Part 1: I am at the computer keyboard today, January 20, having just witnessed the peaceful transition of American power from Donald Trump and his cadre of posses to Joe Biden and his alliance of the New America. The New America on this day is made up of all the good and great elements of the past America, including its founding principles, but without the awful racism, pernicious greed, and sedition that has plagued the country since its inception. It is made up of all the new hope that our nation can muster. There are more people of color in the new government than there ever has been. We have a women as our Vice-President...a woman of color, Kamala Harris. Joe Biden, who is the bridge between the old and new America, has assembled a cabinet as diverse as the country itself, making good on his promise to do so.
Oh, these dour, dank, and dangerous elements of our society remain, make no mistake. They seemingly will always haunt the dark corners of our nation’s nervous system, like a centuries old Covid pandemic. Like Covid, the symptoms have ravaged our society in recent years, because they have been allowed to, even encouraged, by mind-shapers with psychopathic souls who managed to bring out the worst in all of us. They rose up like repeating fevers and seemingly no medicine could tamp them down. Even as late as January 6th of this very year domestic terrorists, educated and diploma-ed, by Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and more evil people than can fit onto this paper, tried to overthrow our government and turn our nation into one run by Autocrats and a dictator. I had not felt this worried, frightened even, since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 when as a kid I felt that the world would be burned to a crisp and desolated by H – Bombs. Yes, the Racists and Haters will inhabit our basement recesses like a semi-dormant Covid virus for years to come, waiting patiently for our collective immune system to wear down. But, today the nation writ large banished them, declared war on their kind and their lies, and welcomed the light back into our lives and those who will lead us. Today, there is hope. Today there is light. I pray, and I’m sure most of the nation does as well, that some of the promise of today does not fall on barren, rocky soil. I pray their purpose finds fertile purchase.
The event itself today was the most positive and hope-filled inauguration that I have witnessed in my 69 years of living. The new President’s words were marvelous and his strong intent to reconcile us communicated just as strongly through the television as I’m sure it did in person. From Lady Gaga’s performance of the National Anthem and Jennifer Lopez’ performance of “This land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” I shed tears, tears for the past and tears for the future all mixed together. The Inauguration Concert was so inspiring, the music so creative and fresh. Three past presidents spoke together as a team: Bush, Obama, Clinton, You could not help but be struck by their unity, the foundational spirit of the day. The fireworks at the end surely expended every known lick of gunpowder in the nation. I’ve never witnessed such a display, albiet on televsion.
But, the highlight of the day was from the diminutive, yet larger than life personage of our newest National Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman. Her reading, her poem, was magnificent in its vision, inspiring in its words, beaming and brimming with confidence in its delivery. I can’t help but think that everyone who witnessed her deliver, her poem, was stunned, barely believing their ears and eyes. Yes, I say eyes, as she eloquently used her hands to evoke her meanings and their poetic flow. She used her dress and style to fashion her points. How could a barely 22-year old inspire us so? How could she have lived long enough to evoke the emotions and wisdom she gave us? Is she “channeling” the nation’s visionaries from the past or is she a new genius born to help usher in a new age? She seems the embodiment of both. She appears as the Future. I’m certain that the harpies of negativity will soon begin their incessant pecking once again, intent on destruction, intent on fouling the current fresh fragrance of optimism, intent upon dividing and conquering our souls. But, today I am hopeful again. I see light. I am hopeful again.
Part 2: The Hill Country of Texas has so much opportunity for exploring natural wonders. Small towns dot the limestone landscape, usually with charming old “downtown streets” and town squares. Small boutique specialty shops flourish within 100 year old architecture of native stone. State Parks conserve sections of the best landscape and are all within easy driving distance of one another. One of the furthest from our current camp hosting location at 2 ½ hours drive each way is called Garner State Park. Though very small, Garner captures a beautiful section of the Frio River as it cuts through the stone edifice of the surrounding plateau. The river runs cold year round ( hence the name, Frio) and is a regional favorite of locals during the heat of summer. I’m told it can become extremely crowded at that time, though while we were here on a weekday in mid-January it was quiet and peaceful. They have a small dam within the park that creates a kind of swimming hole with the cool, clear water. Cypress trees line the banks like a natural Gothic cathedral. The day we visited the water featured a green tint, unique and beautiful. With rainfall and the resultant periodic rising of the water that flushes out the moss being at a low ebb these days, algae and moss have taken advantage of the still water. Thus, the slight tint of green. The region immediately surround this area seems to me to be an old caldera. It’s appears that you’re in the middle of a large and long dormant volcano. I’m not sure about this presumption, but it sure appears that way to me.
Another sure-fire cooling off spot for folks in this area is Inks Lake State Park. This park lies about an hour northwest of us here at Pedernales Falls. We actually secured a camp hosting job here for March and April of this year as we decided to try and stay two extra months to help Suni and Dane during the pandemic. I don’t know how much help we actually are for them in watching the kids, but we try to take a load off their plate as often as possible. Inks Lake is another beautiful spot with boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities galore. We drove around the Park and met the Supervisor to whom we would report, a nice and very accommodating individual. As in Garner, this Park is exceedingly packed and crowded during the warmer months. It might be too crowded for us to host here. Massive crowds do not offset the opportunity for camp hosting for us. Visiting the Park for a few days would be ideal...for anyone, anytime. Camp hosting for a couple of months, however, may be more hectic that we would like.
Similarly, Buescher State Park, located just outside southwestern Austin, is a haven for the capitol populace on weekends. We could camp host here as well, but the relative tightness of the camp ground coupled with the mighty crowds of Spring override our desire to host here even though it is within 45 minutes of our daughter’s family. There used to be a 9 hole golf course within the Park, but it has closed now. Again, Buescher is a very nice place to spend a few days. Hiking here could be good as well, though we haven’t tried that here yet.
Diane and I took a drive to downtown Austin on Sunday, the 17th of January simply to check it out. It was relatively quiet, though throngs of young folks had gathered in the fields adjacent to Barton Springs. Frisbees and soccer balls flew everywhere with strong intent and the mixed aromas of a thousand picnics scented the atmosphere. Barton Springs itself was quiet, though a few polar bear types plowed through the pool stroking their way to a healthy day. WAY too cold for us. Barton Springs has been an uber-popular spot for locals to cool off during the hot months of summer for seemingly forever. I took some photos and sent them to my buddy, Bob Breidenbach. He was here in 1976 and always told me how wonderful the spot was. I was glad to hear from him that the Springs had not changed much since his days here. Diane and I vowed to get wet here in March when it warms up a little. By the way, at this writing it’s still free and open to the public.
We drove by the Texas capital building as well. Whew, she’s a big one...As big and tall and broad as the state itself. The Capitol sits in a park-like setting in a very nice section of downtown Austin. We parked our Jeep and walked around a bit and took in the sights and sounds of the place. It being Sunday, the 17th, rumored gatherings of proponents of the Big Lie were a possibility. Those terrorists who tried to take over the Nations’ Capitol vowed to return to Washington as well as State Capitols across the nation on this day. Would we see confrontations? Would there be a battle here in Texas? Naw...As it turned out there were news people aplenty waiting for action but only one camera-hungry vigilante militia - type showed up in full body armor, He mugged for any and all cameras like Mickey would at Disneyland.
It’s easy to see why so many folks are coming to Austin to live now. It seems so easy-going, open, and young at heart. Time will tell, I suppose, if it can retain that charm over the coming years as its population and popularity continues to swell. Now...is certainly the time to be here.