Spring Break

Wild violets - another early sign of spring

Sequestration may be upon us but things seem to be working well so far in the Texas State Parks.  However it is a good thing we made some reservations!  The last few days have been the most crowded camping we have seen in any parks since we started our adventure 10 months ago.  Maybe the college set goes to the beach for spring break but families with small children go camping. 

A rare sight - a parked bike during daylight hours 

Forget the convertibles and sports cars, tricycles and bicycles with training wheels are the preferred mode of transportation here in the parks and they race by at all hours of the day.  But the good news is that by sundown the bikes circle at the fires of their respective campsites and the young riders head to bed early. 

Once the sun is down, it is time for Maya’s stroll through the campground.  We have been enjoying this ritual lately.  I don’t know if it is the cold nights that have kept the humidity low or that the moon is ‘new’ but the night skies and stars have been awesome – really.

Spain built the first mission in the province of Texas.
The Civilian Conservation Corp built a 'Mission Replica' in Mission Tejas State Park.  

 Last night, at Mission Tejas State Park, it was so dark that Maya and I missed our turn and got a little lost.  The tall pines kept the ground very dark though the stars did twinkle through.  We could see the campfires in the distance and made our way back but we never did find the path.  (Note to self: don’t forget to put the flashlight in your pocket.)  Being with Maya made me feel braver but  I did think how fragile we are and how any one of us alone or even with a dog, is not very fit for survival anymore.  We were so small and the night felt so overwhelmingly infinite.  I think Maya felt it too.  She walked very hesitantly, stopping frequently as we made our way back towards the fires.  But it could have been that her nose and ears were telling her much more about the night than I could ever know. 

The only place that is open to the public to walk on 'The King's Highway.'

Part of the original ‘El Camino Real’ or the King’s Highway that ran from Mexico to San Antonio on to Nacogdoches and up through Louisiana, is located in Mission Tejas State Park.  You can walk in the original traces of this ancient road used by famous Texans such as Stephen F. Austin, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, Davy Crockett and many others.  I bet they had better sense than to wander off from camp at night without their ‘light.’

Redbuds blooming in Mission Tejas State Park