Little Cabin In The Woods

I just need to wait one more year to see a 200 year old pecan tree . At least, that is what the sign I am reading says. Actually, it says this pecan tree is 199 years old. I wonder what a pecan from a 200 year old tree tastes like? 

Today I am hiking in the McKinney Roughs State Park. It's an 1,100 acre nature park located 13 miles east of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It's a rolling box canyon with meadows full of wildflowers in the spring. The Colorado River flows and bends through the park like a lazy drifter.

I walked just a short distance down the road from where I am staying in "The Little Cabin in the Woods" to find the trailhead for my hike. Horseback riders and hikers are allowed on the 18 miles of trails, but no mountain bikes.

I pay my entrance fee on the honorary system and pick up a map to determine the route I want to take today. There are many outlooks where I can look down on the river and then at times I am hiking along the river . It is early December and the late fall has taken the leaves from the trees that would be so beautiful in the spring and summer. Nevertheless, I enjoy the scenery. Fall and winter have their own natural beauty just as the spring and summer does.

I see a number of equestrians on the trail and we exchange quick greetings. The weather is warm and soon I am stopping to rest and snack. The map is a good one and I am able to follow my chosen route of about 12-15 miles through the park up and down hills and along the winding river. It is a great area and great hiking here.

After about 4 hours I return to the Cabin in the Woods. Ron and Sarah, my hosts, are busy working around the place. They raise quail, chickens, goats, and fish. 

A couple of times I have helped sane the fish pond. The goats are always entertaining and like to romp and play around the farm when they are let out of their pens. There are pens of different aged chickens . The older chickens are allowed out of their pens each day to peck around the area. Ron and Sarah treat their animals like pets. The animals are very well taken care of and they enjoy spending play time with them.

 I ended up spending a total of 5 weeks here and really enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the cabin life. The cabin is a cozy place to stay with everything I needed to be comfortable. The time has passed quickly and I wish I had longer to stay. Besides hiking and riding my bicycle, I had time to read a good novel and explore the nearby town of Bastrop. 

I have known the Greenfields for almost 20 years and it was a great time getting to spend time together and meeting their many wonderful friends. They are quality people and have long time friendships they have built over the years. You can tell they are both well respected by their neighbors and friends. It has been a really wonderful time and I hate to see it end. We had a lot of good laughs and meals together. Thanks to them for a special time in the Cabin in the Woods.

I was also able to stop by the place I retired from and visit my co-workers. It was good seeing everyone and they seem to be doing just fine without me, so I guess I can continue my retirement.

Today, I leave the cabin and drive back to Arkansas where I will begin my final preparations for my journey abroad to begin in a little over a week. Hope you come along by way of my blog.