Gone for the Holiday

There's nothing I love better than looking for out of the ordinary places to visit. Big Daddy and I talked about leaving town for Labor Day. He suggested the coast. I was like "Yeah, us and 2.3 million other people." (I don't do crowds.) That and the prices are crazy during tourist season. So I suggested Big Bend State Park. Big Daddy was like "ok"... I did some online research to check for a hotel, what to bring, etc. Then I realized, Big Bend is in the desert and I'm already hot enough here at home (its been over 100 degrees for most of the last 2 months), that and I don't feel like carrying my recommended 5 gallons of water and little princess'.

Now what?

Enter Krause Springs, a private park (as opposed to a city, state or national park), only 2 hours away, small enough that most people have never heard of it. Its a camp site with 23 natural springs that feed a swimming pool that overflows to a waterfall that falls into a natural swimming hole and creek, all beautifully landscaped with plenty of picnic tables, grills, a butterfly garden, and 2 windchimes that are like 12 feet long. The springs keep the the water temperature a constant 72 degrees and are not affected by the year long draught that is keeping us from swimming in the lakes and rivers due to low water and high bacteria.

Here's Labor Day paradise:

The spring feed pool overflows to a waterfall.

There is a rope swing and a small cave under the waterfall.

This last pic is shot from the top of the waterfall looking down into the natural swimming hole.