Texas Reflections Photography Journey

Friday, April 10, 2015

The Miles are Flying By......

Not counting towing , I've travel 850 or so miles chasing down Bluebonnets…. Some say I’m ready for the “Home”…

This is a Tuesday Post….woke up around 0530….and that was the second time….The first had to do with my emergency weather radio….around midnite it goes off and needless to say its loud..I jump up, finally figure out what is making the racket..and then it engages in information…its not a weather alert, but an amber alert…don’t even tell me its about a old Guy who is chasing wildflowers all over the Hill Country…and hasn’t been heard of in a week..Ha,Ha….

I start sawing logs again about 0100 hrs…and wake up to a crow or Raven perched close to the camper…made some coffee and went outside to see the sun rise…met the Guy next site over…in his early 60’s I’m figuring, …we sit and chat for a while…he works in the oil business, trouble shooter, travels all over the Country..loves the outdoors and camps in the bed of his truck(has a cap) or, weather permitting, has a hammock type sleeping bag..covered …unique, and very functional. Its getting close to 0800, I tell him I’ll catch him this evening, and its off to the races,,,

I first go East to Giddings, Carmine, a place I camped at 3 years ago, Then Burton and Brenham. Took the better part of two hours with photo stops….next in was NE to Washington…then south meandering in a triangle faction(125 or so miles). Did get some shots, a couple places the fields are filling up nicely…Today the wind was probably the worst its been for the entire trip…can’t get crisp close ups and the fields look a little bit funky in a photo…but its still a magnificent sight and I’m happy to be able to be out here.

Got back late afternoon, decided to grill a ribeye , with corn on the cob, salad, and some French bread…pretty tasty…. The neighbor came by and we chatted...He received a call from his Boss and is headed to North Carolina on Wednesday(8 Apr)…He has decided to get himself an Artic Fox camper(what do you think Barney?)..in fact I told him about the Nash camper which Artic Fox makes..great 4 season campers…so we said our good-byes, wished each other well and hoping to meet up again down the road…he is based in Austin.

Came in to download and write this post….Tomorrow I’ll probably take myself South and East…need to watch the forecast, seems some sort of storm activity is heading this way…which could impact your fishing on the Trinity River , Mr. JerryC….

Until next time..Happy Trails…Horst sends

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

East To Bastrop

(c)Horst Kelly Photographer..By Back Yard

Its been a great 5 Days…but I do want to see what the other side of I-35 looks like..some my goal was Bastrop, Tx..about 150 miles from Llano..Originally I was going to get a camp site at Somerville State Park which is on a lake and just north of Brenham…never could make a reservation on line and nobody answered the phone or called be back…Super customer Service..Maybe not so much!

(c)Horst Kelly photographer

So after looking for places to camp, and there aren’t many in that area..I decided that Bastrop would do. I found a site which I thought was Bastrop State Park, made my online reservations and was delighted about going to a location I hadn’t visited previously….

I left the Llano area about 1030 hours and decide not to take the shortest route which would south on Rt71…which goes through South Austin and then on to Bastrop…I was in no hurry and wanted to see some towns I hadn’t been to before…So off I went East on Rt. 29 to Burnet, Bertram, Georgetown and then south on on Rt 95 heading towards Taylor, Coupland, Elgin, and reaching Bastrop about 1pm…Took Rt 21 a few miles, saw Bastrop State Park sign and here I am….not so fast Buckaroo…….and another adventure begins…When I was checking in the folks kept looking and relooking at their computer and Finally asked me when and how I registered..I told them when and that I did it on line….I pulled up my confirmation email on my phone, showed them and they where grinning from ear to ear….after they got there lost good chuckle off there chest, I was informed that I made reservations at The nearby LCRA Campground..Mmmmm

I now learned something new…LCRA stands for Lower Colorado River Authority…They have 8 parks with RV hookups,19 tent parks with 4 of them having electric…that’s not sites but parks…coverings 8 towns.cities along the Colorado River in from around San Saba, Tx. to the Gulf…Their web site is www.lcra.org/parks oh, almost forgot, their also have cabins at some of there parks….Price for me was twenty bucks per day, plus the “old Guys” day rate use of $2.00….The site is wooded and the lake is directly behind me about 30 feet..ducks in the water means no “crocs” in the area.. :)

Bottom line…it ended up being better than the State Park and cheaper by a few bucks…clean, quiet and friendly….my Camping Guardian Angel pulls through again….I now have on my “Bucket List” to visit all the LCRA campgrounds in the next 12 months….

BTW Barney aka OFM…you sent all your “kayaking, fishing Buds to the wrong place…It has been peaceful.. :)

After I unhitched, I did a little scouting around, took a few pics…came back and grilled a salmon, corn on the cob, salad, and a glass of red wine… They say it helps lower the Cholesterol levels….mine being as high as it is, I’ve been drinking a couple 3 bottles nightly…haha..tomorrow I’m going to do some major chasing of wild flowers..this Blog is going to be a day or more behind….sorry!

Stay Happy and I’ll see you when….Horst sends

Monday, April 6, 2015

....Bluebonnets and little Else

Its Sunday evening..and I am getting ready for a travel day tomorrow to Bastrop St Pk...the southern campground....will stay until Friday...Today was overcast and misty.....I did manage to put over 150 miles on the Xterra looking for photo ops...being Easter Sunday in the Hill Country, it seems everyone else had the same idea.....The area has sure starting filling up with Wild flowers in the last 3 days.

Instead of a boring recap about which rural road I raced up and down today, I'll just post some photo's.....hope you enjoy...until next time......Horst sends

Saturday, April 4, 2015

This is Better Than Sipping Brandy....

One of the perks of being outdoors is waking up to a bird singing, maybe the sounds of a river flowing by, a train traveling across country..even a sound of a rooster waking up the hens...usually these items occur between 5 or 6 in the morning....I had all the windows
open with a nice breeze keeping the camper cool and comfortable....at about 1:30 in the wee hours of the morning I hear a Mockingbird singing full blown "opera style"..and it doesn't stop until I leave at 0800 for the Days Adventure. Wow....I haven't seen or heard him or her the rest of the day....I'm hoping I don't get "Act 2" tonight.

Not having any success getting some deep sleep, I got myself up around 0500..made some STRONG coffee, go outside and star gaze, while my mockingbird friend is still serenading me.... as the sun is peeking over the Hills, I get cleaned up, dressed, make another cup of Java and decide on todays adventure...its going to start with the Willow Road loop...a 13 mile country road onto private land that winds around and kinda ends close to Fredisburg. Your speed is about 5/10 miles per hour and you are not suppose to stop or pull over and/or get out of your vehicle to take photos...I learned a long time ago that it's far better to ask for forgiveness...then to ask for permission.

I am somewhat disappointed in that there are not the vast open fields of Bluebonnets as in past years...especially since this year is deemed a "Bumper Crop" year..maybe I'm a week or so early....after I finished the loop, I meander on numerous rural roads with little luck and end up in Johnson City...having high hope...nothing..Mmmm Its 1pm by this time so I head back to down load what I have, plus the wind has picked up again, which plays havek on closeups....I feel kinda like JerryC stated in his blog about he and the Guys only catching 50 crappie.

OK....time has somehow slipped by me...its now Saturday evening.....I guess I'm just plain lazy, or I get tired out to fast and just go and tuck myself in....anyway let me close for now and add some photo's....its suppose to rain tomorrow, so there shouldn't be any excuse for not posting some more words and photo's ......

In closing let me say that I am having a Terrific time...even with the overcast and very windy day....its great to be outdoors, fresh air, nature, solitude, and photography...combine that with Casita living and it's about as good as it gets.....

This is what happens when you try to take pictures while driving....Until next time...thanks for stopping by...Horst sends

Almost forgot...a Happy and Wonderful Easter to ALL.......

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Day One is in the Books...as a success

I woke up early...even for this "early morning person"....It was still dark and with the cloud cover stayed that way until way passed 0700...I was antsy, ready to start this trip..NOW....the Bride was not even up yet....I had planned on doing a short walk, but was too preoccupied to even do that....Weather forecast was for a chance of rain between 10-12 this morning...I decided to leave at 0930 and try to out run the wet stuff...

So there I was...0730, cleaned up, hitched up, had my coffee...the wife and I had our morning interaction...By 0915, it was Hugs and Kisses and I was pulling out of the drive way...about an hour later I finally got on I-10 heading north...no rain so far and traffic was light...put on a Guy Clark tune, you need to look him up, GREAT Texan songwriter...Down the road a piece I hit Comfort, Tx and took US-87 north to Fredericksburg...Boy was that town crowded...

....I didn't know one could buy so much stuff for Easter..Mmmmm. I took Texas 16 north and when my odometer read 140 miles I reached Llano...one turn onto RR152 and there I was at Riverway RV Park....sits on the Llano River..they are all pull through, very level, there is a conference room, library, and exercise room with 4/5 machines....folks are super friendly...but the number one "standout" is Cleanliness....I have never seen a RV Park/campground that spotless...from the Grounds, to the office, bathrooms, and other facilities...and with Passport America its 15 dollars...and that rate is not for 1 or 2 nights..its for the entire stay and includes weekends and holidays...go figure. There are a lot of oil folks with their 5th wheels..but all are friendly, quite and keep their area extremely clean...

OK, I checked in, unhooked, called the Bride and off I went to search for Bluebonnets, Eagles and other stuff..I made a loop and drove 110 miles..no Eagles so far....lots of Bluebonnets are starting to come out...not a large variety of other wild flowers...yet. Todays drive was more of getting a feel as to what and where stuff was and the best time of day to photograph it....

Got a shoot of one County Courthouse so far..Mason County CH...in Mason Texas...Here is a little History: Population around 2000....

History in a Pecan Shell

One of the first settlers in the area was Wm. S. Gamel in 1846. Fort Mason was established in 1851 and settlers were attracted by the protection that the fort provided from Indians. Germans moved into the area from Fredericksburg and even soldiers settled the town after their discharge. In 1858 the town received mail as well as the fort's supplies from San Antonio. The post office opened in town and the name was changed from Fort Mason to Mason that same year.

Fort Mason: The fort played no part in the Civil War other than being surrendered to Confederate forces in 1861. The Confederates didn't need it and the townsfolk appropriated much of the abandoned fort and equipment. It was reestablished in 1866 and then abandoned for good in 1868.

In the 1870's Mason County was the scene of a violent feud between German settlers and Anglo ranchers. Known as the "Hoo-Doo" War or the Mason County War - it was a nasty business of many killings with no one ever standing trial.

Mason became a stage stop after the war and it never did get a railroad - usually an very important milestone to a developing town. In 1923 Mason was the largest "city" in Texas without a railroad.

...there you have it...a quaint town with character....it still has most of the old structures....nice break to take a walk around....

From there I rode to Burnet, Marble Falls, Kingsland and back to Llano...had forgotten to take a steak out of the freezer, didn't want to eat out...so I made a tomato and cheese sandwich on Rye Bread..not bad...

Called my wife and now just sitting here looking for tomorrows adventure...until next time... Happy Trails....I am one Happy Camper at this moment.....Horst sends

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Let The Games Begin....

I am so ready.....and next week we will begin a 10 day or so adventure....First to the Hill Country...Bluebonnets should be in full bloom. I tried to get reservations at Inks Lake State Park...but its filled up...yes I know its Easter Weekend and every family will be out enjoying the area, weather and each other....I couldn't find any boondocking spots, so I resorted to a RV park...turns out it is a quaint park at Llano Texas...right by the river, with Passport America its 15 dollars...even during Easter...reviews where good, looks clean, family owned....so Wednesday around noon I will be heading out...staying in Llano until after Easter Sunday, then head East...looking at staying at Lake Sommerville State Pk...in the Brenham area...the weather is suppose to be great...thus far.

I am hoping to get some nice shots of the wildflowers and maybe some Eagle shots in Llano....plus anything else that comes my way...it is a great area for photography...numerous towns with a lot of history....maybe I'll see how many County Courthouses I can capture on film...ok, on a memory card..

I'm still testing and learning about the solar panels...seems to be doing a good job charging the battery...couple things I still need to learn, plus I still need to relocate the controller to the inside of Casita...I am happy to have gotten the panels as they provide a great source of electric without having to use my generator.....and using the Genny doesn't always make me the Local Campground Hero...Barney of OFM blog kept telling me that I need to get some solar and that it would solve most of my concerns...and he was right...it sure would have come in handy back in Dec 2012 when he and I where boondocking in Big Bend and I couldn't use my generator....I ended up having to move to another section of BB...that won't happen again. :)

I will close for now and leave you with a few shots of Bluebonnets I took the last couple days around the local area.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

A Need For Some Mental Cleansing...as in shake the Cranium cobwebs loose....

Another month is just about in the Books and I still haven't been out discovering some new place, hike or even BBQ Joint...but I haven't been sitting still..got the "Albino Armadillo" all washed and cleaned.....did a couple of simple modifications, Purchased a Renogy 100 Watt Mono suitcase Solar Panel from Craigs list...its at a price I couldn't refuse..though it ended up being a drive from Hell up North, due to weather, But in the end, it was still worth it. Its only 4 months old, in perfect condition, tested and works well....now for a modification...I want to remove the controller from the panels and place it in the Casita, then upgrade to 6 or 8 gauge cable(wire) from controller to Battery...no more than 3/4 feet...currently its a 10/12 gauge at 15 feet.... then a 25 ft 10 gauge from panels to controller....also trying to find a remote to the controller to place in a convenient place to monitor...Since electric stuff and I are not "best Friends", this modification should interesting.....

My New Toy

I now have a kinda,, maybe, sorta, trip planned....This is suppose to be a Banner Year for Bluebonnets and Wildflowers...I'm thinking of rolling North and setting up Camp at Inks Lake State Park, close to Buchanan Lake, between Burnet and Llano....leave the end the Month and stay until after Easter Sunday....from there go to either Brenham, Tx or Big Bend Nat'l. Pk.....we'll see what the Bluebonnets are doing by then at either place....about a two week trip...enough to do some Mental Cleansing...and get the blood flowing full speed again....Hopefully Mother Nature has settled down or at least taking a breather and the weather will be "Spring Perfect"...though some overcast will probably be best for the flower photography....I am Ready!!!

I want to thank all the folks that I asked questions on Solar stuff, Sharon of Tiny Camper, Jon Vermilye of Jon's Journey; and Jean from the Borderbrae Blog....thanks for all your help and advice!!!

A couple photo's from trip from days gone by....more of these can be found on my 2015 Trip Gallery..Happy Trails....until next time...Horst sends

(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

Friday, February 27, 2015

I'm Ready For Spring.....But Mother Nature Isn't

NEW PHOTO ALBUMS ON WEBSITE CLICK ON 2015 TRIP UPPER RIGHT(home page WS)

Not much has been going on since the beginning of the year...The old "hitchitch" keeps getting worse, yet there is still stuff to be done around here, visitors/family are still arriving...just had the Twins(from KC and Jefferson City, Mo) and their significant other visiting...Doctor appointments, and then of course there is the weather....I know it is not as bad as most places, but its all relative...it has gotten into the 20's when one considers wind-chill, ...I was exchanging emails with Jon Vermilye of the Blog "Jon's Journey's"(Oswego, New York) and he stated they where having heat wave...21 degrees...which was the warmest its been there in weeks....as he was shoveling snow off his roof...

Speaking of Jon....I was asking him about Solar Panels....I was doing some mindless activity the other evening and stated looking on Craigs List..... nothing in-particular .....stumbled upon a 100 watt solar suitcase unit, with controller...made by Renege...the unit is only 4 months old, but didn't meet the individuals need....asking price was very good....bottom line is I got it even cheaper and pick it up/test it next week...only down side, the person lives about two hours from here....oh well, its worth it....I've been debating for about 2 years about the utility of a 100 watt solar unit, I'll now find out if its worthwhile to have one....I do have a generator but hate using it just for laptop, phone, Bluetooth, furnace fan, etc...so maybe the solar will be a positive addition to my "Boondocking" experience.

My newest ache and pain is Plantar Fasciitis...causes pain in the heel....bottom-line is that I now have another set of stretches I do as soon as my feet hit the ground...plus instead of walking 2+ hours, I am walking about 80 minutes and at a slower stride....oh well, at least I can still walk/exercise, stop bitching Horst!

I have been trying to add some photo albums to my website...though I'm not through yet, I decided to post what I have done thus far..so if you are having a really boring day, take a photo journey...starts here: www.texasreflectionsphotography.com/-tetons-national-park

As I ponder this year's adventure(s), I keep hitting a brick wall..I have been following several blogs that are making my "adventure spirit" drool....what to do...a short trip in the next 30 is a must....before I end up in a "special white jacket" and a padded walled room. I think I may venture west and do the Guadalupe Mts. in West Texas(before it gets too warm)...and head back East to the Hill Country for bluebonnets and stuff....maybe a 2 week outing...just to get my Bride use to me being gone...:)
Maybe a second shot trip to the Lower Alabama/Florida Panhandle area.....

Then a 2+ month trip early/mid Fall Adventure along Rt.66...start south of Chicago and go to California...also was thinking of going East for the northeast autumn leaves...that just seems to have a short window in terms of "weather".....oh well...lets just take the first step and not worry about what happens this Fall......

So Thats it folks....not much happening.....plan on trying a couple Day Trips soon and going to pick up my new toy next week....hopefully this weather will break soonest and Spring will jump out at us...Until next time...Safe Travels and keep making those Memories!...Horst sends