Twice a year a couple of my friends and I, all of us geoscientists, teach geology for Texas Parks and Wildlife Becoming an Outdoors Woman program. Occasionally we auction a hosted trip to Enchanted Rock and wine country near Fredericksburg with proceeds benefiting the Friends of Texas BOW non-profit organization. This is the trip report from last spring’s hosted field trip to Enchanted Rock, Fredericksburg, Grape Creek Vineyards, and Lewis Wines, and follows the condensed geologic overview of what we share with the participants (read Enchanted Rock Geology: For the Casual Observer or Amateur Enthusiast here).
Because Enchanted Rock is about a five hour drive from Houston, hosted field trips are three days to really make our drive worth it. Typically, Friday is when we meet with the participants, set up our campsites, and lecture. Saturday is the big hiking day, weather permitting, of course. And Sunday we pack up camp and head home, stopping at a winery or two for wine tasting and more geology.
On last year’s trip, we drove to Austin on that Thursday evening after work and stayed in a hotel, and then made the rest of the drive early Friday morning so we could pick out the best available campsites (they’re reserved, but sites are first come, first served).
We managed to snag two side-by-side sites and set up camp…to include Fred the Flamingo (a well traveled rose colored gentleman who has partaken in cruise shenanigans in Cozumel, Mexico and Princess Cays, The Bahamas). Fred watched over our campsite and protected us from coyotes, or so he said.
Our campsite was located near the summit trail head and included covered picnic areas, which were great for hanging our hammocks. These trips are great for checking out each other’s camping, cooking, and lounge gear…because that’s how we learn and improve future trips!
This was my new tent’s inaugural trip, so I was very pleased to experience just how beastly the REI Co-op Kingdom 6 (with detachable “Garage”). I think half the group of 8 women slept in the tent with me…plenty of room! See Katy for scale above left, and Jessidee modeling the tent in it’s case above right.
This trip was in the spring, but the weather was cold and variable, so we were happy to break out the cast iron and do some comfort food cooking to warm us up. We enjoyed chicken and vegetable soup, tofu scramble, and berry dump cake. We ate like camping queens!
Knowing we’d have bad weather on Saturday, we squeezed in a short loop hike on Friday afternoon to see the Packsaddle Schist (read Enchanted Rock Geology: For the Casual Observer or Amateur Enthusiast here). The bluebonnets were starting to bloom around the park, so we were very careful not to step on the baby bluebonnets, which were growing everywhere!
During the hike we also enjoyed seeing wheat grass, cacti, and other succulents. I get distracted by plants (I once hijacked my husband’s planned hiking trip at Big Bend National Park because the cacti were blooming and I needed to collect photos of all of them).
On our second hike on Saturday, we were racing a storm rolling in, so we got up super early and began the summit trail just before dawn. We made it to the top just in time to run around like idiots in our T. Rex suits (because geology, obviously) before it started to rain. Don’t worry, we lectured and pointed out geological and mineralogical features along the way (read Enchanted Rock Geology: For the Casual Observer or Amateur Enthusiast here).
Since our hiking was cut short by what would be an all-day rain event, in the cold, we drove to Fredericksburg. We enjoyed a German-Texan lunch at The Auslander (German for outlander) and walked to the Compass Rose tasting room on Main Street for a tasting. Katy and I had visited Compass Rose at their Hye location on 290 on a prior trip, so we were happy to see they also had a tasting room on Main Street (this location is now closed, but the vineyard remains open).
They were so nice and accommodating to our group of unshowered, unmade-up women. I love their logo with its cartographic nod (I make maps for a living, how could I not love it?). We bought some additional wine to take back to the campsite because we knew we were in for a cold night, and we felt like The Conversation would pair well with campside dutch oven chicken soup and…well, conversation.
Sunday we packed up camp and drove back to Fredericksburg for a late breakfast in town before visiting Grape Creek Vineyards, a long visited vineyard that reminds my husband and I of Tuscany. We enjoyed a tasting and short walk around the gift shop and patios. And we briefly lectured the women with us about the local geology (read Enchanted Rock Geology: For the Casual Observer or Amateur Enthusiast here).
After visiting Grape Creek, we had an appointment with Doug Lewis at Lewis Wines. He patiently and generously hosted us through a guided wine tasting and tour of the vineyards. We tasted their 2015 Swim Spot, 2016 Chenin Blanc, 2013 Texas Red Wine, 2012 Texas Tempranillo, and 2013 Lost Draw Mourvedre. Everything was just lovely!
Appreciating the devil in the details, I loved their tasting room’s decor inside and out. From gneiss countertops (on the spot geology lesson for the ladies, of course) to what looked like wine box wood walls, to recycled wine bottle glass “mulch” outside, I loved all the elements.
Doug proudly gave us a special tour of the vineyards, just barely beginning their bud break for the growing season, and also talked about the organic methods they practice (goats, chickens, etc.). We couldn’t help but share in his pride as well. I wish we lived closer, I would love to attend one of the vineyard dinners that they host. Thanks again for the tasting and tour, Doug! What a nice end to a wonderful weekend!
I’m definitely looking forward to returning to Enchanted Rock and Fredericksburg this weekend, despite the 100+ degree temperatures in the forecast. If you haven’t read Enchanted Rock Geology: For the Casual Observer or Amateur Enthusiast already, you should give it a quick look. Don’t worry, it’s not too sciencey.
– Sheila
INSTRUCTORS
Sheila Echols-Smesny holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Sam Houston State University, an Executive MBA from Texas Woman’s University, and works at an oil & gas company in Houston. Red Shoes. Red Wine. is Sheila’s travel, lifestyle, & hobby blog.
Katy Mainwaring holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Texas Tech University and works at an oil & gas company in Houston. Katy teaches geology with Sheila for Texas Parks and Wildlife Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.
Jenni Jackson holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Central Michigan University, a Master of Science in Geology from California State University, Fresno, and works at an oil & gas company in Houston. Jenni teaches geology with Sheila and Katy for Texas Parks and Wildlife Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.
More Geologic Adventures on the Blog:
Geology Basics: For the Casual Observer or Amateur Enthusiast
British Isles Cruise on Royal Princess (Part 2: England, Ireland, Northern Ireland)
Alaskan Cruise: Juneau Part 1 (Mendenhall Glacier)
Alaskan Cruise: Scenic Cruising Tracy Arm Fjord
TPWD Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program
Becoming an Outdoors Woman as an Instructor
Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop: Spring 2016
Visiting Big Bend National Park: Something for Everyone
A Return to Big Bend National Park: Lodge Edition
Skyline Geology: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Houston’s Buildings (City Hall Loop)
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