Family Time in Kerrville

Tuesday, Nov. 3rd

Today we headed back to Fredericksburg with Bob & Deb and Andy & Linda. We enjoyed another beautiful sunny day in this historic town soaking up the German charm and another great lunch at The Auslander. This time we also visited the outdoor displays at the National Museum of the Pacific War including placards talking about Admiral Nimitz, who was born in Fredericksburg. A remarkable naval officer. In 1941 Pres. Roosevelt asked Nimitz to be commander in chief of the U.S. Fleet. Nimitz turned it down as it would have catapulted him over 50 other senior officers and potentially made it hard for him to command. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Nimitz took command of the Pacific Fleet and met with his staff. Morale was low. They all expected to be blamed for the disaster and then relieved of command. Nimitz stunned them by saying he had complete faith in them and that he didn’t blame them for what had happened. One of the officers there said it was like opening a window in a stuffy room. After the Japanese surrendered, Nimitz sent out a message to his staff saying that they were all expected to treat the Japanese with respect. A man with high morale compass.  

We also visited the Plaza of the Presidents (10 presidents served during WWII). We learned some interesting facts about these remarkable men. For example, JFK joined the navy in 1941. He requested a combat assignment and was assigned to the Pacific war zone. During a battle a Japanese destroyer sliced his boat in half and plunged him and his crew into the sea. His bravery in leading his entire crew to safety earned him a Purple Heart. Bush Senior’s military career was equally remarkable. On his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a naval aviator. After training he became one of the youngest aviators in the Navy. He served in the Pacific and was shot down by enemy fire. Both Bush’s fellow crew members were captured and executed. He successfully bailed out and was rescued. Amazing to live through all that at such a young age. 

After visiting all the outside monuments we decided to let the museum go. Another time. Then we headed back to Kerrville and had a delicious dinner in Bob & Deb’s cabin. Thank you for cooking, Deb! Afterwards we played cards, and, surprise of surprises, I won! A nice way to spend election night… away from the TV!

Wednesday, Nov. 4th

Linda & Andy and Deb & Bob were going golfing today. Gary & I don’t golf. Sooo…. we’d been wanting to visit the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Today was the day. I was able to go online and get a day pass. We traveled back to Fredericksburg again to see this amazing rock formation. Enchanted Rock was formed 50 million years ago and only a small portion is exposed above the earth. Beneath the ground is an area that covers 100 square miles or almost 4x the size of Manhattan. Remarkable! It looks like a big pink granite dome with rock formations and interconnecting hills. Very cool! No one quite knows where the name Enchanted Rock first originated. But one theory is that it got its name from the magical glittering shine seen at night. The “glittering shine” is because of the wet rock and vernal pools. Another theory says that at night you can hear the mutterings of ghosts. In any event, we zigzagged our way to the summit and back down, which was about 2 miles total and about 500 ft up or 35 flights of stairs. Linda had suggested the zig zagging approach to the top, which worked like a charm. Otherwise it’s fairly steep in places. A fabulous experience! It was quite windy at the top. Gary has a tendency to always be out in front when we’re walking/hiking. I’m slow… I’m taking pictures or I’m using my “Picture This” app to check on the name of a plant that is growing, etc. or stopping to chat with someone (safely distanced, of course). 

A funny thing happened as we were nearing the summit. A gentleman stops and asks me is this the way down. I said yes. He said he’d circled the top twice trying to find the way back down again. He’d lost his bearings. I said “once you get down a little further, you’ll see the road on your right. That can be your guide.” He said “oh, thank you.” What’s completely comical about this is that I have the absolute WORST sense of direction so the fact that I’m giving him directions is somewhat alarming even to me! Let’s hope he made his way back down again and isn’t still wandering around aimlessly up there. That was also a lesson for Gary & I to pay attention when we were at the summit. It was easy to get disoriented when you’re staring out at rock and greenery and distant hills in all directions. It was so windy on top that we found a little nook out of the wind to have lunch, then we started the descent. 

A very enjoyable climb! Gary took a video. It’s below and, of course, there’s music. 

After the Enchanted Rock climb, we drove back to Kerrville stopping along the way to pick up steaks for everyone for the evening. That was interesting! First we accidentally ended up at a meat market that cuts up deer. Nope, don’t want that. Then we stumbled upon the correct one. A great family operated butcher shop. The walls were covered with deer heads. Not my favorite sight, but we are in Texas after all.

We had plans that evening to visit the 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera, TX. Bandera is known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” I know, I know going to a bar during covid isn’t smart. BUT, this was an outdoor venue, and we were with a table with family who we knew hadn’t been seeing much of anyone. 

Cool spot! On Wednesday nights you bring your own steaks, utensils and plates and grill your own steaks. Then you buy drinks and a plate of sides and for a modest $2 cover charge, you hear live music and can dance. A very different experience! Hubby doesn’t dance but fun to watch Deb & Bob practice their two-step moves. They have been taking dance lessons but covid put a stop to all that. And also Linda & Andy got up and danced a few times. Also fun to see all the western outfits and more experienced dancers out there doing their thing. 

The boys cooked the steaks over huge charcoal grills. A fun evening. We managed to drive back after dark (although still fairly early at about 8ish) and not hit a deer in the process. It’s dark in these parts and there are a fair number of deer who have been hit by vehicles. The unfortunate remains can be seen on the sides of the roads… Thank you Brother Bob for being wheel man. 

Thursday, Nov. 5th, 2020 

Today was a hang out day. Some of us fished along the Guadalupe River. Not Gary & I. We don’t fish. Although I did take another walk along the river as that is one of my favorite things. We all played corn hole in the afternoon. Great fun!  And we enjoyed a delicious chili dinner, thanks to Linda & Andy. Afterwards we played some Mexican Train over at Deb & Bob’s to finish off the evening. We also said our goodbyes to Deb & Bob as this is their last night here. They head home tomorrow. A fun 4 days with all the Stapps together!

Friday, Nov. 6th 2020

Today we decided to do another bike ride along the River Trail. We stowed Linda’s bike in the bed of the truck. Our two bikes sit on top of the truck’s “roof,” which typically causes some funny looks wondering how we get them up there. We manage! Gary climbs into the bed of the pickup, I get the bike’s front wheel off the ground and get it up to him then, between the two of us, we get the back wheel up then Gary steps on top of the auxiliary fuel tank and gets the bike on the roof. It’s a process!

Andy was going to chill on a park bench and read until we were done bike riding. Then we were headed to lunch on the outskirts of Kerrville at The Ridge Marketplace. We were launching our bike ride from the Riverside Nature Center which is at the other end of the bike trail that we hadn’t done yet. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Since our bikes sit on TOP of the truck roof, we need a fairly high clearance with them on there. We’re good about remembering to avoid covered parking garages and low bridges, but not so good about remembering that low tree limbs can be a problem. We entered the nature center and were focused on their narrow entry, completely ignoring the fact that there was a low hanging (heavy) tree branch. Ooops. We hear a big Crash. Gary’s bike took the brunt of it as his sits taller than mine on top of the truck. His came out of the bike rack and landed partially in the bed of the truck. We immediately pulled into a parking space and inspected the damage. Lots of leaves in the bed of the truck and stuck on our two bikes. Gary’s bike was initially questionable but he manhandled it into compliance and rode it around the parking lot a bit and everything seemed to work itself out. My bike was fine other than pulling out some leaves in odd places… as was Linda’s. Lesson learned. Remember low lying branches! 

Andy plunked on a park bench in the shade with a book and the three of us rode around for about 5 or 6 miles. It was another pretty section of the river trail. We even saw 2 doe and a big buck. Beautiful! 

Afterwards we loaded the bikes back on and headed out to The Ridge Marketplace for lunch. It was a fun ride out because we hadn’t been to that part of Kerrville before… in the country and pretty homes on the outskirts of town. 

What a great spot! It’s not just a restaurant but they have beautiful gardens, a bakery, an elaborate hen house, outdoor artwork, a gift shop, funky outdoor seating for dining in a variety of locations around their property, as well as ample places to just sit and take in the scenery. Oh yeah, the food was delicious! Big thank you to Linda & Andy for treating us to a lovely post- birthday lunch for me and giving me a beautiful birthday card. Love you guys! One of the most unique restaurants we’ve ever been to!

We had a leisurely lunch, explored the grounds, and I visited the gift shop… it was darling! And Gary and I “visited” the bakery and bought a few things to bring home. 

A lovely day! We headed home and all sat outside for the remainder of the afternoon then retreated to our respective tiny homes when the sun went down. 

Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2020

Today Linda had invited Tricia Ferguson Gaddis for a visit from San Antonio so she and I could re-connect. I hadn’t seen Tricia since I was 2 years old and she was 6. Our families were good friends. The Fergusons suffered a house fire back in about 1960 (no one was hurt) and Tricia and her older sister Carey (who we re-connected with in Galveston last winter) came to live with us for two weeks while the repairs were being made on their home. Their 4 brothers (friends of my bros) stayed with other families.

Tricia got out of her car and presented me with a plant. She said “this is a thank you for the doll you gave me 60 years ago.” Too funny! Tricia remembered my mom with fondness and gratitude saying she was so kind to her and Carey during that time. Regarding the doll, Tricia said she asked my mom “did you make Teresa give us the doll?” And mom said no “Teresa wanted to give you the doll and that’s her favorite.” Apparently I was big into Raggedy Ann. It’s amazing to me that the families have stayed connected all these years. Andy & Linda in particular have stayed in close contact with several of the Ferguson “kids.” And it’s been a joy for Gary & I to connect with Carey and her husband Denis last winter in Galveston and now Tricia here in Kerrville. 

Tricia is a delight! She is funny and direct! Gary and she hit it off immediately. We all sat outside visiting with each other, then the three girls took a walk down to the river and walked around the campground. When we came back we all played corn hole until it got dark, then had dinner. I tried a new recipe called “crockpot cracked chicken” which everyone SAID they liked. I think that’s true! Afterwards we enjoyed a fabulous campfire and made some s’mores. When it got late and a little too chilly, we called it a night. 

Sunday, Nov. 8th, 2020

We all had a leisurely start to the morning then played some more corn hole. Then we headed out for lunch at Toucan Jim’s which we’d heard about from a fellow camper on our walkabout yesterday. It was located in the town of Center Point about 10 minutes from the campground. What a cool place! There is indoor dining but the outside dining is to die for… brightly colored tables, chairs and benches situated under 27 palapas and separated by tons of plants and palm trees. The whole thing gives off an island vibe. We were told to find a table outside that we liked and come tell the waitstaff where we were so they could find us. Every table is named after a different Caribbean island. Once again one of the most unique restaurants we’ve ever been to! Just a delightful time… and the food was great! 

After our lunch Tricia was headed back to San Antonio. She had to work the next day. She is a court reporter, which I found fascinating. I was plying her with questions about her work. She’s owned her own business for years. 

Big thank you to Linda for organizing our reunion! Such a fun time! 

In the afternoon we were visited by friends of A&L who have a home in Kerrville. We visited outside for awhile, played some corn hole and then the friends headed back to their home and the four of us called it an early night and headed back to our tiny homes. A&L are parked next to us so it’s very convenient!

Monday, Nov. 9th, 2020

We had plans to head to San Marcos and visit our friends Meigs & Paul for the day. We were good friends and neighbors in Nottingham for over 30 years. They sold their home in Nottingham a few years ago and moved into a beautiful 55+ community in San Marcos called Kissing Tree. We had a nice drive over along back roads. Thanks for the route suggestion M&P! Lots of rolling hills, ranches and not many cars. We had a fun time together catching up, heading out for a yummy lunch (thank you Paul!) then ice cream at Marble Slab followed by a jaunt around their beautiful community in their golf cart. The last time we visited was in March just before the covid shutdowns took place. So fun to see the changes in their community over the last 8 months with the indoor/outdoor pools and fitness areas all being completed, and, of course, seeing their beautiful home again.

Later in the afternoon it was time for us to head back to our tiny home. We hit some rush hour traffic but not too bad. We got back around 6:30 and settled in for the night. 

Tuesday, Nov. 10th thru Thurs., Nov. 12th, 2020 

Today was a quiet day. A&L had plans to visit friends in the afternoon. We had decided not to accompany them so that we could get a few chores done. We were originally planning on all having lunch together at a Thai restaurant that looked out on a beautiful park before A&L headed out. But it was so windy that eating outside wasn’t really an option so we opted to pass on the dining-in option. We did get together later in the afternoon and enjoyed one last evening together sitting outside, burgers for dinner, and a campfire. A&L were headed off in the morning to meet up with friends camping in San Saba so they called it a night before we did. We sat outside a little longer enjoying the fire. 

Wednesday morning we had to say our goodbyes to A&L but it won’t be for too long as we’ll see them again in early January. Gary & I did laundry then took the drone out for a bit in the afternoon down by the river so Gary could practice and we could try and catch some of the pretty fall colors. We thought he got some particularly nice clips in one section of the river, but soon realized he’d neglected to push the button to start the thing. Ooops. It’s a work in progress! 

Thursday was prep day for our departure tomorrow. Our month in Kerrville is ending. We had a delightful time exploring the Hill Country and would definitely come back! Tomorrow we head further west…