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Monday evening was our Full Moon celebration. We did a single powerful working, completed the calendar schedule for the rest of the year then went out for Chinese- always a hit. Tuesday I decided was Go Outside Somewhere day. I thought about doing that Monday, but what with getting ready for the ritual and the fact that it was cloudy for most of the morning, I thought it'd be better to wait 'til it was nice and hot (this was going to involve swimming) and I didn't feel like having to plan it around anything else. Gordon said he could come along too, so our little excursion was planned.
We left a bit before lunchtime and stopped at Subway. Subway sucks, incidentally, but it was that or McDonald's (or I could've gotten my poop together enough to pack something, but that obviously didn't happen) so there you are. We arrived right at noon, and were disappointed to discover that the place was packed with people, half of which seemed to be 6 year old girls shrieking as shrilly as they could. Hamilton Pool has these lovely rock cliffs that the shrieks bounced off quite handily. Also the pool had a thin film of fruity-smelling crap floating on it, which I assume is the sunscreen of a million people. It was murky underwater too. I tried to enjoy it but there were just too many damn people. I could't swim anywhere without getting a foot to the head or having to dodge around someone. It was frustrating. I asked Gordon if he would be willing to take a trek, and he was game.
Ellen had said that if you go left at the riverside path instead of right, you'll come to the Pedernales river. I'd never tried it, but I did that day. Just headed out in my swimsuit. .6 miles isn't that far, right? Well on the longest day of the year in Texas climbing up and down rocks it can be pretty freaking far. However it was a beautiful walk and though I was a bit winded I enjoyed it, and Gordon didn't complain too much. He was in high spirits and said as long as we got home before 5pm he was happy. We made it to the river, which was wide and green and about 6 inches deep. I still enjoyed splashing around and spend some time sitting under a cypress getting chewed on by minnows, which is more relaxing than you'd think. And there were only a handful of people too.
Incidentally, I realize I'm probably over-sensitive to shrieking children, and I know they're kids and they have natural child-like exuberance and all that shit. But that doesn't change the fact that the noise sets my teeth on edge. I think I'll save future excursions for Hippie Hollow, which is 18 and over, or wait 'til school starts. Or find places less popular. I'd thought going on a Tuesday would mean less people, but not less enough, if that makes sense.
Anyway, the trudge back was a little harder because I was tired and had left my water by the pool. Gordon was kind enough to fetch it, though I got to experience an arguing couple almost come to blows in front of their kids which wasn't really fun. Gordon also mentioned that there were at least twice as many people at the pool as there were when we arrived. It was almost a relief to get back to the car and head home. Note to self, and others going to Hamilton Pool- Mopac is a hell of a lot faster than 620, even if 620 is closer. Trust me on this.
I hate to sign off sounding so bitchy. The cypress trees were gorgeous and tall, and there were zillions of fish in the pool and river, and lots of barn swallows circling around the pool. I saw a couple of anoles too. And a weird little blue flower I need to remember to look up. I also got quite a nice massage sitting under the warm waterfall. Aaah.
I think I'll hit Hippie Hollow next week. I'd also like to go to Krause Springs, which I've never visited before... but I fear they may be as busy as Hamilton. I wonder if McKinney Falls is as bad too.
We left a bit before lunchtime and stopped at Subway. Subway sucks, incidentally, but it was that or McDonald's (or I could've gotten my poop together enough to pack something, but that obviously didn't happen) so there you are. We arrived right at noon, and were disappointed to discover that the place was packed with people, half of which seemed to be 6 year old girls shrieking as shrilly as they could. Hamilton Pool has these lovely rock cliffs that the shrieks bounced off quite handily. Also the pool had a thin film of fruity-smelling crap floating on it, which I assume is the sunscreen of a million people. It was murky underwater too. I tried to enjoy it but there were just too many damn people. I could't swim anywhere without getting a foot to the head or having to dodge around someone. It was frustrating. I asked Gordon if he would be willing to take a trek, and he was game.
Ellen had said that if you go left at the riverside path instead of right, you'll come to the Pedernales river. I'd never tried it, but I did that day. Just headed out in my swimsuit. .6 miles isn't that far, right? Well on the longest day of the year in Texas climbing up and down rocks it can be pretty freaking far. However it was a beautiful walk and though I was a bit winded I enjoyed it, and Gordon didn't complain too much. He was in high spirits and said as long as we got home before 5pm he was happy. We made it to the river, which was wide and green and about 6 inches deep. I still enjoyed splashing around and spend some time sitting under a cypress getting chewed on by minnows, which is more relaxing than you'd think. And there were only a handful of people too.
Incidentally, I realize I'm probably over-sensitive to shrieking children, and I know they're kids and they have natural child-like exuberance and all that shit. But that doesn't change the fact that the noise sets my teeth on edge. I think I'll save future excursions for Hippie Hollow, which is 18 and over, or wait 'til school starts. Or find places less popular. I'd thought going on a Tuesday would mean less people, but not less enough, if that makes sense.
Anyway, the trudge back was a little harder because I was tired and had left my water by the pool. Gordon was kind enough to fetch it, though I got to experience an arguing couple almost come to blows in front of their kids which wasn't really fun. Gordon also mentioned that there were at least twice as many people at the pool as there were when we arrived. It was almost a relief to get back to the car and head home. Note to self, and others going to Hamilton Pool- Mopac is a hell of a lot faster than 620, even if 620 is closer. Trust me on this.
I hate to sign off sounding so bitchy. The cypress trees were gorgeous and tall, and there were zillions of fish in the pool and river, and lots of barn swallows circling around the pool. I saw a couple of anoles too. And a weird little blue flower I need to remember to look up. I also got quite a nice massage sitting under the warm waterfall. Aaah.
I think I'll hit Hippie Hollow next week. I'd also like to go to Krause Springs, which I've never visited before... but I fear they may be as busy as Hamilton. I wonder if McKinney Falls is as bad too.
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Date: Jun. 22nd, 2005 09:45 pm (UTC)From:I'd like to go to Hippie Hollow again sometime. The few times I've gone out there were pretty relaxing, even considering the heat and the presence of other people. I kinda doubt if I could drag