Pedernales Falls

I found this random post from about four years ago that Andrew made, and never published.  Oops.  I haven't made any posts in a while (I do intend to post again-in the future)  I thought I would share this one for now.  I don't know if it will show up in GooGle Reader or not.  This was our Camping trip while we were in Texas.  Just FYI, even the first week of May is too hot to be outside in Texas.  We nearly died but it was fun.  

May 2008
Posted by Andrew

This last weekend we finally went go camping at Pedernales Falls State Parkwith some friends from the ward Mick and Holly Place. We've lived here three years and have had all our camping stuff just never gone. Don't get the wrong idea they're not much of water falls but they are pretty cool anyway. The weather was HOT! Like 96° and 61% humidity. Corbin had trouble going to sleep it was so hot, not to mention the rest of us. But besides the heat we had lots of fun. When we got there we had to set up camp so the first thing we did was set out the pack and play. Carter has figured out the game of dropping toys/food/pacifiers then crying to get attention. It's cute the first time but when you've been in the car for 4+ hours playing the game picking up the pacifier it gets old.

Cactus Trouble

We hadn't been there long, Mick and Holly were barely getting there tent set up, when Corbin walked into a Cactus, barefoot too. He was not a happy camper as I pulled out the eight needles that went through his jeans and into his legs. We were able to get him to wear his shoes a lot easier after that. Ouch!Learning the hard way.

Andrew starting playing with fire, again.

Despite the heat you can't go camping without a camp fire. That and we had to have a fire to cook over. And what's a camp fire without Smore's? Corbin liked playing with the marshmallows, perhaps even more so than eating the
Chocolaty Sticky Joy.

Look at me, cause I'm look'n at you.I'm a fuffy bunny

Sleeping that night, was a little hard as it was so hot. But we managed to survive, gives me appreciation to the pioneers who did this kind of stuff, but without some of the conveniences that we enjoy like tents with zippers or even shorts for that matter.

After breakfast Carter needed to go down for his nap so Tiffany stayed with him and cleaned up camp while the rest of us went on a hike to the 'falls'. Like I said they were not much of a water fall, but it was cool anyway. Tiffany missed out not being with us on this hike. Here is a random assortment of some good pictures we took before we broke camp.

Pretty Bird

That's My Boy!

Tree Hugger!

We left Pedernales to do some rock climbing and have lunch. We had a little bit or a hard time hiking into the ravine as we has to do it with two kids. It was so gorgeous down there. Lots of lush green vegetation, and cool caves which Corbin loved. It was at least ten if not twenty degrees cooler in the ravine but it was still hot. Tiffany and I both made two climbs. Corbin even made his first climb (in a harness and with someone supporting him). He climbed up 8 or so feet before coming back down. Tiff and Holly heading back while I made one more climb. They found a fresh spring creek and stripped Corbin and Carter down to their underwear (aka diaper) and let them play. They loved it Corbin was rolling around and Carter was splashing everyone. This water was just right to cool off from the day's heat. Not like Utah's mountain streams that are cold any time of the year.

When we had had enough the we got the boys dressed again and hiked out. Carter was so tired that right after we had gotten him dressed he fell asleep in our our arms. Tiffany hiked out with him in her arms which was not exactly an easy task for some of the slopes we had to go up. Corbin was really tired and had to be carried some of the way. He fell asleep as soon as we put him in the car. The boys had had a really long day, but I think that they both had fun. Thanks to the Places for going with us and helping to keep Corbin in tow, they are like his second parents.