Adventurenet.net

Sunday March 31st, 2024. 10:14pm. Austin, Texas 72° F (22° C)

Noting for myself that the second day of this trip was on Sunday February 25th.

Upon waking up too early again I make my way to the park restroom to brush my teeth and prepare my day.

The showers at the parks are always very nice and I should try using one some time.

In fact, I’ll add this to my adventure list right now.

Done.

My cell reception in this area was not great and I forgot to pre-download the map for this area.

It took a bit of doing to get the directions.

I know which way is West when leaving the park, so no big deal. I’ll plug in the address and start driving in the right direction and my phone will get the data it needs eventually.

Also of note, there was a weird hum at the park when I was waking up. It ended just before I left.

Maybe this was an gas powered generator?

It felt a bit weird, but it didn’t wake me up, so no harm.

A couple of things about this drive are worth noting.

1. I love driving through the desert. It’s super relaxing. I don’t know why, but the world just feels right.
2. Um. There was a topless cowboy posing for selfies on the side of the road at one point. Really had some glorious Orville Peck vibes. Glam on, cowboy.

I should tell you the story about the time my wife got Orville Peck to dedicate a love song to me at a show. I’m still blushing.

Ahhh, the sun is up and the star destination that I want to visit is now in sight.

Monahans Sandhills State Park

First things first, check in to get my window sticker and ask the rangers what I should do during my visit.

This is a very nice and new building they have here. Love the vibe.

They have an edutainment game here about waterfall and sand.

The rangers here are delightful and it has been suggested that I should sled down a sand dune.

They have those circle shield sleds here that you can rent for $5.

I am also learning that there is a ranger who has to clear the sand off of the road every day.

Did you know that because the wind moves the sand around that this park never looks the same?

I’ve never been to a sand dune before and so this is truly fascinating to me.

I love the rental centers at parks. I would love to host a murder mystery party at one of these sometime.

Really an affordable solution.

Oh… Bird tracks. Also snake tracks.

And… sand poop balls? I don’t know what these are.

Behold the dunes!

Walking through sand is exhausting.

Exhausted dune selfie!

And check out this lone park bench.

I brought the tripod so that I could take pictures as well.

I set time intervals in between taking pictures.

I also brought the sled and some water.

Found a nice hill which means it is officially sand hill sledding time.

Wish me luck.

Wheeee!

Oh no! It’s spinning!

Oof!

Well. I made it. Sort of. Now I just need to climb this steep sand hill.

This really is exhausting.

I wanted to travel further into the park to find a spot with less human tracks, but I gave up after about 600 or 700 feet into the sand hills.

And I’m glad that I did because after making it up this hill I drank about half of my water that I brought with me.

See? I’m not that far from where I parked and my body is already wrecked.

This picture of me leaving with the Mad Max park bench is my new favorite picture.

The wind and sand blowing through my bald.

I really did get a lot of sand in my shoes when climbing back up.

Now let’s talk about the birds.

It looks like the roadrunners here in West Texas are taller and chubbier.

After returning to the park’s HQ to return the sled I learn that these are not chubby roadrunners at all. They’re quails.

What a fascinating park and I have come to learn that there are several other sand parks of various sand colors as well.

One small gripe.

After parking my car I did a quick search about whether or not I should bring the trekking poles into the sand and if I did what piece should I use on the end.

The website that I found said not to bring them.

This is bad advice.

If you’re going into the sand, bring the trekking poles. I don’t know what pieces to put on the end, but take all of the help you can get to save some precious energy.

I have a new respect for the desert after a short walk on sand hills.

Right! On to the next state park. Big Spring State Park

There’s a little check-in spot here, but it is not occupied.

I see that there is another building near the top of the hill here, so I will drive there to see if I can find a way to have my passport stamped and see if I need to check in at this park.

The answer to this question is “No.” This park has no staff. Well, at least none that I could find and I did look.

It’s a little bit of a let down, but I came, I saw and I now have more time for the next park. I hadn’t decided where I was going next until I saw this sign that I needed to go to Lake Colorado City state park if I wanted my stamp, and I definitely want my stamp.

I’m a little bit annoyed that I don’t have a stamp for my visit to Old Tunnel state park which is another one with no on-site staff.

Also, there is no camping at this location.

It has the infrastructure to have more and maybe one day they can have camping here.

Or maybe because it’s so close to the town this is why there is no camping here. 🤷

Lake Colorado City state park has an abandoned gas station across the road.

I had a great conversation with a ranger at this park.

I learned that when it comes to relationships that I tend to shut down and cut off and that my partner does the opposite. She tends to pull in and demand a conversation.

This has been an issue we face in our relationship that we are learning how to deal with.

My conversation with the superintendent at this park helped me to recognize this and I must thank her.

I’ve been meaning to send a postcard, but I have not yet done this.

I think I will complete this after I press the publish button on this post.

I also see in my handwritten notes that I am enjoying the audiobook that I have been listening to on this drive and I need to get the next books in the series.

Great book. I recommend it. A Small Town in Southern Illvaria by acaswell if you’re interested in books that take place inside of video games.

But back to the park.

I took a short hike through Roadrunner Loop.

They use plastic ribbons tied to trees here as trailheads have not yet been installed.

Check out this egg looking rock.

Classic cacti.

This used to be an old ranch. I am told there is an old car out here somewhere. I did not see this, but I did find an old tin can.

It was a lovely trip and I met a lot of lovely people.

Upon returning home I was also greeted with some postcards.

Here is a postcard from Germany that got wet at some point.

Now we must talk about the postcard from Czechia that is truly bizarre.

I keep this at my work desk because the more I look at it the stranger it becomes.

This is how I feel about most Salvador Dali paintings as well.

Aw, nice happy potato farmer man.

Why is there a blue alien guy?

Wait, he’s not a potato farmer, he’s just wearing a potato bag as clothing.

Why does he have a knife scissors & keys?

Or a broom for that matter?

On my postcrossing profile I mention that I am happy to take ugly postcards that folks are having trouble getting rid of, and this is why this card was sent to me.

The sender does not like it.

I love it.

Remus says “Hi.”