Day 7, July 6, 2011

Corita got up early to ride bikes with Debbie.  Debbie rides 10+ miles daily but on today’s ride she got different exercise.  Since Corita was struggling so much to keep up, Debbie spent most of her time exercising her fingers (braking) and her neck (turning around to see how far behind Corita was).  The scenery was amazing, however, in Texas hill country on a cool summer morning.  We saw deer, a hawk, and other wild life and wild flowers, and the rare stream with water.  Debbie was nice enough to say that the bike had problems (low tire, etc.) so as not to emphasize Corita’s being so out-of-shape.

After breakfast we all piled in to the seven-seater van and went out to explore Enchanted Rock. 

We climbed to the top of the huge rock and then went to look for the caves on the other side. 

We never found what we would call “caves” but we got stuck in some tight places!! 

On the way back down we went the long way to the echo canyon, which was the kids’ first time to experience such a good echo.  They may have been too tired to appreciate it.

We went back to Llano to have lunch with Aunt Winnie and crew.  After lunch Corita and her Aunt Winnie spent a few hours talking, reminiscing, and admiring the jewelry Aunt Winnie made years ago.

The kids were on the verge of a mutiny, as they were anxious to go swimming and tired of watching the old folks talk, so we bade farewell and headed over to the dammed up river in the city of Llano.  Everyone enjoyed the refreshing swim until Corita got bit on the back of the leg by what we think must have been a snapping turtle.  Fortunately, the kids (cousins Rachel and Travis, with Joel and Raquel) weren’t afraid so they kept swimming.

That evening we had a barbecue dinner over at Cousin John’s place.  John and his buddy sang a few tunes and we tried to get in touch with Corita’s brother Nathan (who is out in California) but we were unable.  The kids had to go home before the evening was over because it was getting late.  We had a fun time.  Thanks, John!