May 18, 2014 (27th Day)

Overslept for the first time, slept past 8:30 am. The clouds were heavy, some black/grey. Very windy and chilly.. Had a good night's sleep. Edith had a strange dream about her favorite aunt. In her dream the aunt showed up at the camper van, knocked on the door. Edith answered and was surprised to see her in her favorite bathrobe holding a bucket, a broom and vacuum cleaner.  She said "your van needs cleaning, so I am here to clean it up for you".  I miss my favorite aunt, who has been dead for 24 years. 

After a good breakfast we tided up the van a bit, then left the campground at 10 am. A late start to begin the day.  On way to Kerrville via i-10/87

Stopped at Hastings book store. Erwin wanted to go and see what it is like. It is similar to Barnes and Noble, but has more electronic things. 

To get her day right Edith had to have her Starbucks caramel macchito, found a store not far from Hastings, so they went after Erwin was done snooping around the store.

Went to Riverside Nature Center, but the store was closed.  We went ahead and entered the enclosed area to look at flowers, cactus, trees, etc., then we took a 1/2 mile walk on Kerrvile Trail, saw different kind of ducks and fox squirrels. An elderly couple were feeding corn to the ducks. According to the park regulation at the entrance we are not allowed to feed anything to wildlife.  We enjoyed our walk.

Always nice to see older people holding hands while walking

We have no idea what kind of duck it is...

May I please have some nuts?
No, you may not cause you're too fat!

Erwin admiring the burl on a tree. He would love to take it home and make a bowl out of it 

 

On way downtown something in front of the store caught our eyes and we quickly pulled into a shopping center.  Beautiful log bed frames that were displayed in front of the store. Look at how huge the logs are.  Pity to the furniture movers and whoever dusts the house!

Since the store was closed we took a peep through the window and they have got nice stuff in there.

While checking it out there was something buzzing back and forth, turned out there were barn swallows. Edith followed them to see where they were going, and around the corner saw this mud nest with two babies in it.  The parent was obviously disturbed that Edith was standing too close to it, but she went ahead and snapped some good pictures.

Beautiful view of the Hill Country, I-10 and Kerrville while we were on way to visit the Empty Cross (Roadside Attraction). It is set on top of the hills overseeing the hill country and I-10. This is the place where you ca write your prayer on the rocks.

View of the Hill Country

Giant steel outline of a Christian cross

King Sculpture Garden

This hollow cross weighs 70 tons and stands exactly 70 feet 7 inches tall

We opted to spend the night in Fredericksburg, TX and camped at Hill Country RV Park, got site #63. Lots of birds flying around. Soon after we settled in a bird came and perched on a barbed wite. A LIFER for Edith - a Scissortail,  So beautiful!!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening enjoying the outside, drinking wine and relaxing. Edith was catching up on trip journal and the blog while Erwin was reading a book. 

For supper Edith decided to serve pan fried pork chops and baked sweet potatoes.  After supper Edith went out looking for birds to shoot (with a camera, of course)

The setting sun was huge but those damned wires!! 

We finally edited and published two posts for our travel blog before retiring for the night.

**For more information on roadside attractions in USA and Canada check it HERE