Amistad

We hit the road again and left the great city of San Antonio this morning and headed to Amistad National Recreation Area.  Amistad Reservoir is shared between Mexico and the United States.  We didn't see much of it but what we saw was beautiful.  It has these high cliffs along the edges which give it a very unique appearance.  

We went on a little jaunt along the edge of the reservoir and it was beautiful...that is, until I stepped in some poop.  All of a sudden I felt something on my ankle and had kicked up some fresh poop right up.  Gross. 

We ate some lunch and hit the road again.  After several more hours in the car we finally reached Big Bend National Park.  I will say, I don't think I have ever been anywhere so isolated.  Big Bend is massive and so far removed from everything, which I must admit, might be part of it's charm. 

We made the trek into the Chisos Mountains part of the park and checked into the lodge there.  We went on a little hike on the Window View Trail.  It was stunning looking at the mountains surrounding us and the "window" was beautiful.  We hit it at the perfect time. 

Next, we got some dinner at the lodge and settled in for the night.  But not before going outside and seeing the beauty of the night sky.  It was unbelievable how dark it was and how many stars you could see - the beauty of isolation!

Caves, Ostriches, and Temples

Today was ALL about the kiddos - but everyone had loads of fun!

It was misty and drizzling this morning as we loaded up in the car to begin our adventures.  We shuffled our plans around a bit and decided to start our day with the cave.  We went to Natural Bridge Caverns and it was awesome!  The tour we went on was really cool and the kiddos did really well!  Jacob was completely amazed at everything, Sarah was nervous about bats ("eating my dress") and said some pretty funny things to the cave (I was walking behind her and a drop of water must have landed on her head and she points her finger up at the ceiling of the cave and whispers - completely serious - "you stop getting me wet!" - HA!), and Benjamin slept most of the time - WIN!  

The opening of the cave.

We then did some fun canopy climbing things after we got out of the cave.  It was not busy at all when we were there and the kiddos had the entire thing to themselves!  I am pretty sure they could have played on there ALL day!  

Also, notice the evolution of Sarah's and my hair.  It seems to grow bigger and bigger by the minute we are here.  We are trying to embrace it and promise we did try to get ready this morning!

We ate our lunch and then headed over to Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.  We have done a couple different car/zoo experiences before but this was unlike any other!  They give you a bag of food and you are allowed and ENCOURAGED to roll down your windows and feed the animals!  The kids were in heaven!  It was awesome and super fun.  The animals were NOT shy at all (of course they have come to expect food from cars) and sometimes it was a little crazy!  

This big guy was just cute...and, obviously not shy!

Okay, this is when things got CRAZY!  These ostriches are RUNNING to the car!

Luckily, Mark was fast enough to roll up our windows a little and they were definitely trying to get in!  Sarah and I were equally laughing and terrified all at the same time!

We then walked around and they had a petting barn filled with goats that the kiddos had fun petting and we got up close with their new baby giraffe.  

Nothing quite like a furry pillow when you get tired ;)

Next, we headed over to the San Antonio Temple and it was stunning.  It is only about a mile away from where we are staying and truly beautiful.  Every window is stained glass and are unbelievable.  I loved them. 

We ended the day going to La Fogota.  I don't know why I planned double Mexican nights but the atmosphere's were very different and I think I actually liked the food a little better tonight.  Also, we did another early dinner (hello, Valentine's Day!) and it was great!

Another wonderful day in Texas!