Since my last post we have moved to the location we will occupy for the month of March. From Lake Corpus Christi we have come northwest into what is known as the “Hill Country” of Texas and specifically to Pedernales Falls State Park.
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| The Hill Country |
We are surrounded by a beautiful, hilly landscape with very different birds, flowers, trees, scrub, and rivers than we experienced in January & February.
The state of Texas acquired what was formerly the Circle Bar Ranch from private owners in 1970 and opened Pedernales Falls State Park in 1971.
The 5,212-acre park sits along the banks of the scenic Pedernales River in Blanco County east of Johnson City and west of Austin.
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| Pedernales Falls |
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| Note the people for size comparison |
The actual Pedernales Falls are at the north end of the park. Here, the river drops about 50 feet in elevation over a distance of 3,000 feet. Water cascades over tilted, layered stair steps of limestone.
Right now the river is low and people can walk all over the huge limestone slabs. However, torrential rains here or anywhere up river can cause flash flooding that raises the water level 20 or more feet above current levels within minutes. Watch out!
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| At this time all of the river is flowing through this gap |
We are again volunteers in this state park as we were at Lake Corpus Christi. The jobs we are doing are also similar to what we have done before.
Darlene is working with a couple other women in a butterfly garden/bird viewing area. I am with the maintenance department doing whatever needs to be done.
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| The garden and bird blinds |
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| Our campsite. Lovin' it!! |
As before, we receive a full hookup campsite and in this park, a Gator to get to the work sites and to use to explore the park. You can see it in the first picture. Our campsite isn't in the campground, but in a special area just for Park Hosts. This park also provides 2 free washers and dryers for the use of the park hosts, a NICE perk.
Our specific campsite is every camper's dream spot. It's spacious, picturesque, and private. We could hardly ask for better if we were going to live here permanently. What a blessing.
With mixed emotions, we see an end coming to our winter in Texas. On April 1st we will set out for home. No foolin'. When we are traveling back to Indy, we keep you posted on what we hope will be a very beautiful and interesting 444 mile drive up the Natchez Trace Parkway.
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| It's big. What do you think it is? |
