MAY 8, 2013  ENCHANTED ROCK STATE PARK

We got on the road fairly early to do a little hiking in Enchanted Rock State Park which is about 15 miles from Fredericksburg.  The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area covers approximately 640 acres and rises 425 feet above the surrounding terrain of 1825 feet above sea level. It is the largest pink granite monadnock in the United States.

We had planned to hike to the top and then walk the 4 mile trail around the rock.  Well, you know what happens when man plans.  The hike to the top was quite challenging.  It was that high, 425 feet but it was steep.  Very steep in some places and that took its toll on us.  However we did perceiver and we did make it to the top.  We got a very good 360 degree view but the cloud cover prevented us from get a spectacular view.   We stayed at the top for quite awhile looking around but the wind finally drove us off the rock, it was severe.   I took a bunch of pictures and then we headed down.

Enchanted Rock

The Way Up



View from the Top

 

Cactus in Bloom

 

 

We had packed a lunch so we had a little picnic as the base.  At the same time we talked ourselves out of doing the walk around the base.  After we finished our lunch we headed back to Fredericksburg to do some grocery shopping as well as get ready for our drive the next day.

 

May 9 & 10, 2013

The next two days consisting of mainly driving as our next destination is Alpine, Texas which we will use as our base to explore the area which includes Big Bend National park. We got away around 10 AM and made for Fort Stockton, our stopping point for the night.  The next day we headed for Alpine and arrived in the early afternoon and get set up.  Our plan is to stay here for about a week and enjoy the many things there are to take in.  Stay tuned.