Lake Medina TX - The Dry Lake

We stopped here primarily to put us in proximity to San Antonio to visit with Cathy's brother, Bob and his son, Chris and family who live in the San Antonio metro area.

We were here in 2004, our first year on the road, and it was a different place then. I am including photos I took of the lake then and what the same spot looks like today as this area of Texas is seriously affected by drought.

An old fireplace and chimney remain standing near the water's edge within the Thousand Trails property. Here it was in 2004 with a lake full of water behind it.

And here is the same place in March 2014.

Here is another view near a tent camping area with a distinctive oak tree in the foreground taken in 2004.

And the same spot this year!

One of the neat features of this park is the herd of resident deer which this year seemed to have an abundance of bucks strutting their stuff including this 6-point guy!

And this 8-point beauty. This was taken through our windshield directly across from our parking space!

And this, another 8-point specimen.

For the most part the deer are oblivious to human presence, but one doe seemed interested in Dixie on our walks. She would rise up and watch Dixie very closely, even advancing toward her at one point.  Here two younger bucks engaged in typical behavior headbutting in preparation to serious combat in upcoming mating season. 

And Dixie wouldn't hurt a flea!

We met Bob and Chris for Barbecue Lunch on a rainy afternoon near New Braunfels TX.  Kyla, 9 and Caleb, 6 were there too. The name of the BBQ place is Coopers and the food was very good. The old highway sign for someplace named Cooper was above the group for the picture and the reflective sign played havoc with my picture so the men seem to have an aura around them! 

Cathy's cousin Dotty Bogart and her husband Bill were staying in Kerrville TX, about 60 miles from Lake Medina and we met them and Chris and his family there for lunch. Here then are 3 Tebos, Chris, Cathy and Dotty.  Don't know why Chris is so tall!!!

This time, Chris' wife, Jenna accompanied them for the day and we were able to take this family group picture.

Jenna likes James Avery Jewelry and they stopped at a factory complex near Kerrville for a look, but I don't think anybody bought anything.  Kyla and Caleb had a great time playing around the fountain at the entrance to the factory store.

One last look at Medina Lake in 2004. It was originally built in 1912 as an irrigation project to benefit local farming activity.  Today cattle are grazing in the bottom of this area formerly covered in water.  Locals say the lake has gone dry cyclically and will fill again.  Meantime "lakefront properties" are at bargain prices!