Spring break 2012 (Austin TX)

Austin TX

This was our last stop before heading home for spring break. We made a stop to Barton Springs and then the Green Belt. We LOVE AUSTIN and especially the Green Belt....

Barton Springs is a natural springs fed pool in the middle of Austin TX.. The water is always cold at 68-72 degrees.. Jude braved the water and jumped in...

Spring break 2012 (Blanco State Park)

                                                                                Blanco State Park




Blanco state park is a small park in a small town of Blanco, TX.  The park is very very clean and the cleanest of all the state parks we have been to so far. There were no hiking at this park. The only thing to do besides camping is to swim in the river. Part of the river was made into a small pool for the kiddos to swim in and is shallow making it safe for kids. The town of Blanco is close to the park. Just leave the park and you'll be in the middle of the town.. As far as I'm able to tell, the town was super small. Not too much of a selection on eatery. We had lunch at a pizza joint with a nice open view of outside. We would probably not come to this park again. It was very nice and clean but there was just not much to do.

Spring break March, 2012 (Guadalupe state park)

                                                                  Guadalupe state park
2nd stop for spring break was the Guadalupe state park. At this camp out was just Jude and I..  This camp out provided a little more privacy which is always a bonus. Like all state parks there is shower and toiletry in the developed camped area. There are several hiking trails but they were really not so great. Jude was very bored during our hike and kept asking when they would end. I definitely don't really recommend the hiking. It would have been nicer to bike the trails instead. The river area where we hung out is a little of a drive from the camping area about 1 mile or so (not too far).  The river was nice with lots of shallow areas making it very safe for young kids.  The water was clear but cold but of-course it was just the beginning of March so it just not warm enough for a swim just yet.  This is not one of our favorite spots just because there was just not very much to do but we are still glad we went and had the opportunity to check the place out.

always fun to play checkers with the little man in our tent...

The camp was private and separated from other campers.

Spring break March, 2012 (Garner state park)

Garner state park 

Garner state park is our first stop. This park is located 5 hours away from Houston just past San Antonio.. There is plenty to do at this park. This include swimming when it's warmer (it was in the 40's and 50's on the days we went), canoeing, paddle boats, hiking trails, dancing to country music in the evening (a family event), and miniature gulf. The people here are very very friendly and instantly made us feel welcomed. There is a small store which supplied all the essentials for camping and food too. There is even a restaurant that served typical american food (hotdogs, hamburger, chicken tenders). Like all state parks there are showers and toilet facilities provided.  This is a HUGE park and can get up to 9,000 visitors during the summer. We happen to go when it was cold so it was not as full as it normally is during spring break.  For those who prefer not to camp in tents there are screen shelters to rent. I should also mention that there is no cell phone reception for all carriers with the exception of AT&T       ( This is the first)..  So the whole weekend, I went without a phone and survived..:).. It was a definite great get away for my son and I. Valerie and her daughter Olivia joined us on this trip as well. It was great to have the company......

Olivia, Valerie and the Judester....

Jude first dance with a girl.. too cute!!!

this is a hike up a trail on a hill.

our view from the top of our hike

crystal cave, top of one of our hikes. after going to the bottom of the cave there are crystals in the cave...