6o degrees this morning, still overcast but there are patches of blue. Greg snapped this sunrise picture before I got up!
As well as this photo of a fisherman who arrived at daybreak. Greg talked to him briefly and found out he lived in Kingsland and has been coming here to fish since he was a kid. (Now 64.) He was using a net to catch his baitfish. You can camp here for free for up to 5 days!
We went for a walk around the park and enjoyed the birdsong of many birds. There were quite a lot of scissor tail birds - their tails open and close like scissors when they fly. This one is pretty grey, but some (males?) have a pretty peachy color breast.
There were cardinals, doves, many ducks and this mockingbird who sang up and storm and put on quite a show. Not sure if it was mating activity or whether we were too close to a nest.
Several rabbits were munching grass nearby.
We hoped to get to a ranch out by Mason that allows rockhounds to search for topaz. It is the only area of Texas where it is found. We got a callback but after talking with them found out there are road issues with means "no" to the Trek. She suggested calling another, Bar M Ranch, so we will probably give that a try another time.
Breakfast al fresco, cereal with bananas and blueberries and oranges. And the Keurig has been working well!
We wound around many country roads en route to our next stop, Krause Springs near Spicewood. 3014 to 2241 to 261 to 1431 to 2900 to 2214 to 71 to 404 to 406 to Krause Springs Road. Thank goodness for google maps!
Best picture we didn't take: A guy in a red kayak taking a selfie in a bluebonnet field, simulating being on the water.
Krause Springs is a privately owned area of Springs, Canyons, Cedars which has both a regular pool and a natural water hole swimming area. No doubt refreshing in hot weather! We walk several trails and take photos.
From here we head towards Muleshoe Recreation area which a couple from Tennessee said they heard had marvelous bluebonnet fields. It isn't far, but when we ask the man at the entrance he says Lake Travis is very high and has covered most of the area where the bluebonnets grow, so we opt not to go see it - last year was fantastic, maybe next year...
We are planning to go see Matt tomorrow for lunch, so want to camp somewhere not too far from Austin. We head east along Lake Travis to the Balcones Canyon Wildlife Refuge. We visit Doeskin Ranch area and walk a couple of short trails. Pond, prairie and creek. Then we drive up and up and up to Warbler Vista and A Viewing Deck which overlooks Lake Travis.
Yellow-cheeked warblers, endangered birds, nest in the area but we didn't see any.
We backtrack a little to Camp Creek Recreation Area, our home for tonight. This is another 5 day max free site operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority. Only a half dozen sites but they are spread nicely. One other camper at far end and out of sight. Chips and salsa followed by chicken fajita salad.
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