On to the Hill Country and a scenic drive day (our first, really). Got some supplies and headed to a completely different Texas landscape.
We went NW to Bandera, “The Cowboy Capital of the World”. It has had Comanches, Mormons and Poles (should it have been called Bandura???? Helen???) in its day. It has been updated a bit but maintains a Wild West kind of look.
Onward through the real Ranch country, in fact via “Ranch Roads”. Some very interesting gate names: Freedom Springs, Caribbean Cowboy Resort, 5 Mile Creek Saloon (our first), Thy Word is Truth Ranch and Big Scuffle Ranch.
On to Utopia (yep) for lunch. We passed a lot of bicyclists on this road including 8-10 with Canadian flag jerseys.
Interesting “Watch for Water on Road” signs everywhere (there are rivers and creeks but so little rain that everything is now dry) and “Flood Gauge” signs, so it's Hill AND Flood country.
Apparently there have been many motorcycle deaths on this stretch as well (passed many and few wearing helmets despite “Steep Hills, Sharp Turns, Falling Rocks” signs everywhere. But so beautiful. High elevations and deep valleys. You can imagine and actually see remnants of homesteads from more than 100 years ago.
We headed to Lost Maples SP and no room but I begged my way in to overflow and we were in a huge parking lot overlooking limestone cliffs. Most of the cars were there for the campers who hiked in to THEIR campsites (no thanks).
Saw a small woodpecker (maybe Ladder-backed) but no pics.
Gorgeous day. Lucky us.
Here are our photo albums so far:
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