Another side trip on our three day holiday weekend over Thanksgiving was a special excursion to go into the heart of the Hill Country of Texas to see the Autumn foliage and the color change. It was to the Pedernales State Park/Pedernales River. Because of the drought the last two years, the water was scarce, but still some running water...usually quite some waterfalls. Not so, this season; but still beautiful area. Pedernales Falls State Park is located 10 miles (16 km) east of Johnson City. The park is on the Pedernales River, 14 miles (23 km) southwest of the river's mouth at Lake Travis. Before 1970, the area that is now Pedernales Falls State Park was a working ranch, known as the Circle Bar Ranch. The state of Texas purchased the land for the park in 1970, and the park opened in 1973....
you can click on image #1 here and then get a slide show of them with a larger view...
Connecting to:
Outdoor Wednesday
Watery Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday
HODGEPODGE
Joyce has these questions for us this week...
1. Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking. The tradition is just hanging our stockings by the 'chimney with care'. When our kids were home and young, Santa would fill their stockings with small toys, etc. Now that they're gone, we have two mini stockings for our kitties and one large one for Bud and medium for me. And ONE TINY one in case Santa decides to give us only coal [far left]...he knows if we've been bad or good y'know!! They're all the fuzzy furry type....
2. How many hours of sleep do you average at night? Is it enough? Between 6 and 7 hours probably. I never pay that much attention to the time...I go to sleep when I'm tired, and wake up when I wake up.
3. If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be? Housework!
4. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals? I did read about this event. And got a kick out of the media trying to name the child/children - rumor has it the Duchess's illness is usually caused by carrying twins?!!!
5. For me, the sound of childhood is laughter/giggles.
6. Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit? Fruitcake is okay. I can eat it, and I like it...but it's not something I'd miss if it were not around. My favorite fruit dessert is pie....always pie!!! Apple, blackberry, cherry....
7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end? Nuttin' Honey!!! If I force myself to set a goal and not accomplish it, I'd then be disappointed...
8. Insert your own random thought here. The weather here is unbelievable!! By now it's usually in the mid 60s low 70s at the peak of the day....the last three days it's been high 80s!! And the A/c is still running. Where's South Texas Winter?
CONNECTING TO:
Beautiful pictures of the park!
ReplyDeleteGiving up housework sounds good to me. :)
...it IS a very pretty section of the state, to be sure....any time of year.
DeleteLove your answer to #3-I despise housework. Weather here has been nice-high 60's which is unusual. Some people aren't complaining, but being a teacher I am hoping for a little snow so I can have a snow day-haha
ReplyDeletesnow days have to be made up tho, don't they?
DeleteLovely photography ~ beautiful ~ (A Creative Harbor) ~ artmusedog and Carol ^_^
ReplyDelete...thanks Carol
DeleteThat picture is stunning, Anni! I don't have a Christmas stocking, other than the one I lost the other day. Maybe that mate-less sock can double as one! :-)
ReplyDelete...yep, that'll work.
DeleteBeautiful fall reflection shot
ReplyDeleteOur weather for the past 3 days have been above normal...high 60's...now its dropping down to the 40's. Just enjoy while you can...I hate the cold!
I hate cold too, but I'd like to have it, cooler right now.
DeleteI have already given up housework. Hubby does most of it now. I learned to delegate early.
ReplyDeleteI would if I could get by with it, Bud seems to know my strategies all too well.
DeleteI'm with you on pie. Love pie!
ReplyDelete...someone mentioned apple dumplings...now I'm hungry for them too.
DeleteI agree with you on giving up housework. I do less than I used to but I would not mind doing it totally.
ReplyDeleteYour photos were just breath taking. We are also having above norm temps for Dec. I heard that this weekend we are to get a cold front and possible snow. BLAH I hate the cold, I am a big whimp!!!!
Hugs
Ewwwwwww. snow?!! Ewwww.
DeleteLove the colors of fall. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete...glad you enjoyed the photos Joani
DeletePedernales is one of my favorite parks in the area, but I haven't had a chance to get there in a while. Glad there's still a few drops of water in the river, and that you had a chance to enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI was telling Bud on our way home after the 3 days, that I wish we had the hill country HERE AND OCEAN. :o)
DeleteOh what amazing photos you have from the park. I especially like the one looking into the cave.
ReplyDeleteHousework...I'd love to give it up too! But, I kind of like being able to walk through the house without tripping over things. My husband is a SLOB and Never picks up anything. Drives me insane. He went to a seminar and when he got back placed his over night bag on the floor beside the bed. He took out the dirty clothes inside it and told me not to unpack the rest of it, that he would do it. That was in JUNE and the bag is still there. It doesn't bother him in the least and at this point I refuse to remove it.
The weather here has been unseasonably warm also. It has made outside chores a bit more pleasant. No AC running, but no heat either.
...that would drive me insane...I'd be chewing some royal butt for hubby to put it away. Now, or lose it somehow mysteriously.
DeleteOh, I'd give up housework in a nanosecond! Of course, who else would get it done? Love those pretty pictures you posted!
ReplyDelete...thanks April. I think at one point in time, everyone would give up housework. LOL
DeleteI enjoyed your pictures, I need to go there sometime since that's not all that far away from us.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Oh you should try and get there...Caleb would have a blast!!
DeleteOh my they are beautiful. Of course as I am a native Texan I really love it there! You got some terrific shots.
ReplyDeleteI have already given up housework....lol...so I'll have to think on that question.
Currently do to what our family just went through I am lucky to get 2 to 3 hours of sleep. That's not too far from normal for me though. I seem to average only 3 to 5 hours on a good night. I stay tired but I can't sleep longer anymore to save my life!!
Happy day to you:-)
...wish I could give up housework...maybe hire someone to come in and clean for me, but I know I'd be behind them doing it 'my way'. LOL 2 to 3 hours sleep? Are you insane. I'd be dragging about 3 hours after getting up; I know.
DeleteOh Anni, lovely shots, great reflections in the first one!
ReplyDelete...thanks Karen...it IS a very pretty area during the autumn color changes.
DeleteMy favorite is the first photo - I love the color of the trees and the reflection of those trees on the lake! sandie
ReplyDelete...it was a beautiful area.
Deletenice trip I´d say. :)
ReplyDelete...yes, it was.
DeleteWe had a warmish day yesterday (near 60) but its back to the colder temps this evening and we're supposed to get really cold by the weekend. Actually that's how I like December...I wouldn't mind snow, but not til my girls are home for the holidays!
ReplyDeleteJoyce, I completely understand what you mean about having snow.........AFTER everyone is home; safe.
DeleteVery pretty pictures of the park. Love that reflection in the first one.
ReplyDeleteI also love your answer to number 7 and that's how I feel. It's better not to set goals, I just can't deal with disappointing myself any more....lol
...it frustrates the heck out of me if I don't accomplish, so why set a goal?
DeleteI was laughing at the press this morning about the morning sickness and twins. The press is ridiculous. All of them. I'd give up housework too! That was a great answer! I said I'd give up the extra pounds I'm still carrying around.
ReplyDelete...smart gal. I'd give up some of my extra pounds around the middle. I do tend to collect fat cells there.
DeleteMuch here could bw prettier, but it's still pretty. The Maumee River, a block away from us, is noticeably low this year. I do hope we get enough snow to bring it back up...I just want it to be while I've won a 2-week Hawaiian vacation. :)
ReplyDeleteI usually go to bed before I'm tired, but I prefer to go to bed when Hubby does rather than wake him up when I go up later. I usually wake up before the alarm or turn it off ad go back to sleep, so I sleep like you do; I wake up when OI wake up. :)
I can't understand sometimes why people look at the clock. Of course I don't work anymore outside the home, so that does make a difference I suppose.
DeleteI so agree with you about housework being something to give up!!!! Wish I'd thought of that!
ReplyDelete...it becomes very mundane, quickly.
DeleteHope it will rain in Texas great photos. ^_^
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Water World Wednesday
Kim,USA
...I wish it would too Kim. Thanks for hosting.
DeleteI love that you have a tiny stocking for coal! What a great idea! :D And I'm always willing to give up housework. #7- smart woman. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL....that was something I couldn't resist when I saw that tiny, tiny stocking...it'd be perfect for that chunk of coal from Santa in those years I've been a bad girl. LOL
DeleteHi Anni, Glad you saw a little Fall color in the Hill Country.. That drought last year really did a number on that part of Texas I'm sure.... Too Bad!
ReplyDeleteI always like reading your answers to the questions. I do NOT like fruitcake--never have! I'd give up housework anytime!!!! ha
Hugs,
Betsy
Fruitcake is something of an acquired taste...like cilantro. LOL...seriously. I think we'd all gladly give up housework.
DeleteLove those photos of the park! Thanks for joining WWA this week - I enjoyed reading your thoughts as always...hope you are doing well!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see you here Linda. Long time no see. I too hope you're doing well.
DeleteI said laughter, too, for sounds of childhood.
ReplyDelete...you, me and a lot of Hodgepodgers said laughter. Now, where is that homemade popcorn!?!! ;o)
DeleteMuy bellas las imagenes que combinas, gracias por compartir.
ReplyDeleteYa ha llegado el mes mas entrañable del año, cargado de alegrÃas para unos y lleno de nostalgias para otros por los seres mas queridos que ya no están, al mismo tiempo con la tristeza de todas aquellas personas sin hogar, de todo corazón deseo que la paz y la felicidad visiten tu casa y disfrutes de estas fiestas con tus familiares.
un abrazo.
...thank you for your beautiful holiday sentiment Ricardo. As I send along to you.
DeleteHi Anni, your photo is very pretty as are all the other ones from Hill Country. When I was young I never liked fruitcake but do now. I haven't taken any bird pictures lately. I need to get hot so that I can participate in Bird D'Pot. Have a great day!
ReplyDelete...thanks Denise. Ya, get crackin' girl...bird photos. LOL...no worries, seriously tho, those feathered friends are out and about whenever you get a chance.
DeleteI am jealous of your weather :) Enjoy the heat! Fruit pizza is super yummy you should google it and try it... basically a giant sugar cookie crust with cream cheese and some other thing mixed in, spread over the cookie and add fruit. Super yummo!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...rich, ooey, gooey good then, right?
DeleteLove your answer to #3. I love pies ... and I think I make a pretty decent pie, if I do say so myself. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I go to bed when I'm tired and get up when I wake up ... and that usually gives me about 8 hours of sleep.
you and me both!!!
DeleteBeautiful photos from Pedernales Park. Mickie :)
ReplyDelete...glad you enjoyed them Mickie; thanks.
DeleteI have never posted random questions on my blog and yet, I have the most fun contemplating yours! Gives me food for thought that I munch on through the day! One thing to accomplish before the end of 2012...clean my desk!
ReplyDelete...well, these questions aren't random by me; they're from Wednesday Hodgepodge...a meme.
DeleteAwesome.
ReplyDelete...thanks Denise.
DeleteBeautiful photos and I agree to #3.
ReplyDelete...glad you liked the post and photos Eden.
DeleteHa ha to number 3!
ReplyDeleteAnd though people carrying mulitple babies at once are more likely to get more morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum can affect anyone. I have a friend that has it at the moment (and had it with her last pregnancy) and she was only carrying one. Other friends who had it were all carrying only one baby. My friend just had twins and she says she felt equally bad on the sickness front as she did with her previous singular pregnancy - the only difference was she got a 'bump' much more quickly. :)
...interesting....but you know how the media likes to exaggerate things.
DeleteBeautiful, beautiful scenic images. So pretty!
ReplyDelete...thanks Holly.
DeleteI'll bet this is breath-taking in person. Maybe on our way to Fredricksburg, we can make a trip to this park.
ReplyDeleteIt IS gorgeous...especially in the Fall.
Delete