San Antonio and the Hill Country of Texas, Fall 2017

Blog Resurrection ...

I haven't updated this Blog in seven years, and we have been to so many NEW places in these past years that it seems prudent to do so now. So here we go.

We left Ontario in early November 2017 and drove straight to Waco, then to San Antonio and into the Hill Country of Texas.

	The Waco Mammoth National Monument in Waco is a wonderful park displaying the first and only find of a nursery herd of ice-age Columbian Mammoths in the U.S.
	We camped at Braunig Lake Park, and during a stroll along the water I discovered a Northern Harrier tethered to the reeds by a fishing line. Who knows how long the poor bird had been trying to escape, but I could see it was exhausted. A quick call to a local Wildlife Rescue brought freedom, although it was quite a delicate task untangling the line from its wing.
	No trip to San Antonio would be complete without visiting the Alamo. This fabulous museum details the account of this famous 13-day siege and subsequent battle.
	San Antonio is also famous for its Riverwalk, and I was expecting something very different. The river and its shops and restaurants are below street level, which I found cast a very dark, cold and gloomy atmosphere. Perhaps it is brighter in the middle of summer when the sun is higher. We did have a very tasty lunch though.
	We loved exploring Pedernales Falls State Park. I can see how this would be a summer destination.
	Pools at Pedernales Falls State Park.
	Longhorn Cavern State Park was a nice surprise. The caves are quite attractive.  Friends Robbie and Alice joined us for this tour as they were staying in nearby Austin.