Spring Camping On The Texas Pedernales
Beauty, Just Good Stuff | Posted by Jannie on 28 March 2010 @ 7:16 PM 47 Comments
Here are a few photos I took this past weekend on Kelly’s semi-annual school camping trip. (I took over 100. Only subjecting you to 14.) (Today.) 
(edit: I took over 100 photos — not 100 kids, as per funny/smart Hilary’s amused observation.) At least that’s what I think she meant by “100 little wonders.”) ?
The next one I call Sunday Morning Bleary. Kelly had about 3 hours sleep Saturday night. And maybe 6 hours Friday. ’Twas a wild and wonderful time for all.
Camp sweet home. My tent!
Kelly has her own little tent she shares with a friend or two.
She does show up for food and drink occasionally at my site.
Notice the half-gallon of hand sanitizer on my table. I told you I’m OCD with that stuff, right?
Jim never stays for the night (boo-hoo) but he does come for the Saturday potluck dinner followed by the sing-along — so that’s better than nothing!
My favorite part of camping — the coffee bacon mornings! Pancakes too! ‘Cept I didn’t photograph the pancakes.
But I did photograph Kelly up a tree Friday night!
(Don’t worry, don’t worry – all the kids climb that. She just happened to be the only one up there at the moment.)
Okay so, just when you thought you’d seen it all — I tell you a river is about a 3-minute walk down the path from the tenting area.
And I show you yet more pics — of river stuff.
A second edit: because I can, and because there were no words between these two pictures…
The nights were cold, maybe around 45-50?F (9C) and the days were about 78F (24C.)
There, all better with this post now.
On you go!
But wait! There were no words between these pix either!
Ahh, much better now.
And more words here. The water was about 55F (12C) Brrrrr!!
Yes — someone took a picture of ME too! I did!! A little shadow dancing with myself.
Anyhoo, Jim has bought a tiramisu cake from Whole Foods! And I think I shall post this and go see if I can offer him any assistance with the window he’s putting in. Then get Miss Sweetie Camper off the computer and into the bath. And to an early bed. Oh yeah. School again tomorrow!
Toodles, sweeties!
(Look, my shoe!)
Off I go.
xoxo
(Yes, all these are iPhone pix, in case any of your enquiring minds were wondering.)
Another little edit: What’s nice about this school trip is the parents bring their kids, so it’s not like I was in a chaperone situation over a bunch of kids. A real family outing!
And I did drink 3 beers. Well, 2.75 total. I petered out on my Friday night one. But made up for it Saturday with those two whole Sierra Nevada Pale Ales! And had a couple ounces of wine that night too. DECADENT JANNIE!!
On 28 March 2010 at 7:57 pm Joy said,
good photos. Spring is really here.
On 28 March 2010 at 8:36 pm suzen said,
Hi Jannie! We just got back from a weekend at the lake house – these pictures remind me soooo much of when we went up there when the kids were little – prehouse we were big into camping! WONDERful memories! It is great that you and Kelly are making memories you will never forget!
Oh – and great photos – as usual!
hugs
suZen
On 28 March 2010 at 9:51 pm Lance said,
This looks so strange…camping (and swimsuits) in March!!! You are a lucky bunch!!!
I like your nice orange tent, Jannie! Were there s’mores at that campfire??
And mmm….breakfast at the campsite…does it get any better than that???
On 28 March 2010 at 10:06 pm Caity said,
Aw, looks like so much fun!
On 29 March 2010 at 12:03 am Sean said,
Wow, the iPhone takes really good pictures. I wonder if the Droid pictures are just as good?
I got your CD, I plan on listening to it tomorrow.
On 29 March 2010 at 12:29 am J.D. Meier said,
Camping is such a great reminder of how the simple things in life are so good.
I love the mindset that happens while camping. It’s always refreshing.
On 29 March 2010 at 3:28 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. I thought you’d taken 100 little wonders camping .. & I thought .. my goodness me = wonderwoman we have in Texas .. but no – just pics!!
The iphone does well doesn’t it .. good shots .. lovely to see ..glad the camp was a happy place, lots of friends .. near enough for Jim, trees and a river – and warmth – please can I have some?
Enjoy the week – school et al .. bye for now .. Hilary
On 29 March 2010 at 4:18 am Lynn said,
Hey – a tent all to yourself. Did you read with a flashlight?
Looks like a fun time for all. Bacon on the outdoor grill. Yum.
On 29 March 2010 at 5:55 am Adrenalynn said,
WOW, fantastic photos! Why couldn’t I come?! I can’t wait for the weather to get warm enough over here so we can be outside for more than five minutes at a time. Oh, and now I’m craving some bacon. Curses!
On 29 March 2010 at 9:51 am Lance said,
Hey!!! That’s YOUR picture by your great big eye header!!! Methinks….you are happy and smiling because you see your tagline over there to the left “writing songs and singing for donuts & beer”. That would make me smile, too…although I’m sure others would cringe at hearing me sing!!!!!
Happy 329!!!
On 29 March 2010 at 9:55 am Lance said,
Okay – that was pretty wild!!!!
I just noticed I left a comment last night at 9:51 PM and then right now at 9:51 AM…without even trying!!! There must be a sign of some sort here….
Aha!!! I know!!! There are 951 reasons why I love Jannie and her blog!!!! I would post them all…in individual comments…except I’m sure you would then ban me from your site….
#1: Jannie loves mismatched socks.
On 29 March 2010 at 10:45 am Jannie said,
…
my jannie is bak! she gonna be typping furyisslee for the next wiles, ansiring yor beloving kommints.
your bb
ox
On 29 March 2010 at 11:17 am Talon said,
*waving at shadow Jannie* Looks like you all had a fabulous time! I wish it was warm enough here to enjoy some outdoor fun like that!
On 29 March 2010 at 1:06 pm Patricia said,
Oh how fun and I wish I had been there. We did have one day of Sunshine and an out of house experience visiting in Portland.
I think you are brave – I always made my husband do the school camping trip each year as I get overwhelmed in the woods with 300 kids and their noise and landscape damage…Plus we never had all three in the same school at the same time….someone had to stay home with the other.
I miss camping and hiking
Thank you for sharing your adventure – such joy on the kid’s faces – That’s what it is all about! Oh Maybe that is the hokey pokey?
On 29 March 2010 at 1:07 pm Anonymous said,
Jannie of Funsterville, sounds like a novel by Thomas Hardy. First off I really dug your Penguin poem, and how is it that a Funster sent Kelly that massive stuffed penguin buddy! 55 Flash Fiction Friday…I guess that is something borrowed from another blog? It is like the site, “6″, which challenges one to write a bit of prose while using only 6 lines. “What can you say in 6 lines?” is the challenge. I think, as I noted when I posted your poem over on my blog, writing a poem that comes out exactly 55 words would be a challenge for any poet. MARCH OF THE PENGUINS was a terrific film, nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe. I loved it. Morgan Freeman’s voice is so melodious, I could listen to him reading the phone book. Camping in Texas in March at 78 degrees! Yeah, even though there was snow in Texas and not in Washington state this winter, our warmest day, last week, was 70 degrees. Is that park where you were camping safe for kids, no snakes, red ants, wild boars, gaters ? Yup, your iphone does take snappy pics. Thanks again, I received my Billy Collins poetry book on Saturday, and am deep into it already.
On 29 March 2010 at 1:09 pm Glenn Buttkus said,
Now BB, you are to blame for me getting the Anonymous label on my comment. Someone snuck it on when your big brother left a comment on here several days ago. Damned cyber gnomes are really pesky this time of the year.
On 29 March 2010 at 2:00 pm Mama Zen said,
Wow, that looks like fun!
On 29 March 2010 at 3:30 pm Susan Helene Gottfried said,
Okay, until I saw the wussie stove, I was all set to move so my kids can go to school with yours ’cause we LOVE to camp — which we’d never done prior to my taking The Boy Band to Cub Scout Camp four years ago now. A school camping trip… that SO rocks.
That stove? Wuss. (wait until you hear what we cook over a campfire and you’ll understand. And want recipes/instructions.)
On 29 March 2010 at 3:41 pm william said,
these pics were awsome im jealous of the weather u have lol..
On 29 March 2010 at 4:30 pm TheWeyrd1 said,
My nephews love to go tubing on the various rivers in Texas…especially this one in Kerrville, where my mom lives…
On 29 March 2010 at 4:57 pm Ana Goncalves said,
Dear Jannie,
Looks like you had a fantastic time on your camping adventures including that of your daughter.
I am happy that both of you had fun and enjoyed unique experiences.
Your photos show the great fun had by all.
The closest I have to being camping was inside a sweat lodge, and that was handmade by all of us people who were involved inside of it.
Kind Wishes
On 29 March 2010 at 5:18 pm Paige said,
that is a beautiful river and it looks like y’all some crazy fun. no wonder i smelled bacon, that scent sure travels, ya know.
in that one shadow photo, it looks like way too many fingers
Poor BB didn’t get pantycakes aww
On 29 March 2010 at 5:20 pm LL Cool Joe said,
Wow I’m so jealous of the weather! I’m not jealous of the camping though!
On 29 March 2010 at 5:55 pm sheila said,
I went on many a field trip with my kids over the years. But never did the tent camping ones. Or even the cabin camping ones, lol. Tent camping with all those kids? You’re either insane or…nuts. lol. Nawwww, your just a great mom. Nice pics! I really liked the ones of the shadow figures on the rocks.
On 29 March 2010 at 6:24 pm Jannie said,
…
Whoo-I just responded to all the comments on the previous post!! Yay!
And I look very very forward to chatting you a up on these comments too. Soon. Most probably soon, I mean. Definetly sooner than later!!
xoxoxo
On 29 March 2010 at 6:46 pm Jaymie said,
Oh how fun! Reminds me of school camping trips with my boys!
On 29 March 2010 at 6:50 pm cindy said,
That looks like such a good time. I can’t wait until my girls are big enough for camping
(OK maybe I can.. I’m really enjoying my cuddly newborn right now, but you get the picture I’m sure)
On 29 March 2010 at 7:26 pm vered | professional blogger said,
“Jim never stays for the night” – ha! I never do either. I love camping, except for the sleeping-in-a-tent part.
On 29 March 2010 at 8:01 pm Jannie said,
…
hello!
As you may already have guessed, this is Jannie, your comment responder for this portion of the evening.
JOY!! Is it really YOU?? Well, welcome! So gald you could pop in and pull up a chair ’round the table again! Spring has indeed sprung. And I bet NY NY is starting to look greener every day. Tho, I do prefer it in autumn. Tho I’ve never really been there in autumn. But I know the song well.
And hey!! You’ve got your gravatar for Wordpress since I last saw you here, right?/ Brill!!!
Suzen!! You have remodeled your lakehouse, right? Or are in the process? And here in a week or so you’ll be skedaddling off to some awesome beach cloaked in mystery. You’re right about the memories, tho I imagine she’ll remember the moments with her friends more than the ones with me.
But she’ll appreciate the photos, I’m sure!
Lance!! Yes, it is starting to warm up here indeed. I put in that edit about the temps since your comment. Teacas is quite the wild and wooly place.
Oh, thanks for your compliment on my wonderful tent! It is rather luxurious, isn’t it?! 
S’mores, yes — and more! Um maybe the bunch of all us bloggers enjoying camping together would be better than all that!! 
Caity!! Yep, pockets of fun indeed between the agony. Just kidding! Just kidding!! I sure did get lots of exercise packing and hauling and setting up / breaking down and all that! And goign up and down the trail to teh river about 12 times — excellent exercise!
Seriously!
Sean!! Yes, in good light the iPhone gets the point across. No zoom or macron in it, tho. The Droid works well on most planets, I hear, yes.
J.D.!! Yes, camping reminds us that we really need so much less than we have. And allows us to get closer to living in the trees and the stars.
Hilary!! Yep, just me and 100 little kids running around.
Warmth? Yep, got lots of that daytime action to spare for you. Will send in my next letter. Still chilly at night, tho. I think I put in that temp edit after your comment.
Gotta fly!! Jim’s hungry. be back later.
xoxoxo
On 29 March 2010 at 9:00 pm Jannie said,
…
Lynn!! I have a very nice little $5 lantern that operates on 4 AA batteries, with hi, lo, blinking red, and off settings. It is quite lovely for lighting my site, reading by, and finding my way in the wild at night. Yes, these kids remember this forever. Even ones who are long gone from the school often come back for these weekends. They started the tradition over 20 years ago.
Adrenalynn!! Why isn’t it warm up there yet??? I wonder what your latitude is in comparison to that of my parents. We usually have snows there until the end of April. Up at Mom and Dad’s in Canada, I mean to say. Yep, I’m lovin’ a lot of those photos too. One of my top faves is of Kelly atop that beach rock. I have it set as my computer background.
Lance!! I ought have a prize for YOU!! I think you are the first person to mention my new photographic addition to my header!! I did that all by my own self with the PaintShop ProX3 30-day trial I downloaded last week! I’m thinking of either buying that or Photoshop sometime before the leaves tumble to the ground this autumn. Yep!
Lance!!! OMG — that IS wild!!!!!!! Beyond compare!! And once I looked at a clock only twice on one day, and both times it was exaaclty at 11:11! Yep, wild but true. And I love YOUR blog for 952 reasons, starting with… Lance is a very postive influence in the blogosphere!
Talon!! waving back at you!!! you’ll get some wamth soon, very soon, I know!!!! Hang in there, Girl! you already have seen so many lovely signs of spring.
Patricia!! Wow!!! An out-of-house experience! That must’ been a mover and a shaker of an experience! And in the woods I had out house experiences.
Wow! I can’t imagine landscape damage. Our camping trips are all “leave it exactly as you found it.” We love oiur camping area and respect its every fiber. Well… I do agree the smiling camping faces have the hokey-pokey all beat. 
Anonymous!! What can you put in 6 lines? Only every planet and half the Milky Way. Oh, I so agree on MorganFreeman’s v oice! remember Shawshank Redemption. Gol, what a movie!! Seriously? No snow in Washington this season?? Yep, a bonafide pretty-sage camping site. Jsut stay out of the poison ivy woods. And wild goats.
deere glenns.. it’s mee, blue bunny. yes, i did a trick on your kommint, laste time, hee hee. i alweys gets a kikk out of yoo and yor visits and yor pomes and yor supports of my jannie. thanks yoo.
Mama Zen!! It had it’s moments. Many of them good!
gotta fly again!!
xoxo
On 29 March 2010 at 9:22 pm teahouseblossom said,
Yay for camping!! These photos really make me long for the warm weather, and HATE how long this winter in the Northeast has been…
On 29 March 2010 at 9:52 pm cinderkeys said,
I’m an indoorbody for the most part, but you make camping look pretty fun …
On 29 March 2010 at 10:46 pm karyn and barky said,
I can’t believe you didn’t freak out with her in that tree. I’m so not looking forward to seeing my nephews and nieces climb things… talk about scary.
I loved the pictures. I hope you can find reasons to post a few more and tell some tales.
On 29 March 2010 at 11:27 pm Ching Ya said,
You are full of fun, Jannie. I know I’ve been MIA for awhile but glad I made it here today.
So I went and had a glimpse of the Penguin March & a cute video of yourself — now we do love candid cameras, do we? ha.. Glad you’re having a great time with your life, family. Enjoying every bit of it and share them with us. I felt like been there myself from all the snapshots, thanks to you. 
Take care! *hugs*
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
On 30 March 2010 at 2:04 am Jingle said,
wild fun,
beautifully done!
xo
On 30 March 2010 at 3:22 am SnaggleTooth said,
Looks like alot of quality camping experience in sleepy action!
I used to tent, go sleepless, climb trees, n paddle in the old days as a scout myself.
I used to cook over a fire tho. Hate those little propane stoves- once a picnic table went up in flames from one- now I’m a charcoal bbq-er!
Did you bring your guitar for the sing-along?
On 30 March 2010 at 7:06 am Jannie said,
…
Susan!! Hey, I never thought of the camp stove that way, but I guess you’re right!
It is pretty wimpy, but maybe not quite as wimpy as it could’ve been because I had forgotten it’s rack, or whatever you call that thing to set the pots on above the flame. Yep twice a year the whole school goes, or most of it. It’s a small school, tho, only 120 students.
William!! I don’t think you’d be jealous of our summers of 3 months solid of temps close to 100 each day! Would you?
Weyrd1!! We went on the Guadalupe once and the water was COLD even in mid summer. Fun, tho! We should take anohher trip soon. Kelly’s never been tubing on a non-man-made river.
Ana!! Wow, a sweat lodge and hand-making your own — that would be great. I’ve never been to one of those. Hopefully you got a lot out of the experience? A positive one! I’ve never been. I can only last about 10 minutes in a sauna. :0 Not sure how I’d do in a sweat lodge.
Paige!! Did you smell all the s’mores too? And the burning stench of childrens’ eyebrows??
Yeah, that one pix split up my fingers over the stones, I had to do a double-take of my real hand to make sure I hadn’t morphed in the camping night into some strange being. I mean “stranger” being! 
bb was fine when we got back, he was building a log cabin out of drinking straws!
Ll Cool Joe!! I hadn’t camped until I was a kid until Kelly started this school. And that was my 6th camping session with her! It’s got it’s high points, but i do appreciate being back with solid walls, running water, dish washer, over, fridge,etc!
Sheila!! I put in that little edit at the very end to say that I was not really chaperoning, as such. Each family comes on their own. But still – it was a lot of work. But Kelly lives for these events — she will talk about the next one for the next 6 months!!
No, but seriously, she will count down the days. Ahh, thanks on the great mom things, always nice to hear.
Gotta fly again!
xoxox
On 30 March 2010 at 7:50 am Daisy said,
Oh what a fun weekend! I bet the kids had a great time even if they did miss out on a little sleep. Sounds like you had great weather for it too.
On 30 March 2010 at 8:03 am Nadia - Happy Lotus said,
Hi Jannie,
That looked like a fun camping trip. It seemed like you all had a blast. I love the pics of the river.
I have to tell you, Jannie, I am not a fan of camping but you made it look nice with your pictures. Maybe I just went camping with the wrong people?
On 30 March 2010 at 9:45 am Jewel/Pink Ink said,
How fun, Jannie!! Simple but perfect. And you have warm enough weather to float a river? Lucky you!
On 30 March 2010 at 10:10 am Jannie said,
..
Whoo-Hoo!!
Jaymie!! How old are your boys now?? If’n ya don’t mind me prying??
CINDY!!!! OH. MY. GOD. YOUR NEW BABY GIRL IS HERE!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t watit to catch a peek at her. I know some of the peeps bring their little babies camping, just don’t do it alone! NOt taht you would, but camping I find is a lot of WORK.
Vered! I actually have gotten quite used to sleeping in the tent. My air matress had a slow leak, tho. That was not the funnest part, I think it put my left shoulder out. Im serious!!
Teahouseblossom!! Hang in there, you are so just around the corner for sunshine on your shoulders!
Cinderkeys!! I love my indoors time too, like now, sun tumbling in the window (glass needs seriosu washing.) Feet up on footstool. Butt on sofa.
Coffee on end table. If I didn’t have to get up to have a pee 
— this would be sheer heaven.
Karyn!! And BARKS!!! Kelly as climbed since she was less than 7 months old — up the 3 steps into the kitchen. That’s “just her way.” I am eternally freaked out, yes. But she’s pretty good at it, and we only let her get up so high. More pix?? You know it!!! Of this weekend and many many more days to come!!
CHING YA!!!! You and your sunny sweet face are often on my mind!! Always a joy to see you here and read your sweet comments. Bet you were not planning on having a mini-camping vacation this morning, eh!? The power and beauty of the Internet is astounding!!
Jingle!! Thanks, sweet Jingle!! Wish you were still in Austin so you could join us camping next time!!! It will be in early October, probably.
Snaggle!! Geez — a picnic table going up in flames!? Definitely NOT GOOD!! So far, with 6 trips and that little stove no mishaps for me. I love charcoal cooked food, in fact I’m planning ongrilling steaks with coals tonihgt! I did bring my guitar, yes! But did not join the singers this time, I sat enjoying the show with hubs by firelight. But I did sing, for sure.
Daisy!! It was pretty-much ideal weather — a bit cold at night but I had a heavy sleeping bag, and 2 blankets, plus cozy sweatsuit, of course! Beautiful memories forever on these trips, that’s for sure!!
Nadia!! I set that one of Kelly atop teh river rock as my sesktop background — my fave, love the composition of it.
A good time had by all. Wild and free in the semi-winlerness! I can tell you this… camp with our tribe and you will for sure be with the RIGHT people every time. 
Jewel!! JEWEL!! You’ve3 been on my mind, sweet lady. Hoping you and yours are all doing fine. Yep, Texas is warming up. That water was freaking COLD, tho. I only went in up to my knees.
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo
On 30 March 2010 at 1:28 pm Tess The Bold Life said,
These are moments in time you’ll remember while sittin in your rockin chair at the age of 80 with no bra on and drinkin beer and sippin wine.
On 31 March 2010 at 3:37 am Evelyn Lim said,
Oh wow….I wish I can go camping again some day! Your pictures are so much fun! Thanks for reminding me to step outside.
On 31 March 2010 at 12:56 pm Jingle said,
yes,
i would love to join you if I am still in Texas!
amazing size of fun!
On 31 March 2010 at 3:08 pm Jannie said,
…
Tess!! You mean my rocket-fuel jet propelled rocking chair?? The one that will send me flying off to Paris and Rome??
Evelyn!! Looking at this post today, I too am reminded to step outside, and away from this computer. I hope you get to do all the camping your dreams desire!!
Jingle!! Well, maybe I will see you in Oklahoma? Are you planning on living there for a long time?
xoxoxo
On 3 April 2010 at 10:11 am vikum said,
Jannie,
whoo hooo! This is great! No doubt that you’ve had a great time there. I too wanna be there, camping. I’ve never been
On 3 April 2010 at 10:32 am Jannie said,
…
Vikum!! Hey, come on over to Texas and I’ll take you there. Or set up a tent in your back yard! Everybody needs to go camping at least once!!
xoxo