April 6 - Wind, ghosts, flora & Fauna

We went into town to check the air on the CRV tires.  There was a strong north wind and the water flow over the dam had increased to a steady flow.  A water snake was swimming across (not in photo).

Mineral Springs is most famous for its Baker Hotel.  There are 2 old hotels left over from the heyday  of the 1900's when tourists came to the highly popular mineral springs.  Today it is in decay and the site of ghost tours on Saturdays.  It has beautiful stone work and balconies and must have been quite the place in its glory days.

Baker Hotel

most fast food spots in a town we've seen so far

We drove out to Penitentiary Hollow in the park which has a viewpoint and is popular with rock climbers.

I will not miss the snakes of Texas.  There are 68 species of snake in Texas.  I have seen more snakes in the last week than I saw in the last 18 months.  Guaranteed at least 2 snakes a day swimming by our RV window and others along the trails, where I'm fishing, etc.  Then, I was driving out and thought I saw a mouse on the road.  Twas not a mouse, my first wild tarantula, I think I like the snakes better.

tarantula (mouse size)

Other pleasanter photos.

about an inch long beetle found on oaks

Kirk and I spotted this giant Rock Toad in our walking travels.  My mother would love it for her garden.

April 5 - Fishes

We decided to stay until Friday morning after checking out the weather forecast.  I went fishing in the morning and in the afternoon.  I took Kirk in the afternoon and I think he lost a pound shaking while I caught and released fish.  They were small but fun.  White crappies and bluegill.

Bluegill

White Crappie

Otherwise, just relaxing at our site.

April 4 - Mineral Wells area

Kirk and I went for our morning walk.

Cardinal

our campsite in early morning

Later we visited Clark Gardens near the park.  Quite an amazing garden for an out of the way spot.

azaleas

even saw a water snake here 

Peacock in Clark Gardens

We toured the nearby town of Mineral Wells. Then spent the afternoon relaxing at our campsite enjoying 30 degrees.

April 3 - Lake Mineral Wells State Park, Tx.

We left Jellystone early, restocked our groceries and headed for Lake Mineral Wells State Park.  It was another lovely wildflower strewn drive.   This time with purple and solid pink paintbrushes as well as the usual bluebonnet lupines and peaches and cream paintbrush.  

 yes, that is the road into the campsites down there

hope it doesn't rain

Mineral Wells was emptying out of the weekenders when we got here.  It went from packed to nobody but a couple of campers in about 2 hours.

eye level, hmm

Kirk's not so sure about this

We are camped right on the water and if the lake rises even a bit we could be in it.  It is old growth post oak and blackjack oak forest mixed with grasses and cacti.  

The lake has numerous species of fish and Kirk and I spent about an hour in the heat of the day trying to catch one.  We also walked about 2 miles of trail.  We were tuckered out when we spotted Cam cruising by and caught a ride back. 

98 Km. 

April 2 - Jellystone

Took a long walk around the trails and site of Jellystone today.  Lots of families having fun.  Saw some interesting statuary made from what looks like rebar.

is that bear texting?

the Bear Roll train

would you let them pull your kid around in one of these flat out behind a golf cart?

We had lunch from the Pic-nic Basket.  When in Rome, I say.  Saw the fire truck rides.  I was invited to paint ceramics but declined.  Candy bingo was tempting though.  Tonight there was a live guitarist singing Hotel California and other such for about 2 hours and fireworks.   All "free" with our camping fee.  Some people are really getting their monies worth here.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (the Texas Bird of Paradise)

April 1 - Burleson Tx

We drove from Palmetto State park to Burleson Tx just outside Fort Worth today.  We went straight north on the I35 through Austin and Waco, don't think we'll do that again.  Had some slowdowns from 75 mph to almost 30 mph due to construction and towns so it took longer than expected and I hate the constant traffic.  Next time its back onto the back roads of hill country like last year.

Paintbrush and Bluebonnet lupine flowers along highway

The flowers continue along even the freeway in waves.  Kirk and I went for a walk and found the park name sake and just had to have a photo.

bring back any memories Cindy?

A little area of contrasts.  A bit of nature struggling against the ever growing manmade amusement park.

I guess if you had kids they would enjoy it.  Our nature loving friends would be horrified, I should book a little earlier for a Friday & Saturday!  Ok, Cam & I just saw a bear driving a golf cart with a pack of kids chasing him, must have been something in the Domino's pizza we just ate. 

a duck, Kirk and I enjoyed this spot

368 Km.