Camp Lonehollow Weekend

Last weekend was so much fun. We did so much and traveled so much that it wasn't really relaxing, but oh was it fun. I caught a bug on the trip and came home sick so this week has been mostly laying on the couch and knitting for me. I've been too tired to even post pictures here of the trip.

Mom, Dad and I headed down to Austin last Thursday to pick up my sweet niece Karlie Rose.
I was so glad that she was able to go with us to camp, it really made the weekend all the more fun.
I begged to stop in Fredricksburg for ice cream.  I don't even know the name of the ice cream shop, but Frank and I discovered it years ago and I have only ever had one flavor, Amaretto Peach Pecan.  Why try any other?!  I'm thinking of a cake inspired by those flavors....


We arrived at camp before dark, and though I was super tired I did stay awake to see the gorgeous scenery on the drive.  The super curvy roads made me understand why dad wanted to get there before dark.  The camp is called Lonehollow, and an old family friend lives and works there.  April is in charge of the horses and lives above the barn. We did so much in two days at camp that it really seems like we were there for a week, and I would have happily stayed longer.

We pet and fed the barnyard animals.


We drove to the front of the property, which is 3,000 acres, and fed ducks at the river, checked on horses and admired the pretty wildflowers.








We picnicked at the tree house cabins and Karlie fished with Poppy on the lower lake.




Karlie rode Pretty boy, a big paint horse, sat on the miniature horse pizazz and took turns with cousins riding another horse who's name I can't remember.  Here she is pointing out that she will be three on her next birthday.  I told her that Poppy's birthday was coming up and then Frank's, so she was repeatedly singing Happy Birthday to Poppy and Gaga. 


In case you are wondering, her "riding" consisted of April leading the horse and me holding onto Karlie's leg.  I had imagined that one of us would ride with her but April said that isn't a safe practice.



April and I went on a trail ride around the camp and middle lake.  I was on a horse named Trigger who was sweet and slow.  I hadn't been on a horse since mine and Frank's honeymooon in Belize, though I used to ride and take lessons in middle and high school.






After horse back riding we went back to the river, the Sabinal, to wade.  On every ride around the camp Karlie wanted to sit right next to April and Lily Lu so that she could help "drive".


The weather was perfect, the river was clear and full and we waded and swam a bit both days.






Each clear day ended with a gorgeous sunset over the Texas Hill Country. 










On Saturday my aunt, and cousin and her family came out to share in the fun.  We toured the camp,  some of us fished, some swam, rode horses some more, petted and fed animals, wrangled a few horses and ended the day with roasting marshmallows at the top of one of the higher points on the property.  All together it was a magical time and I'm so thankful to have a friend to visit in such a beautiful place.  I have beautiful childhood memories of time in the Hill Country with April's family and am so glad that we continue to make more. Photos really don't do it justice because they can't give you a scope of how spectacular the scenery is.  I had seen pictures from my parents visits but was just blown away in person.  The camp is just beautiful.  The buildings and improvements are really nice, but the landscape in this, the most beautiful part of Texas, really sets the scene.  I'm hoping to take Frank back for a visit in the Fall.

I'm still trying to kick this sick thing that I've had all week.  Yesterday was Dad's birthday and I made him the Carrot Cake, which we plan to take to my parent's house tomorrow.  Happy Birthday Poppy!