Trip Report – Guadalupe River State Park Campout
October 11-14, 2018
We had a lovely gang at the State Park: BeverlyT, JanetF, LindaB, JudyS, JennyF, JanB. SusanW,
GloriaB, SandyS., MarieW, JoanC, SandyO, MariaV, NancyL, MarilynF, and KayS all gathered for
all or part of the weekend.
The weather was sticky but bearable, with intermittent showers to cool us off; the ground was
wet, and we noted tiny bluebonnets sprouting. This park did not experience a rain bomb last
week, but nevertheless the River was brown.
JennyF and JanB led us on a short hike from our camp to the River and back. The cypress trees
are so old and so tenacious, some standing in the swollen waters of the River, that their over-21
-feet diameters were astounding. The marks on their bark from generations of climbers and
jumpers tell a sweet story.
Other trails being closed, we felt fortunate to participate in the scheduled guided hike at the
lovely Honey Creek State Natural Area. Our guide, Mary Lasher (I think) interpreted several
habitats to us on the multi-acre Rust Ranch. She showed us gamagrass–an ancestor of corn,
plant communities interdependent with fallen oaks, and rock fences around long-overgrown
pastures.
Honey Creek itself was running fast, streaming beneath lily pads and around rocks. The water
was clear and sparkling. The canyon carved by this year-round stream is marked with huge
cypress and oaks. The creek, our guide said, springs from a cave, and is currently threatened by
development. Here is an article on that threat: https://therivardreport.com/honey-creek-apristine-
hill-country-stream-could-soon-see-treated-sewage/
Our campfires were lively (as usual) and we all benefitted from the hard work of Gloria and
Susan: One coordinated delicious beverages and the other cooked the potatoes for the pot
luck. Everyone enjoyed the variety of potato toppings and the crispy skin.
Not to be outdone by the Saturday night dinner, LindaB and JanB and JennyF pulled together a
leftovers breakfast of fresh eggs and bacon with (guess: Potatoes).
Personally, I feel kinship with this park due to the miracle of a girl cat rescued by the hand of
our Judy and myself, the cooperation of a friendly and understanding superintendent (who did
us a special favor by opening Honey Creek Preserve to us), and re-learning to ride a bike.
Muchas gracias to KayS, JanetF, and NancyL for coaching and encouragement.
See you all at Goliad, and sooner.
M.