Kerrville Pk Wed 4-14

Eds Adventures: It was rainy and cool so I drove around the hill country to Bandera, where Sue and Glen will be gong for a John Gibson's wake. Can you believe it I just happen to be in the same area about 20 miles away. I may be close enought to see them this weekend. I drove through Camp Verde, outpost from 1858 and the military tried using camels for traveling and communications did not work so much for them. Also the country roads wound around the medina river and looked like great places to kayak but most of all land is privately owned and fencing everywhere so would be difficult.

I stopped at a rv site and they told me that Lost Maple is a St Natural area with lots of hiking on 337 in Vanderpool on the Sabinal River 6th river of my trip. I hiked the east trail 4.8 miles with a 1.5 mile steep incline. I need to get more excersize as yesterday biking and today hiking is giving me the motovation to really get in shape, especially if I want to do some trail work. The views and hiking even in the rain were out of nthis world. You would never believe you are in Texas. I am amazed at the area and am going to stay at Lost Maple St Natural area from Thurs-Mon and continue the slow journey to Big Bend, Want to stay away on weeknds.

This area is in prime bird migration for goldend cheeked warbler, black cappedvireo, hummbirds, butterflies and Sat there is a bird watching guided tour at lost Maple by Les and his wife who I met today. They said the indigo warbler, and painted bunting have not arrived yet. Some of the bird populations are down from 2 year drought that killed off the birds that relay on this area for resting  feeding and nesting before moving on. That and a cold winter where plants and flowers are blooming are late may be a cause but the golden cheeked warblers are here so hope top get some great viewing here.

I spoke with John Stewert 21 year veteran of Tx State park and wildlife and 4 years at Lost Maple. I did my first audio interview with a list of prepared questions about Ecosystem, flora fauna, natural resources, environmental impacts, funding staff conservatiuon projects. He spent about 20 minutes talking about the unique ecosystem where there is a mix of desert, succulants cactus and hardwoods along with a geology of 50 million year old limestone beds. The porous stone and erosion form springs that at lost maple show wate that tests 5-15 thousand years old and some of the cleanest and coldest water 50-60degrees when it is 100degrees outside. Wow what a great history and learning opportunity for me today. John was exactly the type of person needed in our parks. Hope to continue this everywhere I go.
What a good day although rainy and forcast looks like the same for several days. I tested my rain gear today Cabelas jacket held up well and was dry after 2 hours of hiking in drizzle. The LL Bean boots are great except I had on tennis lowcut socks and got a blister by the end. What a rookie mistake, but learned my lesson and have a pair of emergency socks, not to mention emergency kit water, and supplies in the car.  

Hope to get some kayaking in on one of the many rivers around here but difficult access with roads, dams etc cutting through and rainy weather. Hope you enjoy some of the pics. ps: the birds are from pics inside the nature center but rest are the real thing. Hope to have my own pics of the birds by the weekend.

Hope everyone is doing well!! Please feel free to post comments and any abuse is welcome as I stumble my way through this adventure. Well it is getting late althoug my days are so filled with chores and activities but going to bed later as I write and read more now. I seem to only need about 6 hrs of sleep. Tonight may be my first night of rain on the camper. I may have to put in the ear plugs to sleep.

God Bless

Thanks for your support

Ed