Davis Mountains State Park, Ft. Davis TX

We came in yesterday after a nice sunny drive from Llano.  I got into the WiFi once for a couple minutes and thought I had it made.  Nope.  Could not get in again.
Today, Monday, we are hiking the Skyline Trail and went part way down to Ft. Davis.  Cal was getting a bit bothered by the heat, more the sun than actual temperature, but enough that we turned back early.  No matter.  This is a very scenic place to sit and blog.  This ridge is over 5000' with great views.
We plan to run in to Ft. Davis after writing this for a little shopping.  I remember a great nut store here!  Still looking for a propane part, found a little leak in a hose from one tank.  I just keep that tank shut off.  But that creates a supply problem in that it won't auto switch when the first tank is empty.

So, no cell at camp and intermittent WiFi.   So who knows when we’ll get the next entry!

Evening update; it's like a lottery gamble to get a connection here, but I got one tonight!  They have a few hotspots around the campground and they only handle a certain amount of bandwidth.  So it's luck of the draw to see if you get any. 
We did some shopping in Ft. Davis, bought some nuts, checked out some oddball shops and went looking for a propane hose adapter.  I went into the only hardware store in town and did not find what I needed.  As I walked out a guy called to me to see what I needed.  It was the driver of a propane delivery truck.  He took me out to his truck and dumped out a jug of connectors to see if he head the right thing.  He didn't but told me his company's office is in Alpine (24 miles south) and they would build me whatever I need, they build high pressure hoses all the time.  During this one of the store guys, the manager I think, a tall guy in a well worn cowboy hat, comes out to talk.  He asks if I know anyone in Alburgh!  His niece lives there, works for ICE.
We have scheduled a ranger guided hike tomorrow morning into one of the area that are restricted to guide tours.  After that we were planning to go either to Alpine or Marfa (nearby larger towns) to stock up on a few items before going to Terlingua (which has little retail).  So it'll be Alpine.  Convenient.  When I switched tanks tonight I discovered that the second hose also has a leak!  Good grief!

Thursday thru Saturday photos

It may be Monday but we're catching up with stuff.
Thursday at So. Llano River State Park:

Friday hiking at So. Llano River SP

Saturday bird-watching and hiking the West Canyon Loop at So. Llano SP:

S Llano River SP day 3

Started out watching some birds at the blind while waiting for the turkey roosting area to open at 10.  They close that area so the Rio Grande Turkeys can roost in peace.  We went walking through half of that area and then went back to the south end of the park to hike the West Canyon Loop.  This trail had a lot more hill to it than what we did yesterday. 
After hiking we are now in Junction doing some laundry.  The cell connection is better but not good enough.  No photos today either.  Bummer.

Llano River day 2

It’s been an interesting day!   In a good sense. Last night we met a couple from  Brandon VT who are spending the winter in Texas state parks.  They started in Nov.  Then today we met a couple from Houston who are planning on moving to VT in early April.  Nice couple too. They have looked at Richmond as a possible place of interest but her father is in Pownal.

We took a 4+ mile hike today.  Cal was getting tired by the time we got back, Carlene wanted more and I was just about right. Met a couple from Wisconsin while on the trail.  Had a good chat with them about VT and WS similarities and differences.  He grew up on a dairy farm.

After hiking we went in to Junction to look around and get supplies.  Must be Texas.  Cowboy hats for sale in the grocery store.

Again the signal is poor making email spotty.  I think this will post. But I doubt I can get photos to post.

So. Llano River SP Junction TX

It is just over 3 hours to get here from Austin.  Once clear of the city (which took an hour even with good traffic flow) it was very nice rolling hills.  This is the area they call the Texas Hill Country.  We will stay here for 3 nights.  Carlene went out on a couple hikes this afternoon.  My first hike was 2.5 miles with Callahan. We hiked along the South Llano River which we had one access point to the river so Callahan could get a drink and go wading. We saw a flock of Rio Grande Turkeys running away and out of sight in the tall grasses. Just before reaching our campsite, we noticed an armadillo with its nose to the ground searching for food. My second hike was 2.8 miles. This trail climbed to an overlook with views of the river valley. Fun trail. I stayed in camp for some relaxation.  I puttered around with some small maintenance tasks, took a shower, had a beer and read some more.  I’m starting my third Archer Mayor book since leaving home.  This is his 19th, I think he’s writing his 32nd now.  I have up to #28 with me. Plus a few Zane Gray and Louie Lamore, which I’ll get into later.
There is no WiFi here and the cell signal is slow so I’ll post this without photos for now and try to get some photos in a bit later.

Austin day 2

Went into Austin today, wanted to see the Bullock State History Museum.  It was a really rainy day with a 100% forecast for rain all day long.  Great museum day!  Well, my truck doesn't fit in parking garages, I doubt it would fit in this 7' garage without the red light.  So out on the street to park... someplace.  Circle, circle circle.  Found one a comfortable walking distance, except for the rain.  I was kind of wet when I got there.  Carlene wore full rain gear down to the rubber boots. 
Good museum, covered Texas history from the first Asian tourists 16,000+ years ago.  That is a recent reassessment date, see photos below.

After that we found Dirty Martin's Place, a burger joint founded in 1929 that resembles the old Al's French Fry.  A classic diner atmosphere.

Driving home was interesting, NOT.  Computer said 20 minute drive.  Took 1.5 hours.  Austin is nearly 1 million pop.  Too big.

This boat was part of a French exploratory voyage here in the early 1600s.  It sank and was just found and raised in the 1990s.  The salvaged hull is the next photo