Thanksgiving weekend- Bastrop State Park,Texas

Nitin · 26th November 2007, 22:33

Hmmm..its back to work after 4 days of rest. Another long weekend,and a bunch of us had been contemplating where to go. Ideally a day visit, drive out early morning & return by night.
So we decided to visit Bastrop State park, east of Austin,Texas. 125 miles from Houston,approximately 2.5hrs.
For more info on Bastrop: TPWD: Bastrop State Park

We start off in 3 cars around 8am,and its a smooth drive towards Austin. Beautiful weather,45F and sunny. Quite windy,and everything around looks so pretty. My wife & I had decided to take our little dog along,since it had been a while since the fella had a field trip.

On the way from Houston:

Its cold.... zz..zz...

More pics of the drive to the park

It was quite a pleasent drive, until we stopped at a gas station to get some directions. My brother was driving his 2003 Toyota Corolla SE, and he pulled up next to my Mazda 3. We noticed some smoke coming out from under the hood,and I asked him to pull up in front.
We were in for a shock! He had gotten the car serviced 2 days ago,and turns out the bloke who did the oil change,forgot to place the lid back on. Oil had spluttered all over the place,and that was what was causing the smoke.

We thought that the lid had fallen off somewhere,when luckily one of us spotted it at the bottom of the hood. I managed to tap it onto the ground and after an oil refill, we were back on the road.

Approaching the park:

The lake..

A pic of a bee,on the boot of my car..

My friend had a kite with him,and it was fun trying to get the thing to stay in the air with all the trees around.

Leo found something interesting..I guess..

There are quite a few hiking trails though the woods. Its such a good feeling to be in the midst of nature..
After spending a good couple of hours at the park,we decided to drive to Austin, just 40 mins from the park.

The Capitol,Austin Texas.

Leo again..this time in style!

It had been cloudy for the most part,while we were at the park. Though it was around 45F throughout, it felt more like 38F. The only thing missing was some daaru,to stay warm....
Some misc pics..

Overall,it was a nice trip. We had a good time,and we'll probably plan another trip during the Christmas break.

Enjoy..

TSEA · 27th November 2007, 09:05

Nice Pics Nitin. When I was in Houston (Dairy Ashford), Even I tried to plan a visit to the State Park, but things didn't work out.

Hope you have already seen San Antonio. Also check out the natural Safari Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (you can take your vehicle inside) and the Natural Caverns Welcome To Natural Bridge Caverns Texas . Both are adjacent to each other.

Nitin · 28th November 2007, 01:23

Thanks,TSEA. I've been to SA couple of times,and I love the caves of Natural bridge..
Will try visiting the Wildlife ranch sometime next year..

Rehaan · 28th November 2007, 02:23

Nitin,

Your dog is awesome!

Also that mcdonals shot is very interesting... i can see it with some sort of tagline as an advertisment... (exposure could be altered a bit though)

cya
R

Nitin · 28th November 2007, 04:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Nitin,

Your dog is awesome!

Also that mcdonals shot is very interesting... i can see it with some sort of tagline as an advertisment... (exposure could be altered a bit though)

cya
R

Thanks,R.
The signboard had just McDonalds written under,if I recollect.
My dog's a jack Russell Terrier & Beagle mix. To sum it up.. a strong nose & tonnes of energy!

Rehaan · 28th November 2007, 09:45

Oh, looked pretty much all beagle to me! Beagles are great dogs...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitin

The signboard had just McDonalds written under,if I recollect.

You misunderstood what i meant...
I meant that it could be used in an ad like that... some kinda god-like voice talking about the big-M etc etc

cya
R

Nitin · 28th November 2007, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Oh, looked pretty much all beagle to me! Beagles are great dogs...

You misunderstood what i meant...
I meant that it could be used in an ad like that... some kinda god-like voice talking about the big-M etc etc

cya
R

Hehe..sorry about that! I missed the bus..
Yeah..quite true..now that you mentioned it.cheers:

26th November 2007, 22:33	#1
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Thanksgiving weekend- Bastrop State Park,Texas Hmmm..its back to work after 4 days of rest. Another long weekend,and a bunch of us had been contemplating where to go. Ideally a day visit, drive out early morning & return by night. So we decided to visit Bastrop State park, east of Austin,Texas. 125 miles from Houston,approximately 2.5hrs. For more info on Bastrop: TPWD: Bastrop State Park We start off in 3 cars around 8am,and its a smooth drive towards Austin. Beautiful weather,45F and sunny. Quite windy,and everything around looks so pretty. My wife & I had decided to take our little dog along,since it had been a while since the fella had a field trip. On the way from Houston: Its cold.... zz..zz... More pics of the drive to the park It was quite a pleasent drive, until we stopped at a gas station to get some directions. My brother was driving his 2003 Toyota Corolla SE, and he pulled up next to my Mazda 3. We noticed some smoke coming out from under the hood,and I asked him to pull up in front. We were in for a shock! He had gotten the car serviced 2 days ago,and turns out the bloke who did the oil change,forgot to place the lid back on. Oil had spluttered all over the place,and that was what was causing the smoke. We thought that the lid had fallen off somewhere,when luckily one of us spotted it at the bottom of the hood. I managed to tap it onto the ground and after an oil refill, we were back on the road. Approaching the park: The lake.. A pic of a bee,on the boot of my car.. My friend had a kite with him,and it was fun trying to get the thing to stay in the air with all the trees around. Leo found something interesting..I guess.. There are quite a few hiking trails though the woods. Its such a good feeling to be in the midst of nature.. After spending a good couple of hours at the park,we decided to drive to Austin, just 40 mins from the park. The Capitol,Austin Texas. Leo again..this time in style! It had been cloudy for the most part,while we were at the park. Though it was around 45F throughout, it felt more like 38F. The only thing missing was some daaru,to stay warm.... Some misc pics.. Overall,it was a nice trip. We had a good time,and we'll probably plan another trip during the Christmas break. Enjoy..
	() Thanks

27th November 2007, 09:05	#2
TSEA BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 420 Thanked: 852 Times	Nice Pics Nitin. When I was in Houston (Dairy Ashford), Even I tried to plan a visit to the State Park, but things didn't work out. Hope you have already seen San Antonio. Also check out the natural Safari Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (you can take your vehicle inside) and the Natural Caverns Welcome To Natural Bridge Caverns Texas . Both are adjacent to each other.
	() Thanks

28th November 2007, 01:23	#3
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Thanks,TSEA. I've been to SA couple of times,and I love the caves of Natural bridge.. Will try visiting the Wildlife ranch sometime next year..
	() Thanks

28th November 2007, 02:23	#4
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,046 Thanked: 34,080 Times	Nitin, Your dog is awesome! Also that mcdonals shot is very interesting... i can see it with some sort of tagline as an advertisment... (exposure could be altered a bit though) cya R
	() Thanks