Saturday, July 20, 2013
Easy peasy two-hour drive was accomplished this morning from San
Antonio to Austin, Texas. When we reached McKinney Falls State Park at
11:45 a.m., a sign informed us the campground is sold out. Good thing I
made reservations four weeks ago!! We will be here for four nights.
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Back-in
site #27 was assigned to us, but the ranger told us if we didn’t like
it we could drive around and find a site we do like, then call to find
out if it’s available. Site 27 had no appeal for us whatsoever. We drove
around and found a pull-through site we liked, called the office and
were approved for the pull-through site, no extra charge. So nice here;
but hot and sunny. Here we are, all set up.
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Our home for four nights! |
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Nice and spacious. |
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We have a fire ring and no fire restrictions! |
Did I ever tell you all how much I love nature? Just a
few minutes ago, a deer ran by our 5th wheel and a squirrel is hanging
around outside our door.
After going to the
Visitor Center, walking to Upper and Lower McKinney Falls, and going
grocery shopping, we were in mellow vacation mode.
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McKinney Falls State Park |
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Upper Falls Swimming Hole |
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Upper McKinney Falls swimming hole–dry falls. |
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Upper McKinney Falls swimmin’ hole cypress trees. |
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Visitor Center at the park. |
At the Visitor Center, we saw man-made
chimney swift towers. Chimney swifts historical natural nests used to be
hollow old-growth trees. However, since most old-growth trees were
logged years ago, the swifts adapted to man-made structures. The towers
are for birds to roost and nest in.
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Chimney swift tower. |
We took the short walk to Lower McKinney Falls. Can anyone
identify the flowers? The first flower is
white with yellow center. The second is like a jack-in-the-pulpit.
There’s a pod with a very small purple “head” poking out.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWkk8T4aerI/UetXZneGGHI/AAAAAAAAUvs/weQeZ9CIhgY/s320/IMG_9092+%28800x600%29.jpg)
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Swimmin’ hole at Lower McKinney Falls. |
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We can’t wait to go swimming! |
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Interesting potholes in the rock. |