Sounds like the the sequel to the Gunfight at OK Corral, huh? For Christmas I got a book on hikes around Austin and this was the first hike we chose.

Rimrock  Loop is part of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Austin. Technically, it’s a little over 26 miles west of Cedar Park. It’s definitely off the beaten path. When we arrived, there were two other cars in the small parking lot and on the trail we only ran into one other couple. Although we took this hike in late February/early March, it just didn’t seem to be a well known hiking spot. Fortunately for us, it was a great find. It’s a light to moderate hike, only three miles or so. There was a little bit of elevation change as the hike took you up a ridge (maybe 200-300 feet), which will bring any flat-lander to some heavy breathing and pain in the legs (especially if you’ve got a 30 pound kid on your back).

Supposedly, this area is home to the golden cheek warbler, which is one of the reasons this entire area is protected. Either they weren’t around or I didn’t know what I was looking for. Regardless, it was a great hike for this little family of three. Titus did okay, as long as we kept him occupied with munching on peanuts and raisins or gave him a stick to hold (as long as he didn’t hit his dad in the head with it).

I can’t really judge as I haven’t been on too many hikes in the Austin area, but from what I can assume, this is a great little hike. I highly recommend getting out to hit the Rimrock. You’ll have some nice views and the hike feels substantial for what low-landers are used too.

[View with PicLens]

I really like to hike. I like it a lot. Being that I grew up in the flat swampy region of South Georgia, I didn’t really get a lot of opportunities to really hike. When I was 18, I trained for and climbed to the top of Pikes Peak and I was hooked. Unfortunately, I still live in the flat lands. The good thing though about where I live in Texas is that there are some hills to explore, some beautiful outlooks and great water features. It’s better than nothing, right?

So, I got this book and I’m excited to knock some of these hikes off the list (becasue that’s the way I am). Already, Sara and I (and Titus too) have done two hikes and we’re looking forward to getting more under our belt. Now that it’s summer, we’ll either have to do early morning hikes or pick back up on the hiking in the Fall when the weather is more agreeable. That’s okay though, we still have a couple dozen swimming holes to hit, BBQ joints to taste and burgers to try (did I not tell you about my burger list)?

Maybe one day I’ll live next to a mountain. Until then, these Texas trails will have to do.

It did remind me of this diagram from graphjam.com though.

At the end of our conversation she said that at some point we should invest in a king sized bed. I agree, but when it’s all said and done… this is what a king size bed will get me.

We’re probably talking another 3 or 4 inches… but that’s progress, right?

Titus: Cherrios?
Sara: We don’t have any cheerios, but we do have other cereal.
Titus: Bye cereal.
Sara: How about an apple?
Titus: Bye apple.
Sara: Yogurt?
Titus: Bye yogurt.
Sara: What about toast?
Titus: Toast, bye bye.
Sara: Well, what do you want?
Titus: Cookies (with a hopeful look in his eye).

Yeah, I think he’s finally learning to communicate well.

Sara and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary by spending five days and four nights at the Valentin Imperial Maya at Playa Del Carmen. We’re beyond excited!

I first heard about Hamilton Pool last year. With moving into our house and 5 longs months of unpacking, we never got out to any Texas swimming holes. But today was the perfect day. We had nothing planned and it was HOT! Perfect! Hamilton Pool is only 45-60 minutes from the house. After an $8.00 entry fee and a 1/4 mile hike down to the actual pool, you’re at one of the coolest places I’ve seen in Texas.

Supposedly the pool and grotto was formed over a thousand years ago when the dome of an underground river collapsed. The result is a beautifully secluded pool with a 45 foot waterfall feeding the pool. On our visit today, the waterfall was more of a trickle. The preserve only has parking for 75 cars (we had to wait 15 minutes for a parking spot today). It’s a good thing the lot doesn’t park more as the pool was busy with people. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was plenty full.

This was Titus’ real first time swimming this summer. He did really well. We were in the water for about an hour. The water was cold, so he clung tight to me for the first ten minutes or so. Later he got in his inter tube (reluctantly at first) and we floated out to the middle of the pool. Last of all we tried on his new life jacket. He wasn’t as wild about the life jacket or being in the water without something to hang on.

We had a lot of fun splashing each other, spinning around, throwing him up in the air and dunking him (just kidding, there was no dunking today). Overall, it was a beautiful day in a perfect location and everyone had a blast. Sara and I kept remarking how it really felt like we were in some far-off and tropical get-away while only being 45 minutes from home. Yeah, we love where we live.