Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024

Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024
Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Ahhh...Relaxation, Sat., July 20

Remember all those things we were going to do today? We did all of them except go to see the Mexican free-tailed bats. Tomorrow night is when we anticipate seeing the bats.

After going to the Visitor Center, walking to Upper and Lower McKinney Falls, and going grocery shopping, we were in mellow vacation mode.

McKinney Falls State Park
Upper Falls Swimming Hole
Upper McKinney Falls swimming hole--dry falls.
Upper McKinney Falls swimmin' hole cypress trees.
Visitor Center at the park.

At the Visitor Center, we saw man-made chimney swift towers. Chimney swifts historical natural nests used to be hollow old-growth trees. However, since most old-growth trees were logged years ago, the swifts adapted to man-made structures. The towers are for birds to roost and nest in.

Chimney swift tower.
Short walk to Lower McKinney Falls. Can anyone identify the flowers? The photos aren't very good.  The first flower is white with yellow center. The second is like a jack-in-the-pulpit. There's a pod with a very small purple "head" poking out.





Swimmin' hole at Lower McKinney Falls.
We can't wait to go swimming!

Interesting potholes in the rock.
For dinner, I fixed herbed chicken breasts and caramelized red peppers served with coleslaw.

Bob finished reading "The Madoff Chronicles," by Brian Ross which he enjoyed. (Thank you Mona Liza of The Lowe's Travel Adventures!) I've been catching up on blogs because I'm way behind reading them.

After Bob finished the book, we started a campfire so we could make s'mores. It has been a very long time since we've had a campfire. The s'mores were yummy. When we finished those, I also had a turkey hot dog because I really wanted a campfire-cooked hot dog. So tasty.

The campfire and our new roasting sticks.
On the right, a s'more waiting to be eaten.
Just a gooey, melted marshmallow.
We sat outside by the fire and talked for a bit before heading inside for the night. The moon is so bright we can see our shadows! And we never did receive more rain this evening. The storms must have parted and gone around the campground.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Safe travels from Travel Bug and Bob. Over and out.


5 comments:

  1. We're so glad you are able to get out and enjoy McKinney Falls. It's one of our favorite places to go!

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  2. That sure looks like a fun swimming hole. I'm a big wimp and like warm pools where I know where the bottom is - but when I was younger I would have loved this LOL!!

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  3. You two really do lots of interesting things around Texas. So nice to read about that area from an insider's perspective.

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  4. That looks like a wonderful place to camp. I haven't been anywhere in a very long time that has an old fashion swimming hole. The new mega-waterparks are fun but always crowded...not conducive to relaxing.

    I am green with envy!!!!

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  5. I haven't been to McKinney Falls so I really glad to read your write up on it. Looks like a great place. Inks Lake was full on Friday and Saturday night so we came back to LaPointe RV Resort on Canyon Lake, another favorite place of mine.

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