davis mountains state park

There is one post tagged davis mountains state park.

Dismal when we got here, but then we saw wild pigs (the kind that can maim a dog) and swam wit’ da fishes

People aren’t kidding when they tell you West Texas is vast, wild and untamed. In fact, West Texas is the very definition of vast, wild and untamed. Look it up in a dictionary. I’m pretty sure it’s there. 
 
We’re parked at Davis Mountains State Park for a few days, and here’s what we’ve seen and done so far: 
When we got here, it looked like this. Brrrrrr and wet.

When we got here, it looked like this: brrrrrr and wet.

But the next morning? A herd of javelinas (see the baby?) next to our campsite!

But the next morning? There was a herd of javelinas (see the baby?) next to our campsite!

I thought this one was a rock. Until it moved.

I thought this one was a rock. Then it moved.

Sunday morning: a trip into town to get connected

Sunday morning: a trip into town to get connected

Nothing like a good old fashioned diner breakfast, with scenery like this!

Nothing like a good old fashioned diner breakfast, seated right next to an old-fashioned soda fountain!

Yyyyep. That about sums it up, in the best possible sarcastic way.

Yyyyep. That about sums it up, in the best possible sarcastic way.

Views from our hike on Sunday afternoon. We could see the McDonald Observatory from the trail. It's about 15 miles away, and we're going there on Tuesday for a tour and star party.

Views from our hike on Sunday afternoon. We could see the McDonald Observatory from the trail. It’s about 15 miles away, and we’re going there on Tuesday.

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Mule deer in the park. There's always that one...

Mule deer in the park. There’s always that one deer…

Adventure 2: The pool at Balmorhea State Park

Before today, I’d have said “You’re full of shit” to any one of these predictions

  1. You will swim in a spring-fed pool that’s so deep, people go scuba diving in it.
  2. And there will be fish and ducks swimming it it with you.
  3. And it’ll be 57 degrees outside, because it’s the last day of November.
From the park web site, “More than 15 million gallons of water flow through the pool each day, gushing from the San Solomon Springs. The pool is up to 25 feet deep, covers 1.75 acres, and holds 3.5 million gallons of water. The water temperature stays at 72 to 76 degrees year-round.” Well hello there, bucket list item we didn’t even know we had!
Tim contemplated it in his sweater for a few minutes...

Tim contemplated it in his sweater for a few minutes…

And despite the cold, the fish, the ducks (see them behind us?), and the depth, we took the plunge! Hey. I had cancer and teenagers at the same time. Not so much scares me anymore. Plus, I was wearing my magic shoes (see video below).

But despite the cold, the fish, the ducks (see them behind us?), and the depth, we took the plunge!
Hey. I had cancer and teenagers at the same time. Not so much scares me anymore. Plus, I was wearing my magic shoes (see video below).

That's me! In the deepest part of the deep! With the ducks!

That’s me! In the deepest part of the deep! With the ducks!

For those who are interested in the sciency part

For those who are interested in the sciency part

 Look. Some people need goggles, or nose clips, or a t-shirt for swimming. I happen to need shoes. I call them my magic shoes, I don’t care what you think, and I’m not giving them up anytime soon.