Saturday was to be my work in the yard day, but as I sat around trying to get started I decided I would rather go hiking. Sandy & I had been wanting to get out & see the wildflowers and make a trip back to Hamilton Pool up by Austin. So, we did just that.
An uneventful trip up this time, and we arrived at the Pool around 1 pm. Even that late, there were only a few other cars in the lot. The hike to the pool is really fairly simple, a steep downhill walk, hang a right for a quarter mile and voila, there ya be! It was very pretty and for the most part ours. We spent an hour just wandering about and Sandy got some great photos.
We finished the hiking by heading back for the 1 1/2 mile hike to the Pedernales River.
It's a beautiful hike almost reminesent of the Fern Lake hike, but the payoff is weak! The Pedernales is just a brown trickle right now. I'm sure after the spring rains it'll pick up.
Having worked up a hunger we decide to head back into Austin for some grubbage. Our favorite spot is Crabby Jack's right on Town Lake (it's the Colorado River - but I guess they didn't like that name). Because of it being right on the river, there is a gaggle of geese that hangout in the parking lot, begging for handouts. We went to the river edge looking for foto op's. Sandy spots a momma goose sitting on her nest and decides to grab some photos. As I stand just taking in the Austin skyline, I become aware that the geese have surrounded me in hopes of getting fed I guess. I'm awed by how tame they seem. Without warning one begins pecking at my shoe strings. "How cute". Apparently the leather shoe strings weren't very satisfying because without warning they decided that wanted human flesh! Bam! One got me good, right on the inside of my thigh. Holy Crap - that hurt! I want to turn and run, screaming like an old woman, but notice that the deck is full of diners and they all seem to be looking our direction. Gotta be cool, so I try to just laugh it off, but the damn carnivores won't stop!! I'm finally able to beat a retreat while saving my dignity but did manage to lose some flesh in the process.
Inside for some Corona's and a nice fish dinner (I was tempted to order goose) . It was a great afternoon, sitting on the deck overlooking the river. The weather was incredible! Temps in the 70's, gentle breezes, kayakers out on the river and a gorgeous view of the Austin skyline! I could've sat there all day. Like the old Eagles song - "Peaceful, Easy Feeling". Finally it was time to go, so off for the house. It had been a great day (goose attack not withstanding) and we had a lot of fun!
