Must, absolutely MUST go back to this park.
Did I say must? Because I mean MUST.
Thank you campermom for enabling - and putting the bug in my ear for this one. I've never taken 10 out that way, so it was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL drive. I love the hill country and all the scenery, and this was just amazing.
Rolling hills, steep cliffs, blue green rivers....
And that was just the drive.
Pulling into Junction, I saw a sign for "Scenic Overlook" and pulled in real quick for just a peek. Twisty road coming down the mountain into a lush valley. Old ironworks bridge over a beautiful bluegreen river winding to off in the distance. The winds first caressing from one direction, then another, blowing up the cliffs and down the mountain.. Each breath giving varied scents. Earth, grains, dust, limestone, river, cedar. Each speaking to the inner wanderer of what is just beyond the rise, beyond the next hill, or just at your feet. Warm sun gently caressing. Promising of summers to come of playing in that beautiful sparkling clean river.
Parkward Ho! Angela hasn't seen too many live armadillos, so the three that we saw close up rooting around at the park office were quite a treat.. and just looking around there was SO much more to come! I couldn't help but be drawn down those nature trails, but I didn't want to leave Angela or Jacob behind (she had a twisted ankle) so we made our way to the river.
Picked up some corn, some worms, some cheese, and picnic stuff and plopped our keisters on the riverbank a bit away from where folks were doing the fishing. We were mainly just being away from civilization. Found a picnic table, and made ourselves comfy.
I scattered a little corn and some corn juice in preparation of throwing a hook in the water, and immediately started seeing a fish or two. Not small fish either. About a foot long, and longer! Wow! Cool! Nothing was taking the bait, so I kept on watching.... and more fish started showing up... and more... and more...
Do not fear for the trout in the South Llano river. They never were interested in corn. Nope. And even if they were, the great numbers of carp that I attracted hoovered up every piece that was dropped. I was just about to give up, packing up the picnic stuff, the fishing poles, and other various and sundry stuff, when I hear a commotion... grunting, oinking, squealing, and see dust rising.
..and see about 12 little wild piglets trotting along straight for us. Yes, I know wild pigs are dangerous, don't worry. They stopped and looked at us. We stared and gawked, they stared some more, and then decided that the pecan grove was a better place to be and went bumbling off in that direction. Adorable little munchkins. I was curious, and was wondering what was down around that bend in the river and started wandering just off in a general direction.... and saw a flock of wild turkeys, white tail deer, mama piggy (blessedly she was on the other side of the river!!!) some kind of kingfisher, a grey woodpecker, and prickly pear growing 20 feet up in a tree.
I need to write this into a story. That place out there is magical. Later on, next to the bridge I found out why folks were gathered there as I caught 7 fish in a very short time frame. I just wanted peace and quiet. Away from people.
That really is a magical place. Beautiful country. I WILL be going back sometime soon.
