Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro was so pretty (for the amount I got to see), but this trip was BY FAR the worst, but enjoyable trip Robert has ever taken me on to date. 

It’s early December in Texas. I still sleep on the ground while we camp because I haven't boughten a sleeping pad yet (unlike Robert) and for this trip I specifically purchased a warmer sleeping bag, wool socks, thermal underwear, etc. I got the works to help me stay warm. Do you think I stayed warm? Absolutely not. 

Our first night and it got to 14 degrees. My sleeping bag lowest possible comfortable temp it recommends to sleep in is 30 degrees. I’m pretty sure one of my ovaries froze. 

Here was our freezing weekend getaway home

That cable leading into the tent is an electric heater I purchased at Walmart after the 14 degree night. Do you think I ever got to feel that fucking heater on this trip? No. Robert also had a small portable propane heater that he had on during the night.

Let me tell you that Robert becomes the Great Wall of Robert at night. He is a massive 6′3″ 220+ pound man, and he creates a wall. He slept comfortable, while I was literally shivering to death on my side of the tent. Do you think he traded places with me so I can sleep in front of both heaters? No.

Roberts sound advice was, “Don’t worry hunny, it’ll warm up over there eventually.” Do you think it ever fucking warmed up “over there?”... NO.
This fucker collected the heat for himself. No fucking wonder he slept perfectly fine. HE HAD TWO FUCKING HEATERS ON HIM IN HIS ZERO DEGREE SLEEPING BAG. THIS SELFISH PRICK OF MINE.

Anyways..

Breakfast was a first for me. I had my very first burrito AND it turned out to be a breakfast burrito!  

At some point between my shivering and having to actually check in with the park since we got there late we saw a herd of wild turkeys. (Yes I know they are not called herds, but I say it because I know it bothers Robert, ha-ha).

While we were checking in I told Robert that there was in fact a deer in the front lawn. He did not believe me, until he actually looked, and because there was deer he decided he needed to photograph it.

Aren’t they super cute and colorful?

The sun finally came out, I was somewhat decently warm after taking a hot shower at the restrooms, and we decided we’d finally go on a hike. Robert has already chosen the path we were going to hike (as usual) and it was towards the Lighthouse.

Enjoy our adventure photos from the hike!

Finally we got to the end of the trail, but it didn’t lead to the “lighthouse” that robert wanted to actually see. So I went on a little adventure and found the not so subtle fake pass up the mountain to get to the lighthouse. 

It was funny watching him have to climb and be an adventurer. If he was going to drag me out to this fucking cold place to get photos, then I was going to make him work for his bloody photos.

It was absolutely breathtaking when you got to the top. 

We did, in fact, finally make it to the Lighthouse!

I was going mad (photo above clearly shows), and after he spent a good ten minutes taking photos he decided he was done, and it was time to make our trek back to our “home”.

When we got back home the sun was already setting and the cold, unwanted temperature was returning. I convinced Robert to let me eat in a warm place so we actually went out of the State Park for dinner and ate at a nice, but kinda pricey place, called  Feldmans Wrongway Diner. 

It was so delicious. The cheese fries alone were so freakin’ worth it. I got to make a special request and had my food turned into like steak fajitas. You know me - protein and veggies please. 

The next morning we packed up and headed home before the sun was up. I think Robert was tired of me being cold (STILL did not complain, just shivering to death).

December 8 - 10, 2016

Caprock Canyon State Park

Our real first camping trip finally began! Robert took me to one of his favorite camping places, Caprock Canyon State Park (most will always be Texas State Parks)!

Now this was the first time he was actually taking me someplace for more than a nights stay. Also this would be the first time I would be staying in a tent that wasn’t on the ground. That’s right - rooftop tenting. 

This was our kickass weekend home:

Robert also bought a trasharoo for this trip. The trasharoo is the backpack looking thing on the back of Robert’s spare tire. You put a trash bag inside and then throw all of your trash into it. That way you don’t have trash spreading across the campsite, and you don’t have to keep up with it. 

Now what makes Caprock Canyon one of the coolest Texas State Parks is that they have the Texas wild bison herd located here. I was going to happy if I saw like one bison, but these fuckers came and stayed next to our camp for our entire stay (and almost blocked us in from leaving).

HOW

FREAKING

BADASS

Anyways you were suppose to say about 50 yards away from them, but we found that somewhat difficult to do since at night (in the pitch black darkness) they literally were staying next to the bathroom doors. They weren’t really scared of cars or humans, and weren’t skittish so it made it a lot easier to move around them when we were walking and or hiking.

Oh also Caprock has wild prairie dogs! 

Anyways... 

Robert brought me out here for another reason: hiking

He wanted to hike a very particular trail to get some good photography shots (not saying this just because I’m the girlfriend - but Robert has some serious talent and he definitely picked it up from his dad).

You don’t understand the struggle that went in to get to this bloody trail starting point. Not only did we have to walk down an extremely steep, low-grade mini mountain, but we also had to climb up it’s twin to get to this peak. I was physically fine and not bothered by the extreme stress this hiking up and down peaks took on my kneecaps, but Robert on the other hand had a difficult time. He also kept getting cramps so we’d walk about 20 feet and then he’d have to stop and take a break, BUT eventually we got to the trail.

Here are the photos captured on the Eagle Pt. Trail 

20,000 steps and like 3.5/4 hours later we finally made it back to our campsite. It didn’t take long for the sun to start setting after our big “adventure” and the sky was just beautiful. Robert started cooking our dinner - chili. This was the first time I had ever eaten’ chili, and after this trip, I don’t mind eating it even at home.

After a good night's sleep, and the sometimes murmuring sound of the bison nearby it was eventually time to get back up. We packed up camp and headed home. This was by far an excellent trip, and one that I will always remember.

October 27 - 29, 2016