Colorado Bend and Inks Lake State Parks

I've been increasingly feeling that when the my master's program ends this spring so will my time in Texas. This has motivated me to see as much of the state as possible in my remaining time here.

One way to experience Texas is by visiting its numerous state parks. Last Friday, I checked two more off my list: Colorado Bend State Park near Bend and Inks Lake State Park just east of Burnet.

Colorado Bend, about two hours northwest of Austin, protects forested cliffs carved by the Colorado River through classic Texas Hill Country. Hiking the Spicewood Canyon and Spicewood Springs trails I saw at least five deer, an armadillo, and a wild pig. Recent rainfalls had swollen the springs and at points the hike required wading ankle deep through water flowing to meet the Colorado. 

After a eating my packed lunch, I drove back to the park entrance and hiked out and back to Gorman Falls, an expansive cascade of mineral-rich water. The falls is so big it's hard to capture in a single shot, especially since you can only back up to the edge of the river.

Starting back towards Austin, I stopped for a quick wander through historic downtown Llano before continuing on to Inks Lake State Park, a popular camping, boating, and swimming destination. With hundreds of campsites, tens of cottages, playgrounds, boat ramps, and a restaurant, the park is geared more towards recreation than exploration.

In spite of the howling children, the rocky lakeshore and clouded sky pierced by wide rays made Inks Lake a worthwhile spot to take a short hike and watch the sun set.

The Gulf and Back

Last weekend was my last opportunity to get away for awhile, so I took it. As spin-off from Tropical Storm Manuel drenched Central and West Texas, I drove south through the deluge and spent last Friday night in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi--or just Corpus--is a city by the sea. Its downtown streets were empty when I arrived late in the afternoon. I munched on an order of fries from Whataburger as I wandered along the seawall protecting Corpus from the Gulf.

The beaches of Corpus are not especially pretty but they offer nice views of the skyline and twinkling oil rigs in the distant waters. Sunset lit the hazy sky in deep blues, then purples, then grays as I dined on fresh raw oysters.

I walked the seawall again the next morning this time in the opposite direction towards the city's art museum and a decommissioned aircraft carrier. Then I drove about thirty minutes to Padre Island National Seashore. My national parks pass got me in for free.

On Padre Island, I walked and briefly drove along the beach. Thick clouds shrouded the sun but the ocean waves still crashed, same as ever. Much like standing in the presence of mountains, standing on the shore of a giant body of water reminds me of the vastness of everything.

After collecting a handful of sea beads (seeds from Southeast Asia that get caught in ocean currents and wash up on Texas beaches ten to fifteen years later) and meeting a bright white and yellow crab, I began my backroads return to Austin.

I spent an hour in touristy Port Aransas before taking the shortest (literally four minute) ferry ride of my life. Once back on mainland Texas, I cut up through the southeastern part of the state to Goliad and the state park there. It was here where captured Texian soldiers were massacred by the Mexican Army during the War for Texas Independence. That event, along with the Battle of the Alamo, stirred the Texas Army to final victory at San Jacinto.

My final stop before getting back to Austin was Palmetto State Park, a lush preserve on the banks of the San Marcos River. I didn't stay long, but enjoyed watching the glowing orange sun set behind the park's lush foliage.