Leaving the Nest

My original plan after Christmas in Texas had been to head east, but Mother Nature stuck her nose in, dishing up unseasonably cold weather, so I decided to head south.

With the goal of saving money, as well as connecting with places in a more personal way, I joined two RV overnight organizations: Boondockers Welcome, and Harvest Hosts.

Boondockers Welcome is a little like AirBNB for RVers, but also not like it at all. Basically, members can stay at each others’ houses; sometimes for free, other times for a little to help with the price of power/water.

Harvest Host connects RVers with wineries, breweries, and museums for a free place to stay; encouraging the guests to purchase items. For me I’m most excited about the wineries. It will be a real hardship for me to partake in a wine tasting or buy a bottle of wine!

I jumped into these programs with both feet.

My first official night living in my RV I stayed on a ranch in the middle-of-nowhere, just outside of Waco, Texas. The stay was everything I’d hoped: warm, welcoming, and rustic.

(Did you get distracted by the reference to Waco? Are you currently watching HGTV and dreaming of shiplap? No, I didn’t go to the Silos this time around) The Waco rest stop did, however, fully embrace the famous style of Johanna Gaines in the best possible way.

Following a restful night on the ranch, I headed to Colorado Bend State Park. After traversing roads that twisted around the countryside like dark ribbons (the roads were so narrow and curvy! I think my top speed was probably 45), I found myself staring at a sign stating: “Park at Capacity.”

At first, I accepted the sign at face value and departed. Then I stopped, turned around, and did what I should have done in the first place – asked. There are benefits to rainy, cloudy, “cold” days – people with reservations don’t show up!

After making the inadvisable mistake of wearing new boots on an (easy) hike with my sister and brother-in-law, I am currently sporting two rubbed-off blisters the size of silver dollars (you’re welcome for not providing pictorial evidence). Due to this most painful malady (ok malady might be a bit dramatic, but you get the point - it hurt!), I decided steep hikes were off the table.

Instead, I explored the banks of the Colorado River, the contrasting hues of the jade river and golden fields nestled up to it were a feast for the eyes. (Dang, were they pretty!). I almost had the place to myself, as sprinkles and highs in the lower 60s kept many hikers away.

The primary draw of this particular state park is Gorman Falls.

I love waterfalls, so of course I had to discover why it was such a big deal, even though the trail was rated as “challenging.”

The mile and a half hike at first lulled me into a false sense of security.

This is “challenging”?

Rocks of many sizes (not pictured, I was trying not to trip in those sections) littered the winding path as it meandered through grasslands and clumps of trees.

Then, I reached the descent and everything changed.

The reward at the bottom was indeed a waterfall, but watching others battle the ascent. I questioned if it was worth it. (Remember how, 7 sentences ago I said steep hikes were off the table? Yeah.)

Not one to turn from a challenge, I bravely backed my way down, clinging onto the railing for dear life. What greeted me at the end validated the effort (Yep, it was worth it!). The falls themselves were a small stream, trickling from high above me, but next to them, draped over the cliff were green veils of calcite, appearing to defy gravity.

My ascent wasn’t nearly as difficult as I feared, and soon I departed the park, ready for a shower and a glass of wine!

Both of these goals were easily achieved when I arrived at my overnight location: Fiesta Winery.

As the sunset over the grapevines, I enjoyed a glass and toasted to a successful day.