Thursday, July 5, 2012

Our Fourth of July Stay-cation: Part II

Back again after another fun day of Cox Family stay-cationing! If you missed our first post from yesterday, go back and check it out! And don't forget Kaki's birthday party... it's has been a big week in the blog world!!  It is a rarity to have a daily blog post from us these days... I know there are several Grandmas, Grams and Aunt Kays who will be REALLY excited!! :)

Okay... so Part II is not much different from Part I... Hiking...adventuring...EATING... and now resting! Day 1 we took the country by storm and today we hit the BIG CITY and headed into Austin to visit McKinney Falls State Park... it is a GORGEOUS State Park almost smack dab in the middle of the city... crazy!

As we were on the way this morning Caden asked, "Are we going on vacation AGAIN today?" 

Here we are...


All packed up and ready to go... again... :)


Cade-man next to all of the rules and regs of the park!! Whoo hoo!!


The park is covered in gray limestone... it reminded me of the pictures I've seen of the surface of the moon, so I told Caden that essentially we were "moon walking" today... pretty neat stuff!


Our first hike led us to the Lower Falls... gorgeous... the rock was EVERYWHERE and made for the perfect backdrop!


Caden was READY to feel that water... it was cool but not cold... 


Then we set off to find some of the ruins on the grounds... remnants of buildings that were built in the early 1800s... it was getting a bit hot so we stopped for a potty break for Mommy and a snack break for the rest of the crew! :)


Sweet Kaki-girl!! Always along for the ride...


We found a swing along the way and took a quick whirl...


We found it... whoo hoo!! We forgot our map in the car so we were a little unsure of just how far it was... needless to say the sun was rising high in the sky and our little man who had been running the majority of the trail was getting a bit tired...


So we headed back to the car and decided to drive up the park to the Upper Falls and put our feet in for a spell and relax!! It was GREAT! Highlight of the hike for sure... we were all hot, sweaty and tired from our morning jaunt!


Caden in a crater... 


The top of the falls... isn't it gorgeous?! God sure does have a knack for landscaping doesn't he?!


Let's get these shoes off and get in the water!! I was ready!! And so was Caden!!


Kaki on the rock before she got out to join us!


Daddy's thumb... and Caden and I... cooling off! :)


The three stooges... 


Kaki was ready to dive head-first into the waterfall... she was loving it! Kicking and splashing!


So we obliged her and let her "get-in"


And Caden too...


After we were done cooling off in the falls we headed out of the park and back into town to eat at one of our Austin favorites... Matt's!! SO YUM!


The sign pic...


And a trip into Austin is never complete without a visit to Hey Cupcake... I am not a huge fan... I am more of a Tiff's Treats kind of girl but the boys won today... :)


Double Dose of chocolate for Caden!


Lemon for Kaki and I... 


The Chade on SoCo! 


We took the scenic route home through downtown...


And there you have it!

Our Fourth of July Stay-cation over and out!

Can't wait to do it again soon!! We love you, Central Texas!!

1 comment:

KK said...

Very cool. Such a pretty spot. Ya never know whats right in your backyard do ya?