First Mini-Vacay of Summer 2011

Last week we took our first little trip, as I said earlier. We went to a state park we hadn't visited before called Purtis Creek State Park. It was just over an hour from our house, but it took us an hour just to get out of town! We had to stop for gas first. When we got to the gas station I realized I had left the gas money at home. So we went back. Then while Jayme got gas, I ran into the store to get a few last minute things. While inside I realized I had left the beer at home too. So we went back again! Turned out to be a good thing though because we realized we didn't have our State Park Pass with us either. ARGH!!!

Finally we made it and picked a great campsite. Some friends (Ken and Karen) from down the street came out and visited us there too. Clay and Pattie took Ken for a little walk. Our dog went with them too. When they came back, a deer was following them! That was a new experience for sure. She followed them all the way back to our site and then stood there staring at us for a bit before slowing walking off.
That night we ate a nice dinner of pork roast, mashed potatoes and black-eyed peas while we planned the next day. Truth be told, I hadn't done a very good job of packing for the trip. In my defense, we made the plans AFTER I had gone to the store and planned my menu for the week. In the morning I realized that while the kids and I had food we liked in the trailer, there was nothing for Jayme. So we decided to grab something on our way to the Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. Well, we didn't pass anything on the way! luckily the kids were excited enough that they didn't realize they were still hungry!
There are giant catfish to feed as you make your way inside the center

There are other exhibits set up with other Texas native fish like Alligator Gar

They have an on-site museum set up for Texas Game Wardens and since Clay has expressed an interest in that career field (eek!) we walked through it before the Dive Show began. After the Dive Show we took the tram tour through the hatchery ponds and walked back on the Nature Trail. Then it was time to fish!

While they were all very patient and tried their best, there wasn't much luck to be had. Clay did catch a small catfish but he put it back before I could get there with the camera. Pattie had given up and given me her pole and after deciding to try one more time, we did manage to catch a fish:

Raley tried his hardest, even switching poles when his started to act up. He sure was cute standing there:

At that point, the temperature was rising into the nineties and we realized we were STARVING! So we headed off to the nearest thing that sounded good. After a hearty lunch of grease and beef and a quick run into Walmart for a few more supplies we drove back to camp. That afternoon, Raley and Jayme were planning another trip down the bike trail, but discovered the previous day's trip had resulted in each of their bikes getting flat tires! Lesson learned to buy and bring tire repair kits on future trips.
Instead of biking we sunscreened up and headed for the swimmin' hole. It's different than the one we are used to as it's a shallow gradually deeper entry with no diving platform. It was tons of fun though. Jayme and I found freshwater mussels for the kids who built a small pool for them. Then before we left, we counted them up and dropped them further out in the water where the food would be better for them. All told, we had collected 74!
That night the guys tried their luck with a little night fishing. They did see a beaver in the water and a raccoon that walked brazenly down the pier, but no fish. Jayme fished the next morning at a spot near our camp. Clay went with him while started to get breakfast together. Clay came running back into camp telling us to come quick and bring the camera because Daddy had caught a HUGE bass. Off we went in our pajamas (hoping no one else was up at that hour on the trails) but halfway there, Jayme met us saying that as he held her in the water, she flapped her big tail and he lost her! But with Clay as a witness, we believe his fish tale of the one that got away.
On our way back from Athens the day before, our much beleaguered air conditioner belt finally shredded so we were without cold air. Since the temperature was already creeping into the high 80s at 10 am, we decided to go ahead and make our way home before the 2 pm check out time. A little over an hour later we were back home and ready to relax in our cool house!
We had a great time and have already decided to go back to Purtis Creek soon. It's close enough for a day trip just to hike and swim. It may have been a rocky start to our mini trips but the next one should go smoother. Not sure where it will be or when just yet. We do have a trip planned for this coming week, but it's a whole nuther thing...stay tuned!