Enchanted Rock

We went on a great Cub Scout campout two weekends ago to Enchanted Rock.

Enchanted Rock is a gigantic batholith...basically an enormous rock that formed underground that has been exposed over time by erosion. It is of pink granite (very common in this part of Texas).

When I was in the 5th grade, our class trip was to be to Enchanted Rock, but early that year the state bought the land and they made some renovations and the park was closed for the construction so our trip got cancelled.

I have wanted to go over since.

I finally got my chance. It was wonderful. Well, the hike up the rock wasn't so great...it was over half a mile straight up and it was a very difficult climb, especially with 10 little cubscouts.

I was able to get some great pictures of Texas from high up. These pictures were taken at the top of the rock.

After the hike, we all settled down at the base of the rock to camp. It was a great time!

We saw 2 skunks (they walked right up to our campsite), several squirrels that were the size of large cats, at least 3 feral cats, an entire herd of deer, a big snake sunning himself at the top of the rock, and Bethany woke up one time during the night to see little yellow eyes looking at her through the flap in the tent. We did not get out of the tent to see what it was.

I didn't sleep well. Mostly because I am too old to sleep flat on Texas but also because the rock makes noises.

During the day, the sun heats the rock and it expands. At nighttime, as the granite cools and settles, it makes popping and cracking sounds. I knew this before going to bed, I just had no idea how LOUD the cracking and popping would be. It sounded like gunfire. It was awesome once I figured out that some nutbar wasn't running around shooting.

Bill and I are planning on taking the kids back in the spring without the cubscouts so that we can take our time doing everything and really enjoy the experience.

For now, I'll just have to enjoy my pictures.