Priceless Pleasures of a Simple Road Trip
Blessed day, as it is, the Easter memory that I always enjoy recalling involves a special Easter egg hunt at Bastrop State Park.
Mom asked if we wanted to go on an Easter egg hunt. What kid says “no” to that? Even though we fully expected that a hunt would be in our plans that Sunday, we were jumping for joy, as if it were a surprise. I was already imagining (and salivating over) the kind of treats we’d find hidden inside the eggs. Mom is very creative!
As we rode along –– empty baskets guarded carefully on our laps –– time passed and eventually we started chiming in with “Are we there yet?” We were still clinging to our excitement of the hunt, but a little put out that we still hadn’t reached our destination.
It turns out Mom thought it’d be nice to do the Easter egg hunt at Bastrop State Park. Did I mention we were living in Houston?
What a blast we had, though, and what a great idea Mom had! After nabbing the hidden eggs, we just enjoyed the park, and the picnic mom had prepared for us. I absorbed, as much as I could, this rare sight of fresh air and greenery in such a vast amount of space. This atmosphere was as much a treat to me as the one time I had seen snow (at the time). I remember how beautiful this was to me and the sound of pine needles crunching underfoot. I remember the CCC cabin, too.
Ever the rockhound, I found a rock that I thought was utterly fabulous and brought it home. I have it still. It’s special because it reminds me of that perfect day. Anytime I visit or drive past Bastrop State Park, that memory resurfaces.
As an adult, I still appreciate Bastrop State Park and its beautiful trails. I also now better appreciate that my widowed mom made time –– though I can’t imagine how she found it (or the energy) –– to do this for us four kids.
The deep-seeded pleasure and the lasting fond memory of this road trip is true testament that one can never forget the value of a simple road trip and quality family time.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Alas, while it was refreshing to see a post about enjoying nature – it should be noted that state parks are "take only pictures, leave only footprints" and rock nabbing is not on that list
April 1st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
You are completely right.
As mom would sometimes say, "Do as I say, not as I do." So, people. Don’t take rocks away from the park. 
Those signs didn’t exist when I went 30+ years ago, so I don’t think I broke any rules, but maybe they found it necessary to put it up after I left. 
Seriously, though … thanks for making that very important point. For those who missed it: "TAKE ONLY PICTURES. LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS."
On a related note: I just read today that the Forest Inventory and Analysis initial report shows Texas has 60 million acres of forestland — more than any other state in the continental United States. Of that, 12 million is located in the Piney Woods of East Texas with the remaining acreage spread across the state.
Also, that the Texas Forest Service is recognized as the leading state forestry agency in the nation through its programs in forest and tree development; wildfire prevention, mitigation and protection; urban and community forestry and assisting and training fire departments.
That’s pretty impressive.
April 17th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I remember wonderful family trips from 50 years ago. We only seemed to go 2 places from our home in Austin: to Corpus to visit relatives, and to Bastrop. Oh, what a long trip it was but then we had the “cabin” which I believe was just a screened shelter, the unbelievable pine trees and the “mountains.” For years, a photograph I have always displayed is a picture (black & white and faded of course) of my 7-year-old self and my 4-year-old brother at Bastrop State Park. Also, my Girl Scout troop often did our weekend camping trips in the area. Is the big stone picnic/camping structure still in Bastrop or Buescher SP? And agate collecting was a prime focus of those weekends. I’m sure there were no “take no rocks” signs then.
Bastrop/Smithville was magic to me throughout my life. No surprise that I now live in the mountains of Colorado and even less of a surprise that my husband and I are the fortunate owners of 5 acres of land situated between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. Does life get any better than that?
April 20th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Isn’t it amazing how one place can create so many wonderful memories for so many people? That’s one good reason to keep these treasured places intact for generations to come. As for your property, you are correct: Life does not get any better than that. How exciting to have your own piece of that beauty. I’m sure you’re a good ward of the land and making the most of it … and that makes ME happy!
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Forestry Magazine… shares this blog on their site.
[...] Also, that the Texas Forest Service is recognized as the leading state forestry agency in the nation through its programs in forest and tree development; wildfire prevention, mitigation and protection; urban and community forestry and … [...]…