Golden Pond
— When we went rafting in the Rio Grande in Santa Elena Canyon (Big Bend NP), we spent a day exploring the sites along the river. After our lunch break, it was time to do a little hike in an … Read More
Tuff Canyon
— With the diversity of scenes in Big Bend NP, it is not surprising that areas such as Tuff Canyon are not widely seen in photos of the park. There are lookout points from the Ross Maxwell Scenic Road, and … Read More
Assisi Morning
— Back in 2012 we spent a few weeks in Italy. Although we enjoyed every city we visited, there was just something very special about Assisi. We cannot pinpoint what it was. There was the Basilica, Rocca Maggiori, and the … Read More
Fake Ruins (Ruínas Fingidas)
In 2018, we spent a month in Portugal traveling all over the country. One of our stops was the city of Évora. We stayed right in the middle of the historical city center and parked our rental car near the … Read More
Blue Plumbago
— Blue Plumbago is one of those flowers that keep blooming even when we have extreme temperatures and dry conditions. This native plant loves heat and can be quite drought tolerant. Contrary to popular belief, Blue Plumbago is not a … Read More
The Maker of Peace
— If you have ever been to Seminole Canyon SP and visited the Fate Bell Pictograph site, you will have walked right by the bronze statue of The Maker of Peace, by Texas artist Bill Worrell. The sculpture shows a … Read More
Texas Sage
— A perennial shrub common in Texas, the Texas Sage is known by many names, including Purple Sage, Silverleaf, Texas Ranger, and the most unusual name of Barometer Bush. That last name comes from the fact the bush often flowers … Read More
Pedernales Falls State Park
— At the end of the day, if you’re lucky and the weather is on your side, you get spectacular views at Pedernales Falls SP. This past February, I went to that park to meet a friend for a day … Read More
Pedernales River
–A tributary of the Colorado River in Central Texas, the Pedernales River is approximately 106 miles (171 km) long. The river goes through Pedernales Falls State Park, east of Johnson City. Like most rivers in the Hill Country area, the … Read More