Day 22: Hamilton Pool Reserve and Reimer State Park

After taking John to the airport, Steve-O , Chandler and I ventured towards Casa de Luz for breakfast. I was in desperate need for some juice so we stopped by the wonderful Daily Juice Cafe beforehand. It is an eclectic little raw foods cafe and juice bar. They have 3 different locations, so if you are in the area and need some yumminess, check them out. http://www.dailyjuice.org/
Chandler had a smoothie with grapefruit in it- that threw me off a bit... Steve-O had a yummy watermelon smoothie- oh my gosh, and I had my usual juice: carrot, beet, greens, and apple, with a side of wheatgrass.

We loaded up on juice and Casa de Luz's macrobiotic goodness and headed out to Dripping Springs, TX to spend more time at the Hamilton Pool Reserve. The morning started out cloudy and drizzly, and although that was a bit soothing in it's own way, I was really really wanting the sun to make her appearance.
Since our visit was limited last weekend (due to the parks early closing time) Chandler and I were anxious to hike down to the Pernales River, Something we didn't have time to check out before. The swampiness of the creek alongside the desert-like hill country is so beautiful. The hike all the way to the river was spectacular. Little crystal clear pools in the creek, huge old trees with their roots creeping up through the water like Swamp Thing, I loved it. And, the tall golden grass moving in the breeze, it is like I'm in a poem.

Once we got down to the river we decided to chill there for a while. It was so peaceful, we hardly saw another soul and although the sun still wasn't out, the weather was warm enough for it to be comfortable.

We eventually walked to the pool and Steve-o was just as amazed as we were with the magnificence of it. We laid our towels out and soon the sun came out. It turned in to what I consider the most perfect weather day! We spent a few hours walking around the pool and napping on the beach and decided to check out Reimer State Park next door.

Reimer was different from Hamilton Pool Reserve, in that it we hiked through a canyon and then out to the banks along the river. It was hot, but breezy and it was interesting seeing the difference in landscape. The boys took a swim in the chilly waters as I watched (I was not brave enough to get in those 60 degree waters!!).

As the sun dropped lower in the sky we left, heading back to Austin for dinner before driving to Killeen for Chandler's last day of work on base.