Nothing is as EZ as it should be!: Saturday in the park

Even after nearly six years of drought, there is still some water flowing.

I think it was the 17th of October. My apologies to Chicago, and to the 4th of July.

A couple weeks ago, my better half said, "We should go away for the weekend. It doesn't have to be far." Now this was a surprise, as she has, for more than 47 years, been adamant that we had to be home and in church on Sundays (and on the rare occasions we have been on travel, we have, at her urging, sought out an LDS congregation to attend church with). Planning relaxing and fun away-type events has been difficult as normal weekends are really short and Sunday falls smack in the middle of most three-day-weekends. I'm less devout and would gladly skip the meetings occasionally, but when Momma's not happy, nobody's happy.

So, with some trepidation, I began to plan a mini-vacation not far from our San Antonio, Texas home. In the fall, Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool, Texas can be beautiful. As the state's website (http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lost-maples/nature) tells us:

The park is an outstanding example of Edwards Plateau flora and fauna. It is a combination of steep, rugged limestone canyons; springs; plateau grasslands; wooded slopes; and clear streams. It features a large, isolated stand of uncommon Uvalde bigtooth maple, whose fall foliage can be spectacular. Generally, the foliage changes the last two weeks of October through the first two weeks of November...

Rare species of birds, such as the green kingfisher, can be seen year-round. The endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler nest and feed in the park in spring and early summer. Wild animals include gray fox, white-tailed deer, armadillo, raccoon, bobcat, rock squirrel and javelina.

Picnic and play area; river behind photographer.

The park also boasts a great tree-covered grassy picnic and play area with shaded picnic tables. Now I don't have a positive history when it comes to planning outdoor events. At MY outdoor events, the weather generally does not cooperate, and has, in the past, ranged from July snowstorms to January thaws and includes at least one family picnic event interrupted by a small Tornado that claimed our picnic and gear, lit charcoal grill and all, which is a rare event in San Antonio. Nevertheless, I invited family members in the San Antonio area to join us for a Saturday picnic and lawn games and just pretended that all would be well.

Our original plan was to rent a cabin in the nearby Garner State Park, and do some civilized camping, but when I learned that the cabins cost $160 per night, I decided that "camping" in a reasonably priced hotel in the town of Kerrville would be just as much in the pioneer spirit for folks our age. So two nights in a hotel less than 100 miles from home. That counts as a vacation doesn't it?

We met our son, his wife, and our grandson at the Cracker Barrel near our hotel at 9:00 AM on Saturday and after a hearty breakfast, we picked up some prepared chicken and salad then traveled south, with my eldest son at the wheel, on the famously twisty two-lane Texas Highway 16 (http://www.hillcountrycruising.com/highway16.html) to the town of Medina, where we turned West on the slightly more civilized route 337, thence to the park.

Most of the trail is shaded.

We were in the park just long enough to claim and set up a shaded table when our youngest daughter arrived with a friend. The picnic party was complete! It turns out the weather was fabulous, the food was tasty, we had great fun playing horseshoes, throwing a frisbee, hiking the park's trails, and just lazing in the shade while socializing. A few of us even got in a short nap on blankets spread on the lawn. A little after 4:00 PM we packed up and headed home (or headed hotel, as appropriate). Great family time, beautiful natural setting, and cooperative weather, sunny but not hot, fluffy clouds to excite the imagination. Everyone's travels home were safe and timely. My better half was in good spirits and happy, even knowing we would not be home Sunday morning for church. And, as it turns out, an old friend happened to be traveling through the area and we were able to meet for a great reunion brunch on Sunday morning. A truly blessed Saturday and Sunday. The motel was my kind of camping, clean and safe with running hot water, and for so very much, I give thanks!