This past weekend Tim & I were faced with a beyond gorgeous day, so we instantly packed up the little scallywag and the two dogs and left the house for an impromptu adventure. Destination: Enchanted Rock.
Because we left a little late (12:30 PM. To go hiking, we’d typically leave a lot earlier in the morning–especially to go to Enchanted Rock, because it often closes due to capacity issues), we created a plan B.
Our fall back plan: Fredricksburg. A small, charming German town just 30 minutes on the road to the rock. I’ll save writing about this treasure for later.
We arrive at the rock and start our trek up the summit trail and spy one of these:
Still on the trek up the summit trail. Amazing big sky:
Tim, at the summit, teaching the girl about trail essentials:
1) Sunblock 2) High-quality H2O:
The girl’s first summit picture (1,825 ft.):
The descent and our brand-spankin’ new child carrier:
We just couldn’t get enough and decided to hike the circumference of the rock via the Echo Canyon, Turkey Pass and Loop Trails:
The Enchanted Rock gets its name from the local Tonkawa, Apache & Comanche tribes of yesteryear who ascribed magical & spiritual powers to the rock. There are a number of legends associated with the rock, including my fave: Anyone spending the night on the rock becomes invisible.
The summit trail is an easy-peasy 0.6 miler. That’s zero-point-six. Do it. There’s a little cave up on top that is really cool and that probably has something to do with the legend that the Tonkawa & Comanche tribes committed sacrifices at the rock.
If you decide to go to the rock, here is a short list of “DON’Ts” that I just have to mention because, yes, I witnessed them on the rock:
1) don’t wear a mini skirt and/or heels
2) don’t litter
3) don’t wear your Baby Bjorn like you wear your jeans: all loose and hangy
*****
The next day, Juniper was in the mudroom while I was fixing her breakfast and when I peeked around the corner, I noticed her trying to get herself into the child carrier. She’s a nature girl, for sure!
(P.S. If you’re in the market for a child carrier, I would highly recommend the Deuter Kid Comfort II
and possibly the Kelty FC 3.0
, but not the Deuter Kid Comfort III. Your best bet is to take your kid into the store with you so that she can help you choose, because IT DOES MATTER to her. For instance, I had originally gone to the store intent on buying the Kelty. But as I tried to get the girl into the contraption there was nothing but screams & tears. When the dude showed us & recommended the Deuter… complete 180. Seriously. The girl was delighted to honor us with her cooperation. I bought the Deuter KCII–not the KCIII because when I had that thing on, there was nothing but screams & tears for ME!)
