The trip officially began on Monday, August 1, 2011 as we pulled away from our Georgetown home with two twelve and one three year old aboard accompanying Ermine and I. The first destination was our cabin on the Frio River (or I should say what’s left of the Frio River) near Rio Frio, Texas. The trip took about 5 hours with the usual question on several occasions of “are we there yet.” As we traversed Highways 29, 377 and 83 it was clear that the drought was ever present—burnt up pastures, dry water holes, and stressed vegetation followed us all the way. Upon arrival Ermine and the kids headed immediately for the river to do some swimming in the sweltering heat. The great thing about our place at Cold Springs is the river bank on the west side offers shade and the deep hole below the “rock” offers a cool place to swim even when the river is this low. “The Rock” is about 10 feet above the river and is a famous spot to leap into the river from—even the three year old preformed this ritual.
For the first time in 40 years that I have visited this area, the springs are not running, a sign of just how severe the drought has become. “The land of 1100 springs” as the old beer commercials use to tout has become the land of the few.
Following our fare of hot dogs complete with chili, the girls dashed off to put on their boots and make up in preparation for a trip over to nearby Garner State Park and, hopefully, a chance to dance. This is a summer time ritual that has been going on in my family since the 70s. I was designated the stay at home granddad to keep Colton , our three year old grandson, while the ladies headed to the dance. And things didn’t go well as I expected! Colton immediately upon being left by the group began one of his famous “I want my mommy-daddy” fits which only lasted for the next hour until his crying and tantrum ran the course and he rolled over on the floor and went to sleep.
I wasn’t far behind him. Later the returning dancers, Hilary and her friend Sofie, burst into the cabin happy with their dancing experience—Hilary reported she danced with twelve boys (Ermine reported they were all about a foot shorter than either of the girls—the usual experience at Garner with twelve year olds). But they were satisfied. And so day one ended on a positive note for all but Colton and, of course, me.
Our second day at Cold Springs began with a morning swim for the girls, Colton and Dulce (our 4 pound Chihuahua. Now Dulce in not much into that sort of thing but girls insisted and so to the river she was taken and given a chance to perform for all of us.
Notice the joy in Dulce’s face as she frantically splashed toward the finish line, the rock ledge and she is once again on terra firma. Not really a water dog I don’t think. Well the girls, but not Colton, finally had enough of the water and headed up for lunch and a rest. Sofie’s parents are coming for her in the early afternoon, a short visit for her. In the evening we all, including Colton and I, headed for another round of dancing at Garner. Tonight was not as productive for Hilary but Colton had a great time running in circles with the other 3 and 4 year olds there. And so tomorrow it is on to the ranch.
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