Nathan was able to extend the Labor Day holiday into a 5 day weekend and we took the opportunity for a trip to the family property in Rocksprings. Our plan was to depart Sunday and return Wednesday allowing Monday for activities at the property and Tuesday for a day visit to the nearby South Llano State Park. The weather forecast was constantly changing with rain chances and we figured we would be in the clear for the most part. Especially with the trends of this summer. This would be Sally’s first long distance road trip and I was anxious to see how she would behave in this particular environment. I was hopeful to not have to pick cactus out of her constantly! We would also be trying out the pop up at the property for the first time and were really excited about the prospect of having additional lodging space. Nathan even managed to fabricate and weld a rack onto the front of the trailer for the generator and gas can before our trip. Something that will come in handy for any future trips anywhere!

Our ride out was seamless and fun. I really like the new route we have now that we don’t travel from Houston via I-10. Once we arrived, there was some trial and error for where to place the camper for the most level ground and accessibility. However, after only one rehitch and move, we had it set and leveled just in time for the first downpour of rain. We took the opportunity for an early dinner under the shed and were able to pop up and settle in after eating.

The kids and Sally spent the rest of the evening exploring around camp. Everyone including the dog did really well minding their surroundings and would even disappear out of sight as a group. The kids attributed Sally with leading them back to camp when they felt turned around. Haha!

We settled into the camper for the night just before dark and the start of yet another rain shower. Yay.

The rain was light and off/on all night and the following morning was humid and wet, but not saturated. Our generator also managed to run the camper AC on one tank of gas for a full 11 hours before I got up and turned it off! We were also greeted by one of the more colorful sunrises I’ve seen there!

After Nathan cooked breakfast, we took off down the hill for a hike and to check the feeders. The kids had a blast climbing the tripod and exploring PawPaw’s recent bulldozer work. Nathan was disappointed to learn his trail cam had been busted up by animals, but everything else looked good.

On our way back up the hill Ashlyn noticed the prickly pear cactus apples were a ripe dark pink and fixated on trying one. She retrieved a cup and some tongs from camp and set off to harvest some. Once she returned with a cup full and after a quick google reference, I managed to peel and de-seed a few for consumption. Ashlyn loved them! My best description is they tasted somewhere between a watermelon, kiwi, strawberry and an apple; but with a salty aftertaste. Weird.

Weston even enjoyed a solo walkabout and disappeared for 20 minutes after asking permission. He returned in time for lunch and after that it was pew pew time ;). Nathan and I managed to put substantial rounds through many firearms that we have not shot in ages. Even some that have never been shot! Nathan pulled some clay birds for me and I feel like I’m properly warmed up for our upcoming dove hunt. I definitely enjoyed the kids cheering whenever I busted one. Which was only about a third of what Nathan threw. 😆 The kids did fantastic in allowing this activity with their safety consciousness and instruction following.

Ashlyn surprised me when she asked to not only shoot the .410, but also my handgun. She and her Daddy worked well together and it was a positive experience for all. I look forward to backing her interest in handguns up to a .22 revolver to work on aim and handling then back up to semi autos. She is already farther along than I was at her age.

Sally was phenomenal! I was concerned about her reaction to the noise of gunfire but after closely watching her lack of reaction every time we fired, I have decided we have the PERFECT DOG. Dinner was delicious that evening and after the dirty kids received sponge baths, they settle in for bed just before dark ready to play in the Llano River the next day. Nathan and I went to bed and hour or so later after a rain-less day and thought nothing of the lightening on the western horizon.

The shit show storm showed up about 10:30 that night and never. went. away. The kids managed sleep with minimal tossing and turning during the wind, pounding rain, lightening and thunder. Nathan slept off and on. I, however, went back and forth from laying awake panicking over how we would get down the almost 2 mile long dirt and rock road without getting stuck to sitting up holding brace bars that were trying to collapse in the high winds. Freaking sucked.

At about 5 am, the rain slacked to a shower and Nathan and I found cell signal enough to see that the rain would not be letting up for days and another heavy band would be there by the afternoon. We were already sloshing around in puddles and slick mud and made the decision that it was too late for the camper to get out but we could attempt with the car. The kids were able to hang in the cabin until we had locked down everything and loaded what we could fit in the car. By 8 or so we were off and with Nathan walking ahead to survey troublesome sections of road and me behind the wheel, we thankfully got to the highway after much drifting and sliding through the muddy roads.

Once realized we had made it out and Llano State Park wasn’t an option anymore, we just didn’t feel like throwing in the towel and going home with 2 full days left of vacation. I caught the kids off guard initially when I told them, “we have practically the whole State between here and home, pick a place.” Haha. Nathan was thinking Fredericksburg for nearby location and entertainment options when the kids said they wanted to do the “chocolate place we saw on the drive out.” Which turned out to be a chocolate manufacturer and tasting room on the outskirts of Fredericksburg. Nathan searched and read reviews for budget and dog friendly hotels while I drove and we arrived in town by 10:30.

We were wet, muddy and tired and the sweet hotel manager took pity and said she would get us in by 1 pm, 2 hours ahead of normal check in time. We killed time at HEB and picnicked at a park near the grocery store. The kids experienced and fell in love with a skate park. I honestly thought their use of it looked more fun!

We even squeezed in the 15 minute drive over to Luckenbach before checking into our hotel and the kids got to take in the sights.

Showers felt amazing and we caught a second wind! The chocolate tasting room the kids wanted was only open on weekends, but we found another shop that sold fine chocolates on Main St that was open. It was so exquisite! We each selected one piece from their truffles, silk fudges, barks….other kinds that I’m sure I’m forgetting… and set off on foot with Sally. We wanted to end up at Fredericksburg Brewing Co., but they were not dog friendly, even on their patio. Boo. We then passed a sign for Texas Wine Cellars that stated they were “pup friendly”. Turned out, they were not just a wine bar! There was a large variety of taps and bottled root beers, so everyone enjoyed a beverage while Sally got to be with her people. 5 stars for Texas Wine Cellars! After a quick peek in an all dog merchandise store called Dogologie, we made our way back to the hotel for dinner. I made nachos in the microwave and it was yummy and easier than trying to find somewhere to take Sally. It was supposed to be our camp dinner that night anyways!

We stayed in the rest of the night and all were sacked by 8pm. Wednesday morning we slept in, took our time loading the car and decided that we had all day to get home, so why not get a state park visit in afterall? We selected LBJ State and National Historical Site; thoroughly enjoyed 3 hours there and after a slight detour to Cabelas in Buda caused us to sit in 5 o’clock traffic around Austin, we arrived home a little before 10pm.

Nathan continued to check the weather while we were in Fredericksburg, and the Rocksprings area got another 4 inches of rain by the time we got home. I’m so glad we called it on Tuesday morning! While we had to alter plans, I’m so grateful for the sweet and memorable time all FIVE of us (and Sally) got to enjoy together. Now to plan and execute “operation camper retrieval” LOL

-Lindsay