A Perfect Day for a Road Trip - Monday, March 23, 2015

Forecast: Mostly sunny, 82 degrees. Looks like a perfect day for a road trip. I might see some wildflowers too.

At noon I headed to Junction, Texas, about one hour and 45 minutes from San Antonio. I felt like doing another Volksmarch. Bob was working, so off I went. When I finished my walk, I wanted to spend time bird watching at South Llano River State Park. This was going to be a full day!

Along I-10 the Indian paintbrush, wild mustard, and pink evening primroses were starting to bloom. I was most impressed by how hearty the Indian paintbrush flowers looked. It could have something to do with all the rain we received this winter. 

Once in Junction, I started my 10k walk at 2:30 pm (heat of the day, silly me!). There was very little shade on this walk so I was glad I had two bottles of water. I also ate two ounces of string cheese at the beginning of the walk for a bit of protein/energy.

The walk routed me on back roads and city streets of Junction. Yellow and white butterflies flitted around my ankles as I walked. I walked the loops in two parks: Junction City Park and Kimble County River Park. Here's what the walk looked like...

Junction is at the confluence of two rivers

Country lane - still looks like winter!

A Texas ranch house

Pencil cactus

Deer at an abandoned home's carport - nice shade!

Junction City Park - RVs boondock here!

Lake Junction behind the dam -South Llano River

House that was near first sawmill

1937 bridge

Pedestrian walkway across the bridge...
Yes, I crossed it both ways.

Lake Junction

Black vultures

Kimble County River Park - across from Junction City Park

The day was getting hotter. Every once in a while, a slight breeze came through and those were mighty welcome! From the parks, the route headed into the old downtown past the county courthouse. Lots of historic markers graced the lawn around the courthouse. Most historic markers were about people integral to the town's early days.

Old-fashioned swings in Kimble County River Park

Local landscape

Water tower and black vultures

Purple martin houses - birds aren't home yet

Junction municipal offices

History of Kimble County- farmers ranched
to produce wool and mohair

Kimble County Courthouse

Kimble County Courthouse

Art deco work over entry door at courthouse

An old home

Country roads

This tree matters

Texas yard art

NOT bluebonnets.  These are grape hyacinths.

Yard art or a sweet ride? You decide.

A very old church building

Junction is part of the Old Spanish Trail.

The Volksmarch is almost done and so am I. The temperature at the local bank registers 87 degrees F. Pretty warm considering there is almost no shade on this walk. Only seven blocks left to go.

When I returned to the car it was dinner time. I made a beeline for Dairy Queen where I had three tacos and a small Blizzard. That tasted sooooo good!

From Dairy Queen I had the choice of heading for home or going to South Llano River State Park to go bird watching. I figured since I was already so far from San Antonio, I might as well make the most of it. The state park won.

This blog is plenty long already. To be continued in my next blog...