Enchanted Rock

On the way back from Lamesa, we stopped in Fredericksburg and met up with Jon to go primitive camping at Enchanted Rock. We had a great lunch at Kelly's Cafe and then headed out.

Now, I will let the pictures tell most of the story. But let me begin by saying, the trip began with a sermon from Jon that went something like this. "OK kids, we're going camping. And when you go camping, sometimes you forget things, like toilet paper, but whatever trouble you come across, you must smile and make do with what you have and that's what camping is all about. By the way, I didn't forget the toilet paper."

Glory wondered what do you do if you forget the food (if you don't spend much time with her you might not know that she is always hungry, so it's not surprising she would have this question). We dismissed her question, because you would never go camping without anything as essential as food...or would you?

I was so thankful that I did not have to do the packing for this trip. It was bliss. Jon had a backpack for everyone! Thanks honey! OK, here goes the story.

The kids are ready. Glory only looks a tad nervous.

Joy asked for this picture. Her pack was bulky, but included only her sleeping bag. It was fairly light.

And here's my beautiful family - each with a pack, 30 seconds into the 1.5 mile hike to the primitive campsite.

And here's Freedom, removing his pack, 60 seconds into the hike.

And here's Freedom relieved and back on the hike just a few seconds later. Dad was happy to carry his pack for him.

Five minutes into the hike, they all sat down and Jon showed them the map. It's nice to know what's ahead and where you're going.

Freedom scoots off a tall rock on the trail.

And there's my beautiful family, making progress. Boy it's hot.

What a terrible trail!!! I pray no one turns an ankle.

You call this the trail?

This was a nice little spot - finally a break from that rocky path they call the trail.

Another photo opportunity in the neat area.

Joy wanted a picture of the tree roots growing on top of the ground.

The cool spot didn't last long. Back in the hot sun, but at least we're walking on one large flat rock.

We've made it to camp. We brought 2 tents: a 2-man tent and a 3-man tent. This is the 3-man tent - we just discovered it had no poles with it (this was going to be the first time we would use it and it came from the store that way). Jon had a hard time practicing what he preached, but his frustration didn't last long - love you babe. It's too late to guarantee we can make it back to the car before dark. We're here for the night.

For a while, the kids are tired and there's nothing to do but sit on that God-forsaken log and fight off gnats and ants. I'm anxious to keep walking around rather than sit around.

We discover later that we have water, a propane stove, propane, and freeze-dried packages of food - but wait, not a pot or cup to cook it in. Dinner became roasted marshmallows, granola bars and fruit snacks. They suited me and the kids just fine.
A view from our campsite.

As dark approaches, we walk around camp with our flashlights and do some "spider hunting" - yes, there's a lot of brown wolf spiders out there. I'm thankful they're not harmful.

Jon and Joy stay up and wait for the stars to come out. Glory, Freedom and I can't take it any longer and lay down in the little tent. Later, they joined us - and there we were, we were all piled into the 2-man tent (no picture for this). We all fit, but oh God, it was hot, and we were like sardines. Glory and Freedom crashed immediately. Joy whined. Jon fidgeted. I tried not to cry as my head pounded and the crick in my neck had overcome the entire right side of my body. After a while, Jon and I couldn't take it any more and weathered the creatures of the night by sleeping on the ground on top of our sleeping bags. Once we got out of the tent, Joy was able to get some space and sleep. I always wanted to sleep under the stars...just not in Texas Hill Country with scorpions, centipedes, snakes and whatever else I couldn't think of. I thought I heard animals nearby and yelled "ya! ya! ya! --- ya! ya! ya! --- ya! ya! ya!" Jon thought I was sleep-talking and tried to pat me quiet. I just laid there and let him think that. Periodically I had to jump up and scream when a gust of wind flung a leaf onto my exposed body parts. I hoped the words in Luke 10:19 applied to my situation, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." As exhaustion came over and I watched the moon rise into the sky, I found peace in that verse and fear of the possible lurking dangers fled from me and I fell asleep.

It's morning! Life is good! We are all alive and I actually woke up refreshed and my head no longer hurt.

No, he wasn't posing, simply walking home, but it's a cute picture!

Yikes! It's steep here! Joy insisted on holding my hand during this part to camp and back. This is where I try not to imagine my children rolling down the rock to their death. Freedom sang the ENTIRE walk out. We were all so happy.

Yay! Civilization and no one is worse for the wear! The usually despised McDonald's was embraced with happy smiles!

Well, Glory might be a little worse for the wear.