Spontaneous Big Bend – 2014

Big Bend road trip in early 2014 (January 2nd) with a couple of good friends and only a few hours of planning.

Stopped at Cooper’s in Llano on the way out West.2014.jan.5.Wade's.iphone 050

Lajitas condo for the weekend.2014.jan.5.Wade's.iphone 060

View from our back porch towards Terlingua. (Click photo for big view.)

 

Six mile hike to The Window and back.

 

India of the Thirsty Goat Saloon in Lajitas.

Hot springs and amphitheater at Lajitas.  (Click photo for big view.)DSCN3818

 

We will be back soon.DSCN3915

Texas – OU 2013

October 12th, 2013.  Texas pulled off a shocker to blow out the Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas, 36-20.   Interesting fact:  A defensive lineman from each team scored a touchdown on an interception return.  (Hook’em, Chris Whaley!)  Great game!

A lot of beer is sold on game day. This is the view we like to see at the end.  The stadium is divided along the 50-yard line, with this photo showing that the OU faithful have already left for the day.

PINS Trip October 2013

PINS (Padre Island National Seashore) is simply beautiful, but you will most likely need a 4×4 to get down to the really good part.  It’s the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, with approximately 60 miles of coastline you can drive on and camp on at will.  I went on a camping and fishing trip there in October 2013.

Welcome to PINS. Note 4×4 warning sign. When the tide is up, you really do need a 4×4, but nothing too extreme. At other times you can drive closer to the water on the packed sand most of the way, which is like driving on a regular road almost, and you won’t need a 4×4.welcome.to.pins.1a.smallOur camp from above.  We brought too much gear but it was nice to have it – just a pain to setup and then pack up later.  We called this a recon trip because we didn’t know what we were doing.  We didn’t get much fishing in because we didn’t plan as well as we should, but next time we will know what to do and will do more fishing.  We had a great time regardless.camp.from.above.1.smallSunset.  There was a violent storm the first night but we woke to clear skies.sunset.camp.2.small

I call this one “Camp Toilet at Dusk”, suitable for framing.  It doesn’t seem like it would make much difference, but a simple camp toilet is a good investment (about $20 for a good one).  Especially on a two night or longer camping trip.  OK, too much information I am sure.camp.toilet.1.small

All in all it was an awesome trip.  But don’t tell everyone about PINS.  It is really great and too many people down there would mess that up.  Next time:  Fishing Pics.