Our recent trip to Pedernales Falls State Park was not only relaxing but full of scenic views and cooler temperatures. This was a 5 day trip for us since we were needing to take a few vacation days before the end of the year.
So we took off on a Thursday and didn't plan on returning until the following Monday. One of our longer trips in this RV so far.
The temperatures were starting to drop and the weather was promising to be perfect. Our only concern was that there might be a burn ban in effect by the time we arrived. Luckily we didn't have one inside the park and were able to enjoy a crackling fire in the evenings.
The 4 Hour Trip to Johnson City, Texas
It takes just a little under 4 hours to get to Johnson City from our home in Houston. We loaded up our truck with a cooler full of food and another one full of beverages.
After loading Indiana (our dog) into his crate, we set off to the place where we store our RV. We made a quick hook-up (less than 10 minutes) and we were off.
Since we were leaving on a Thursday morning, the traffic was minimal and made the trip easy and enjoyable. We've left on Fridays before and that is no fun at all.
Instead of stopping at one of the many Bucee's along the way this time, we decided to just grab a few tacos from the Bell in Giddings.
No Burn Ban
On the way to the park, we noticed that the county had issued a Burn Ban. There were signs posted along the road stating this. So we were fairly certain that we would not be able to have any fires that weekend.
But once we arrived at the headquarters to check in, they informed us that while the county had issued the ban, the park had not yet decided. So we were okayed to have a campfire as long as the signs within the park didn't change to “No Fires.”
This was good news, however we both assumed that the ban would be issued at any given moment. Luckily, it never was issued and we even enjoyed a morning campfire the day we were to leave.
It turned out that we got pretty lucky with our particular site, because we didn't have to do any leveling. But most of the other sites around us were extremely un-level.
The views from our campsite were amazing and we were able to catch several beautiful sunrises over the hill country landscape.
The Menu
Since the temperatures had finally started to chill out a bit, I was able to make a few more hearty meals. I was so ready because I had honestly had enough of the summer and it's never ending heat waves.
For breakfasts this trip, we had some of our standby's like potato, egg and cheese breakfast tacos as well as breakfast sandwiches and cinnamon rolls.
And one morning I made cheddar cheese grits with a lovely poached egg on top and served with sausage links. It was magical.
The lunches I made were relatively easy and not very time consuming. I made a simple meatball sub one day and the other I made lobster mac and cheese. And one day we drove into nearby Fredricksburg for Oktoberfest, so our lunch consisted of incredible German food and beer.
Our dinners were a bit more extreme, but that's what I love to do. Friday we had a Ramen Pork Stir Fry.
And since the weather was a bit cooler, we had to have the seasons first Tamale Chili Pie with a side of Cornbread.
We also had a whole rabbit chilling in the freezer that our neighbor gave us (they raised rabbits in their backyard), so I decided to make a Beer Braised Rabbit with mashed potatoes. This was phenomenal.
The Weather
As I mentioned before, this trip was taken at the very beginning of the Fall season. So the temps were much better than they had been.
The mornings where a bit chilly in the 50s and the temps really only got to about low 80s during the day. This was fine because I love waking up to a bit of a chill in the air.
There was absolutely no rain all weekend. In fact, the skies were completely clear until the very last day, when the clouds started to roll in gently.
Activities and Adventures
Pedernales Falls State Park has tons of amazing trails that traverse the beautiful terrain. We hiked 2 trails, one with the dog and one without.
The first trail was the Pedernales Falls trail that leads to the falls 2 miles above the designated swimming area. The 2nd trail we hiked (Twin Falls Trail) was a bit more treacherous, but opened up to some beautiful views.
One of the reasons we decided to book at camping trip to Pedernales Falls was because Oktoberfest was going on that same weekend nearby.
So we spent one afternoon driving through the Texas wine country to the town of Fredericksburg. We enjoyed some awesome German food and tasty German beer while listening to the sounds of German oompah music. If you are ever in the area, be sure to check it out.
Hi…I have a question that you can hopefully help us with regarding Pedernales Falls State Park. My family will be traveling through Texas, and Pedernales Falls State Park was a stop that interested us, as it was on our planned route, but the Burn Ban you mentioned puzzled me.
Can you please explain the difference between a “Burn Ban” and a “No Fires” warning?
Thank you for being so helpful…we want to be prepared and plan accordingly.
-Mike
Well the terms are kind of used interchangeably… at least by people like me. I’m sure there is an official definition of each, but in reality it just means no wood burning or ash producing fires. I’ve been some places where charcoal fires (in a contained grill) are ok and other places they are banned as well. It just depends on the county and I guess the severity of the conditions.
I love travelling and camping and everyone knows the climax of the camping experience is always the camp fire. I have definitely gone camping for more than a week and every day comes with it unique experience. Swimming and unlimited campfire has to be on the offing for me though. 🙂 As long as the weather allows, vacations can come anytime for me.
To enjoy trips one ought to cautos of the traffic. Travelling when there is traffic canget you bored enough for you not to enjoy your first night of the vacation. I concur Friday is never a good day.
For me it’s fly fishing and campfires!!
Pedernales Falls State Park seems like a great place to visit and you seemed to enjoy the trip but of course would it have been as much fun if there was a fire ban? Everyone, I know, loves to go into the great outdoors and sit around a burning fire. Maybe that is because, in our modern day and age we don’t often get the opportunity. Grandpa used to complain about having to light a fire to keep warm and in getting up in the middle of the night to stoke the furnace. He was happy when the modern day furnace was invented and he had an electric stove. Maybe, in some ways, deep down, we all crave our roots.
I love this story about your grandpa…. it’s so true. I think camping in general is a way to unplug and return (at least for a little while) to our roots.
Hey thanks for this great post!
It seems like you have a lot of fun, that’s great! I myself enjoy the outdoors however believe it or not haven’t been camping at all but this post has certainly motivated me too get packing!
I enjoyed reading about your holiday, I could almost feel how it is to be there, beautiful scenery too!
Thank you… I’m glad you enjoyed the article. I hope you get a change to get out there and enjoy some camping adventures in the future.