From Dallas to Wimberley

: When I visit Wimberley, particularly during the summertime, I often find myself wishing that John Hill would have kept running from the law until he found more temperate climates. But then the Hill Country sun settles, a gentle breeze cools off everything that was scorched just a few hours prior, and I find myself remembering why this is the place that reminds me of the one I love deep in the heart of Texas.

: The toughest stretch of highway was from exits 321 to 295. That is the distance from the first advertisement of Robertson’s Hams to the restaurant’s front door; it’s become one of my favorite stops along the way. In addition to the sandwich I always pick up, I also got some summer sausage and pepper-jack cheese for snacks that night.

And, yes, perhaps I did subconsciously pick up the hiking staple knowing that the next trip will not occur for a long time. Which brings me to:

: IMAX’s Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk was definitely worth the few months wait to see it. It was odd seeing Havasu Falls in 3-D and remembering the hike through the red rock canyon it took to get there. But as I sat in the theatre, I was, for perhaps the first time in a year, able to reflect on what an accomplishment that trip really was.

There are few things I’ll never forget that the movie didn’t show: the complete disappointment of walking 8 miles thinking of nothing other than the faucet we saw on the way down and the cool, fresh water it would surely provide only to find it didn’t work; the sheer exhaustion of walking up each thirty yard switchback and having to rest for a few minutes until enough strength was reserved to conquer the next switchback – and doing that for a mile and a half.

On the other hand, I’ll also never forget the coolness and clarity of the turquoise waters.

Geez, that was such a fun trip. Trip report begins here.

: For the past several years, I have wanted to start a Ronald Donald telescope fund.

There aren’t too many activities I enjoy more than laying out on a clear night and identifying the various stars and constellations. However, I don’t think Jackson and Ethan were as impressed as I thought they should have been.

Anyway, I’ve finally decided, after three years, that a telescope should be a purchase for several more years down the road.

One of the many highlights of the weekend was pulling out the borrowed telescope and getting a close up of Polaris, Vega, and Antares. Though the juice was worth the squeeze, it did take several minutes to get each star within the viewer and in focus. Many times, I reverted to the binoculars to make sure I was close.

Sunday night when we got home, I came across an old copy of Sky & Telescope magazine from 2006; its main article focused itself on the best way for amateur astrologers (and some professionals) to pursue this hobby: binoculars. Those I already have.

I figured it was a sign that I should be content. For now.

: And the real reason for the visit: family. While it's always good to see my immediate family, I appreciate every minute I get to spend with my grandmother, nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

The Hill Country, as much as I love it, is incomplete without family.