TOWNIES!  What an amazingly active and fun outing at Palmetto State Park that 22 of us shared last week!  Those camping were:  DianeN, TammyM, JudyS, SuzanneH, KathleenC, JacqueA, LindaBW, FloM, TracyP, EolaL, SusanW (with friend StephanieM), KimF, GloriaB, JuneA, SandyO, and JudyD.  Most of us camped in the loop with electricity, sites 4 – 19.  And those coming for the day were:  SandyB,  StephanieN, and KobyF (with mother-in-law CindyF) and Carrie L. What a variety of personalities and camping gear – tents, vans, rvs!  Weather was outstanding, cooler nights and mornings with warmer afternoons.

Arrival days varied.  Thursday, several of us did some birding around the camp sites, near the Refectory, and a cross the low water crossing to the group camping.  In the group camping area, we spotted a female Pied-Billed Woodpecker.  Her markings stood out perfectly for a female and she stayed with us long enough for thorough, long looks.  Then we walked around the Oxbow Lake and returned via portions of the Ottine Swamp Trail and Canebrake Spur.  Thursday evening, we met at Gloria’s site to sit in our camp chairs, visit, and eat snacks.  And took a short walk before heading to bed.

Friday was our trip to Shiner Day.  We left our campground at 9:30 am and met Sandy Smith at Beran’s Agri Center and Western Wear located at 2515 Us-90 Alt W in Shiner.  Yes, we shopped ‘til we dropped buying western hats and granddaughter gift items.  From there we drove to meet Tilley where SandyS boards her.  We stroked probably eight horses and a colt, and then met Tilly, the lovely, soft, friendly horse SandyS rides.  Tilly, who is indeed a pretty girl, allowed us to touch her nose, lips, and stroke her bunches.  Afterward, some women headed to the remodeled Spoetzl Brewery and three of us went geocaching.  We all went our own way.  The report from the remodeled brewery was good.  And the geocachers located three caches.  Afterward, we all headed to downtown Shiner for looking and shopping.  Several women visited the Amish Furniture store, another the Quilt Factory, several of us the B’Marie Boutique & Coffee Bar, and still others hit the creamery before lunch.  But it does sell Amy’s!  We did our best to boost the Shiner economy!  At 3 pm, the Shiner Palace Saloon opened, and we were the first guests.  Depend on TOWNIES to eat!  The menu was appealing, and we took advantage of it.  Our hostess was experienced, and our group photo was taken and added to Palace Saloon Facebook page as Texas Outdoors Women Network from Austin.  The owner was quite nice and welcoming.  After our late lunch/early dinner we headed back to camp.  This evening, we moved our chairs near June’s van and visited.  Each evening we took a brief hike on some of the shorter trails near our campground.  Our constant companions were the inchworms falling into our hair, on our clothes, and our faces.  We also would hear cattle bawling and coyotes howling.  One evening after going to bed, we heard shotguns firing and guessed folks were hunting feral hogs outside the park boundary.

Saturday was Flo’s HIKE HIKE HIKE morning, “me myself and I will lead a hike Saturday morning, soooo get these boots were made for hiking on, grab you some water and let’s meet at Site #6 and hit the trail at/or about 9ish!!! 😎 Hope you can all join us!”  At 9, we welcomed the arrival of StephanieN, KobyF and CindyF.  We headed past the Refectory, a across the low water bridge, through camping ground, around Oxbow Lake, and then to our camp.  Chairs moved to the shade and dinner plans began.  This was our everyone is helping cook dinner.   The following is LindaBW’s spreadsheet of ingredients and who is bringing what:
Linda…chicken, tortillas and 1 can enchilada sauce
Gloria…hatch chilis
Flo….spinach
Tracy…grated cheddar cheese
Judy D ….cream cheese
June…..brownies
Jacque…ice cream and cherry cobbler ingredients
Bring stretchy pants!!

Susan had planned to cook a Dutch Oven Tart Cherry Cobbler, but we arrived Wednesday to a burn ban.  Later that night we were allowed to use charcoal for cooking, but no wood in the grates.  Salad and dinner were excellent – both spicy and mild choices.  And the tart cherry sauce was great with ice cream and warm brownies.  Yes, we ate everything!   Unfortunately, we had several falls tonight, but no one was hurt luckily.  KobyF, CindyF, and StephanieN stayed for dinner.

Sunday was lunch at DQ day.  First, LindaBW and Gloria cooked breakfast – eggs and bacon – a good camping breakfast.  Then it was lunch time.  Two of us drove to Luling early and found several caches.  Then we met the rest of the hungry women at DQ.  Yes, we ate again!  But there was the excitement of the driver of a bucket truck who managed to get stuck under the DQ drive-thru roof.  If you have seen the photos, you understand.  It certainly attracted lots of attention amid the customers and drivers lined up in the drive-thru lane.

And Monday it was time to head home.  We began packing, visited the dump station, and said our goodbyes.  A super camping trip and wonderful time was enjoyed by all.  LindaBW & Jacque