Hello June?

Apparently I am only checking in about once a month here.  I really cannot believe it is almost July!

It has been 100+ degrees here everyday for at least the last three weeks.  Outside, it feels a like a hairdryer blowing on your face.  Therefore, the only two comfortable places to be are indoors (but not too much air conditioning, please) or in water.  I will also add a third place- the top of a mountain where we finally felt a cool breeze again this past weekend :)

What is one to do when it is super duper hot?  Go further into the desert, of course! Although it sounds counterintuitive, ‘Headin’ West’ (I couldn’t help myself :)) was just what we did.  Why?  Because about two hours west of here are beautiful desert mountains and the most gorgeous and refreshing natural spring pool that I have ever been in.  We have taken trips before to the Davis Mountains since it is one of our favorite things in this area.  We took Greg’s sister and her fiancé there last January. 

On this trip, we stayed at the Indian Lodge, which is nestled directly inside the state park and right beside a trailhead.  Given the fact that I am pretty comfortable camping, I felt a bit wussy for opting for the lodge instead of “roughing it” in a tent.  However, a few things made me come to peace with this:

1. Air conditioning

2. A private shower where I didn’t have to wear flip flops

3. A comfortable bed

4. A quiet place to set up the travel crib

and 5. We got to see loads of nature from the walkway since we were in the middle of the mountains.  Sitting outside of our room, we saw a fox, an enormous raccoon (that literally chased me inside of the room), an owl, and three javelinas. 

We only had time to photograph the not-pigs (but look-a-likes, yes.)

 

Here we are on our hike.  Wanting a little extra exercise, I *begged* Greg to let me wear the toddler ;)

Remember the cool breeze that I referenced?  It felt lovely.

Ahhh… The view.

There was something so awesome about sharing a hike with Geneva.  She was a real trooper as we climbed up rocks and ducked under thorn bushes. 

Here she is being silly in the car on our way out of the park.

Since the weather was right for it (i.e. meltdown city), we also stopped at Balmorhea State Park on the way home.  There, we chilled out in the 72 degree water, fed fish, and the older set of us even took a leap off of the high dive.

Out in the deeper area (up to 25 feet deep), the water was the bluest I have ever seen fresh water. 

Here you can see a black catfish, whose species only lives at this spring-fed pool.

Geneva became fast friends with an older lady who showed her how to throw bits of Fritos into the water and attract loads of little fish.

Greg was the first to make the dive.  He was much braver than I.

I was much more timid as I slowly crept to the edge and finally jumped in feet first.

So, TA DA!  That was our fun weekend out (further) West!

(By the way, this is Geneva’s current go-to pose when she is modeling for the camera).