The End of Our Time in Texas (for now)

spring flowers blooming everywhere!

Blue Bonnets Everywhere in Texas
Blue Bonnets Everywhere in Texas
DSC_7875
Blue Bonnets and other colorful flowers on the roadside
DSC_7870
And in front of Palmetto National Park

japanese botanical gardens-san antonio

The entrance, as you'll notice it says "Chinese". This was changed during WWII but was later, after the war, reverted back. Only this sign remains.
The entrance, as you’ll notice, says “Chinese”. This was changed during WWII but was later, after the war, reverted back. Only this sign remains.
Building at the entrance
Building at the entrance
The main building with wonderful stone work.
The main building with wonderful stone work.
View over the ponds from the main building.
View over the ponds from the main building.
Pond residents, along with Koi fish of course.
Pond residents, along with Koi fish of course.
Beautiful Stone Bridge.
Beautiful Stone Bridge.
Gorgeous lush waterfall.
Gorgeous lush waterfall.
Beautiful Stonework Throughout.
Beautiful Stonework Throughout.
Resident Squirrel posing for his picture!
Resident Squirrel posing for his picture!

DSC_7915 DSC_7918 DSC_7923 DSC_7924

Kiln from the quarry that was on this site.
Kiln from the quarry that was on this site.
History of the site and the kiln.
History of the site and the kiln.

our return to san antonio botanical gardens to see the new blooms

DSC_7929
Entrance to the gardens looking much more lush!
I didn't bother taking a picture of this Wisteria arbor before; it was bare!
I didn’t bother taking a picture of this Wisteria arbor before; it was bare!
Bird mansion!
Bird mansion!
Vegetable Garden, can't get chard this nice at the grocery!
Vegetable Garden, can’t get chard this nice at the grocery!
The blooming Rose garden.
The blooming Rose garden.

DSC_7936DSC_7939DSC_7943DSC_7946DSC_7954DSC_7955

palmetto state park near austin

DSC_7871

The scenic road into the park
The scenic road into the park.
View just inside the park of the valley below.
View just inside the park of the valley below.
Stone event center built by the CCC in the 1930's, beautiful!
Stone event center built by the CCC in the 1930’s, beautiful!

DSC_7805DSC_7803

One of the many beautiful trail walks.
One of the many beautiful trail walks.
VERY lush and green!
VERY lush and green!
DSC_7833
Very deep grass and nice flowers too!
This winters damage along the river. I discovered after I too this I was standing over a deep undercut!!
This winters damage along the river. I discovered after I took this photo that I was standing over a deep undercut!

DSC_7813 DSC_7808 DSC_7815

caverns of sonora texas (this time i was allowed to take my camera:-)

IMG_0755
Caverns of Sonora is a privately owned working ranch that just happens to have these amazing caverns under it. Family owned and operated for generations.
DSC_8151
SAM the greeter! A very large, slightly dirty (ranch dog) Pyrenees Mountain dog. What a lover!

DSC_8149

The store and offices for the caverns.
The store and offices for the caverns.
The resident male Peacock.
The resident male Peacock.
DSC_8170
And his Herem.

DSC_8184

DSC_8142
They had an automatic deer feeder. We saw deer late one night but during the day the birds and squirrels make use of the corn too.
They treat to local birds pretty well I'd say; a massive bird condo complex made of gourds and a self filling watering trough.
They treat the local birds pretty well I’d say; a massive bird condo complex and a self filling watering trough.

DSC_8138

Our pull-thru camp spot; pretty straight shot I'd say!
Our pull-thru camp spot; pretty straight shot I’d say! It wasn’t so spacious once the sites filled up later though. Still a nice spot.
Our guide Bill took us into the caverns. The tour required doing 360+ steps plus steep inclines so Jan decided to just enjoy the pictures I took.
Our guide Bill took us into the caverns. The tour required doing 360+ steps plus steep inclines so Jan decided to just enjoy the pictures I took.

a few pictures inside the caverns of sonora, breathtaking!

DSC_8019
Tossing money into the natural pools is forbidden, but they installed this cement bottomed one for that purpose. All the money collected is given to local charities.

DSC_8116 DSC_8099 DSC_8093 DSC_8080 DSC_8071 DSC_8068 DSC_8051 DSC_8025 DSC_8024 DSC_7985 DSC_8003 DSC_8027

GOODBYE FOR NOW TEXAS……