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Shannon Camps Solo - Day #3
Location: Hill Country State Natural Area, Bandera, TX
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2003 (Aerial Photos from August 9, 2003)
Weather: Hot (mid-90's), humid & hazy
Activities: Camping, hiking, photography & writing
GPS Tracks & Waypoints: 6 Mile Hike | West Verde Creek Area
Submitted by: Shannon Moore
Trip Wrap-Up / Departure
I awoke before sunrise and hiked 1.89 miles today, beginning on the Pasture Loop (Trail 9) across from my campsite. I explored the exterior of an old barn and derelict military vehicle located atop the hill before continuing east for about .4 miles. I would have hiked further, were it not for the overgrown brush I encountered and christened as the "CHIGGERS" waypoint (N29 37.556 W99 10.022). The brush would have been easily passable on horseback, but it was not wise to push though on foot unless one wanted to encounter chiggers. I've been especially careful to avoid chigger-prone areas ever since Justin's encounter with the little pests during our 1997 camping trip at Hill Country SNA.
After hiking back to the park road, I walked to the park gate and creek crossing for some photographs, and then continued to the historic Merrick Bar-O Ranch home which was built in 1916 and now serves as the ranger's residence. The morning was hazy and quite humid, with a light mist falling; annoyingly, my glasses kept fogging as I hiked.
After taking some parting photographs, I headed back to camp to pack everything for my return trip home. Check-out time is not until 2 PM at Texas State Parks, but for Sunday departures I prefer vacating my campsite in the morning so I arrive home with plenty of time to clean up and prepare for the work week ahead.
This camping trip will be one long-remembered for the unique experiences and photographs it provided. I look forward to returning to Hill Country SNA with Justin when the weather is less harsh!
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