A Day with Diana

My friend sent me a message last week asking if I wanted to get together this week. She had to bring her Class B from Austin down to New Braunfels and wanted to see some of the area. So I picked her up this morning and we headed out to River Road for a drive. It is a great drive along the Guadalupe River with about 7 river crossings on a narrow two lane road with great scenery. A weekday drive is much better as it is packed on the weekends with sightseers and people on the way to go toobing. And yes, it is toobing, not tubing, around here. There are cabins and camping places and several RV places along the windy road. We stopped at a couple of them so Diana could check them out for future reference. One place even has treehouses for rent.

It was still too early for lunch so we went on out to Canyon Lake. This is the view from the day use park near the dam. We checked out several places on Canyon Lake and had lunch at the Canyon Lake Marina. It turned out to be a great place and the food was very good.

   
Back in New Braunfels, I took Diana on a tour of Landa Park on the Comal River and then on to another park which is popular for toobing. This is just one of the many toobing rental places right in town.

Prince Solms Park has a chute you can ride through. This group was all hooked together.

This is just below the chute. Even in April, you can see the toobers out riding the river.

We had a wonderful day together and I’m so glad Diana got in touch with me so I could show her around the New Braunfels area.

Another Wild Weekend

Friday night and the grandkids are here.  Harley is not too happy about the Kindle game but it won't get used much while they are here.

Morgan is telling her Dad all about her week at school...can you tell she is a drama queen?

One last game before bedtime.

Saturday morning and Helen had to head up to Austin to ride/run the route for the triathlon she will be competing in the end of this month.  She had everything ready before bed and we didn't even hear her when she left at 5:30AM.  Once we were up and had breakfast and dog walks out of the way, we headed over to the Madrone Trail for a hike.  Steve and Harley tried it out on Friday and thought we could all make it.  He was very excited about finding it for mountain biking.  Morgan found a hiking stick which she graciously donated to Grandma about halfway through the hike.

This is one of the flatter areas.  There are some much more rocky areas.  Steve was talking to some of the mountain bikers that were in the parking lot and they said that there were about 11 miles of trail.  We never ran into any of them while we were hiking so he can't wait to try the rest out on his bike.

We had a great view of the lake when things opened up near the top.  Well, Steve and I enjoyed the view.  I don't know what had the kids attention.

Although this is technically in a COE park, it starts well before the camping area which is closed.  Helen actually ran through there on her 12 mile run on Sunday and they just waved at her as she sped by.  We made a run by the marina so the kids could see the boats and saw this swimmer.  He was chasing a stick and having a great time bringing it back to his mama.  He had a life jacket on too.

Saturday afternoon, we spent several hours in the pool.  It's cooler than it was a few weeks ago but still comfortable enough for swimming and playing.  Steve and Cameron were playing catch.

It's a good thing the kids can swim because they are fearless.

The cool front came through Saturday evening but the rain held off until we were all asleep and it was bright and sunny again Sunday morning, just much cooler.  The kids weren't too happy that we wouldn't let them go swimming but it just wasn't warm enough.  We did another nature walk through the large area at the park and this time the dogs got to come along so everyone was happy.

Later on, Helen (aka the Mad Scientist) had several experiments for the kids to try.  They always look forward to this.  This time they were checking out the effects of acid rain by using tums they drew pictures on and what vinegar, basalmic vinegar, and water had on them.

It was a great weekend.  It's always quiet after the kids leave.  Steve and Helen took them back to Marble Falls where their Mom picked them up and then they headed back to San Antonio as Helen had to work Monday morning.  The dogs and I went for another walk and then I cleaned the barbeque and put up most of the outside things so packing up and departure will be easy in the morning.

Thursday and Friday Fly By at the Lake

I've been enjoying my time this week.  Thurday I took a drive over to the marina.  It's on the other side of the peninsula just across the inlet from where I am.  I would have liked to check out the COE park on the same peninsula but it is closed whether it's the end of the season or due to the government shutdown is really not clear.  End of the season doesn't make sense as it is a dry campground and the weather is just getting to the temperatures that would make that a good idea.  Anyway, the marina is private and looks very well used.

We have lots of wind in Texas so sailboats are very popular.

Someone was out having fun.

Oh, look, that's where I'm staying.  The RVs are in the trees beyond the buildings.

I have also gotten a few things done this week.  I got out my teeny, tiny sewing machine and made some bed covers for the dachsies.  Gretchen's are pink leopard print.  Maybe it is an ocelot print instead of leopard.  I would have taken a picture of Willy and Harley's brown and black leopard print covers but my camera died.  Very cuddly, just like the dachies.  I had adapters to charge everything but my camera.  In any case, no animals were harmed for these creations as they were made from some inexpensive fleece blankets.  Fortunately Steve and Helen are coming out today so pictures will continue.

I also rearranged a number of different cupboards inside the RV.  It is so much easier to do when you are out using the RV.

Steve and Helen came out to spend the day on Friday.  We swam and relaxed the afternoon away and then they headed up to Marble Falls to pick up the grandkids for the weekend.  They always eat right after they pick up the kids because they are hungry so I decided to head up to the resort's cafe for my dinner.  It's run by volunteers from the park on Friday nights.  Cheeseburger and Fries for $3.25.  They have a few other items including talapia as a special.

Here's the "cook" working on my cheeseburger.  His wife said he is a frustrated restauranteer.

The grandkids are coming to spend the weekend RVing but it will be a surprise to them when they arrive at the park.  Now, one of the activities at the park that the grandkids really love is "ice cream socials"...scoops in a cup.  The big bell rings at 2:00PM on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and they start dipping the ice cream.  They usually have about 8 different flavors of Blue Bell.

You can sit inside or take advantage of the nice patios around the clubhouse.

We walk right past the laundry building on our way back to the RV.

I think it's going to be another great weekend.