and he was like, "okay." That's basically how it went. Boom, surprise date. I packed us a picnic dinner and we went to the nearest State Park, Mother Neff. Which happened to have gotten flooded this spring and half of it is closed. The half with, you know, the river in it. WHOOPS. My bad! The entrance was closed for the day too, so we had to pay via envelope/drop box. We were going to renew our State Parks pass, but I guess we'll wait until next time!

Thankfully most of the hiking trails were still open, so we parked near one and found a "cave" to have dinner in. It was pretty cool! Then we hiked around a bit. I think we were the only people hiking, and maybe one of five people in the park. It was dead! I guess that makes sense, since half the park is closed and all.

Mother Neff State Park is one of the oldest state parks in Texas, and many of the buildings were built as public works projects during the great depression. There were lots of fun little "landmarks" along the trails and the hiking was fairly easy, which was perfect for us since nightfall was quickly approaching!

There was this neat little "Rock Tower" that provided some excellent views! I love me some green trees!

The sun setting was kind of brutal up there, thus squinty faces. And I turn into a ginger in direct sunlight. My inner Weasley.

This was the last thing we saw before we headed home, it's a little pool! Apparently it was once spring fed but the spring dried up and now it just fills whenever it rains. It used to be eight feet deep but so much silt has settled in it that when it's full, it's only four feet. Time does crazy things!

It was a fun little date! Even if we didn't get to see the whole park. Hopefully they open it back up soon, it's the closest State Park to us. We haven't been to a State Park since the beginning of summer, because life and I thought I was going to have nausea for the rest of my days. We need to get back into the park hopping habit! Texas has so many cool parks, and they're everywhere!

Also, more picnic dates! Everyone needs more picnics.

Pedernales Falls, in the fog

The wildflowers this year, y'all. So fantastic. Lots of rain = lots of flowers! I've been wanted to hit up Pedernales Falls State Park for a while. It's one of my favorites in the area and if you haven't been, please go. It is amazing. So grand and beautiful and the hiking is prime.

Also, side note, Pedernales, although being spelled like Ped-er-nah-lez, is actually pronounced Perd-a-nah-lez. I've been saying it the latter way my whole life, but recently I was like oh gosh look how it's spelled, I've been saying it wrong? So I started pronouncing it how it was spelled, and Brendon had to whoop up and bust out that Google one day to have it audibly pronounced for me. And it is Per, not Ped. There's an invisible R in there? I have no idea. Texas is full of weird names.

Anyway, it was a gloomy as heck day, but we went for it any way. It was actually kind of awesome, because it was not hot at all. Not like the last time we went. So we could hike to our hearts content and not get all hot and gross.

LOL, NERDS.

The water was a'gettin' it! Although I feel like we haven't had much rain (just the gloom and threat of it), it's definitely been a wet winter and fairly wet spring. Which is so good! We need rain!

We found this little set up here on a rock. Super cute, super Texan, but DON'T YOU KNOW PICKING BLUE BONNETS IS ILLEGAL WHAT THE HECK?

This place. It's just so awesome. I am just in love with the rocks as I am with the water. They tell such a tale! Nerdy moment, but from a geological standpoint this place is just so neat. Water and time are capable of amazing things.

What a cool place. Please go, if you have not. I am such a fan of our state parks. I know that probably goes without saying, but goodness, they are wonderful. And such a cheap, fun, and healthy form of entertainment. We are rounding up our year of having a parks pass and we are for sure renewing it. It's such a good deal, if you are thinking of getting one, DO IT! It makes you get outside more and nothing but fun can come from that. Unless you're allergic to the sun or something.

Blanco State Park

You guys, we are taking this State Park thing seriously. Clearly. We've more than paid for our state park pass in visits already and I'm loving all the time we're spending outdoors exploring. Although I am not loving how HOT it is getting. And humid, sheesh.

Tuesday we went to Blanco State Park, which is by far the smallest state park we've been to so far. It's just a stretch of river banks, probably less than a mile long. Like, you can see from park border to park border. It's seriously smack dab in the middle of the town of Blanco and a major highway goes over it. The hiking here is seriously lacking, and it's far from being out in the woods, but it's a cute little park with excellent swimming hole opportunities. It would be a lovely thing to have in the middle of your town.

The one hiking trail in the park is maaaaybe a quarter to a half mile long. It's pretty lame to be honest. And we were EATEN ALIVE by mosquitoes. I seriously got at least 10 bites (I'm still finding them). And we found this creepy like shelter thing at the end of the trail that I guess someone is living under?

Creepy. I spotted a back pack and said, let's turn around now.

Although we didn't swim (I have a thing with water I can't see through), it seems like a pretty legit place for a dip. That square little river-infinity-pool-thing was awesome.

Oh, Mr. Hogan. The picnic areas have the coolest rock chairs, tables, and fire pits. They were made during the great depression as a public works project. So cool!

Animal friends!

After exploring the park (which really didn't take long), we checked out downtown Blanco. It's pretty cute! We did a wee bit of antiquing (I got a new dinner plate, woo!), and then had lunch at Redbud Cafe, which might be my new favorite place ever. It's the sweetest little joint with some seriously yummy grub. So many vegetarian options, which in a small Texas town is rare. They also have fantastic cookies. And good beer. And they're super nice. Man, if you're ever in Blanco, eat there!

Thanks for the good times Blanco. You're very cute.

Pedernales Falls State Park

Today (why yes, today! I am blogging on the same day I did something! Rarity!), we went to Pedernales Falls State Park. We'd been before, but it was in the depressing summer and epic drought of 2011, and water was not a'flowin'. It was a whole different ball game today, that water was moving. The falls were roaring from the recent rains and it was very awesome. We got in the water a bit down at the swimming area and the current was cray-zay! Kids were getting scooted down the river and parents were freaking out. (Everyone was A-okay, just dramatic.)

We hiked around the falls area for a while (and by hiked, I mean leaped over rocks and steams. My joints are going to hate me tomorrow), then settled down near the swimming area to have a picnic.

There was a lot of this. It was hot and the sun was brutal. I'm such a vampire, I can't hang when the suns out.

TAKING SOLACE IN THE SHADE. Trees are our friends. And speaking of friends, lizards everywhere!

  

We found this sweet rock to have a picnic on next to the river. Contrary to how grumpy I look, it was my happy place. I mean, how perfect is it? Under some trees, right next to the water, off the ground away from bugs; it was great. No lie, I napped for a couple hours under there. I'm really digging napping outdoors.

The swimming looked nice (we just waded in a bit) but like I said, the current was crazy! Such a 180 from the last time we were there. Keep it up rain! It was a really fun and relaxing trip. Pedernales Falls, you're a winner. It still blows my mind how close we are to such lovely places. I feel like more people should take advantage of this. It's sooo cheap and so much fun, get out to those parks, y'all!  Not sure where we're headed next, but we'll be off exploring again soon!

And I leave you with this lovely man of mine. Because he takes me to pretty places and puts up with me getting sleepy in the sun.

That smirk. Get out of here with that smirk.