Saturday we drove out to the hill country to climb up the batholith of an old volcano with the teens in my 14yod Awana Club. Called Enchanted Rock by the Indians and early settlers because of strange spooky noises at night, we now know this is merely a result of this granite hill cooling off at night after  daytime heating. Now, I realize this is merely Texas, and this hill we are climbing is a scant 1825' elevation.  Unlike our hikes in the massive Rocky Mountains, this was a mere 300' elevation climb.  However, have you ever climbed 300' straight up?  The teens take this hill running, whereas my thighs are burning, my lungs are about to bust, my heart is racing...and I must take frequent stops to enjoy the view.  Yes, there is a bit of a view in Texas!

 That pink hill ahead is solid granite...the hill we must climb.

Heading up...

My first of many huffing and puffing breaks...so I took a picture of the view...

Time for another break...see the interesting mushroom shaped rocks?  I think we found one one time that looked like a throne.  But with this group, I have to hurry.  The teens and the dads are out to conquer...

Taking another break to gather air and check out the surroundings...

The Indians used this hill as a vantage point...

Almost to the top...

Finally, the view from the top...

We had to climb down a little bit on the other side to get to the caves under these rocks. The teens spent quite a bit of time climbing and exploring...

These huge lizards were playing all over the rocks too...

Finally, heading down to a hiking trail...

Who picked this hiking trail?  I had an awful time trying to balance (with one balance nerve, weak back and knee) on tons of rocks in a gully.  Thankfully, there was no threat of flash flooding.  I was in a hurry, trying to keep up with those teens!  I did get a shock looking up at the rocks (praying that there'd be no rock slide!)...

Finally, a flat dirt trail.  Although it was easier, it was about an hour around the backside of the hill where we got lost, as always.  But 3 of us adults and my dd beat everyone else to the picnic tables...

After a picnic the group played tag football.  12yos intensely dislikes football.  But when he found out I played a little flag football in jr. high PE, he couldn't be outdone by Mom.  So he played.  I like how the Awana leader of the teen game time (who led the football playing that day) includes everyone.  Even 12yos got a few moments to carry the ball and play quarterback and kick the ball.  He never gets to do that in the lower club!

On the way home, we had to stop because a group of animals was crossing the road.  As all the cars slowed down, I grabbed my camera for a photo op, reminiscent of the times I captured Colorado wildlife on the side of the road with my camera.  This never happens to us in Texas.  What could be up there?

Oh, goats.  Oh well.  Come b-a-a-a-ck soon!