Junction & South Llano State Park: TexasApril 23 and 24, 2007. We are staying in Junction at South Llano State Park. Water & 30-amps $15 plus $2 each for park entry fee. Located 5-miles south of Junction on the South Llano River. We like to stay here for the wildlife and birding. We started our day in Kerrville when we connected the Saturn to our motorhome and headed west to Junction a journey of only 60-miles or so. Junction is one of our favorite Hill Country towns. There are so many things we like about Junction. We will share some of them with you.
We turn off I-10 east of Junction at exit 460 onto SR-481 loop. Big Grade east of Junction, TX on SR-481 loop
This picture is taken on the SR-481 loop less than 2-miles from downtown Junction. As you can see we are at the top of a mountain (as in Hill Country) and the steep grade is heading down to the South Llano River and the bridge to Junction.
View from Big Grade east of Junction, TX on SR-481 loop
After rounding the bend in SR-481 we can see the city of Junction on the far side of that bridge. Note that we are still falling off that mountain on a pretty good grade.
Bridge over South Llano River at Junction, Texas on SR-481
Driving the motorhome across this old bridge is easier than it may look. The bridge is actually wider than it looks. On the far side of the bridge is Junction. RV'ers are welcome to overnight in the city park on the north western side of this bridge and many take advantage of Junctions hospitality.
Rivercut on east side of South Llano River at Junction, Texas
When looking east from the South Llano River in Juntion you can see this impressive river cut. The highway we entered Junction on and the highway in the pictures above is to the left of this river cut.
Large rock in Junction City Park on east side of South Llano River
Site of 1908 Confederate Veterans Reunion
The historical sign to the right explains the signifigance of this large rock in the Junction City Park (on the east side of the South Llano River) and across from the City Park in Juntion proper. This is a pretty neat historical sign. If it weren't for signs such as this we would not know about reunions such as this. If you haven't done it make sure that you read the historical sign on the right above.
Hunting stands on sale in Junction, Texas
The economy in Junction revolves around the hunting industry. Some of the hunting revolves around native game like white tail deer and turkey but hunting them is limited to special hunting seasons. The real business end of this industry revolves around hunting exotic game and it is big business since big game (exotics) are treated as livestock (because they are non-native). The hunting industry is a 12-month industry in these parts. Hunting stands like these fill the parking lot at the local hardware store. These look like NICE hunt stands to me, how about you. I guess if you are going to spend upwards of $3,000 to $10,000 on a hunt you deserve a nice comfortable place to hunt from.
Cooper's Bar-B-Q in Junction, Texas
If you keep going through Junction on the SR-481 loop you will intersect with I-10 on the west side of Junction at exit-456. Exit-456 in Junction is noted as the place to get your BBQ fix. Cooper's famous BBQ is located on the north west corner along with a huge truck stop. Actually, there are several truck stops but the one behind Cooper's is really big.
Cooper's Bar-B-Q in Junction, Texas
This is the cooking area for Cooper's BBQ. All is quiet in this area now.
Cooper's Bar-B-Q in Junction, Texas
This is another picture of the cooking area at Cooper's.
While we were eating at Cooper's we watched as several monster trucks with way oversize loads pulled off I-10 and made their way to the truck stop behind Coopers. A man sitting at the next table to us in Cooper's explained that these trucks were hauling sections of the tower for giant wind generators. . They were stopping in Junction for the night because Junction had motel rooms for all the escort drivers.
Transporting wind generator towers
This is a picture of the base and the top section of the tower. The top section was 6-feet longer than the middle section. Each section had a special jig or fixture that attached it to those rolling platforms at the front and rear. The middle section is out of sight on the far side of that long piece. If you are interested in more information on these huge rigs I created a page of pictures here: Transporting Wind Generator Towers
Deer antler tree at Kimble wild game processing in Junction, Texas
Junction is hunting central for the Texas Hill Country. There are several processing plants in town. This one has a deer horn tree out front. Those antlers come from deer that are not being mounted. I am always amazed at this deer horn tree. This processing plant obviously processes a lot of deer each year.
Verbina in South Llano State Park Junction, Texas
This field of verbina is located in South Llano State Park. One of the attractions at this park is sitting on the side of fields like this watching deer (white tail & axis) feeding as well as turkey wandering through the flowers.
Wild turkey
This hen turkey was at a watering spot near the RV-Park.
Male painted bunting
We got lucky with this picture of a male painted bunting displaying for a female. This shot was taken at South Llano State Park out of one of their bird blinds.
Wild turkey in South Llano State Park Junction, Texas
This tom turkey came strutting by one of the blinds enabling me to get this shot. We must have seen 20 or more tom turkey strolling by the blind during our stay in South Llano State Park in Junction. If you enjoy wildlife you will enjoy this park. The park staff keep humming bird feeders on the front porch of the office where campers check in. Someone told me they had to fill the quart containers on each feeder twice a day. Can you say humming birds are flocking to those feeders like bees. Park visitors, including us, like to sit on the front porch of the park office and watch the commotion created by hundreds of humming birds all jockeying for position at one of the six feeders.
Wild turkey in field of verbina at South Llano State Park Junction, Texas
All of the wildlife action at South Llano State Park is not in the bird blinds. We watched this tom turkey in a field of verbina strutting his stuff. He was several hundred yards away from us so that explains why this was not a closeup.
If you enjoyed this Travel Adventure you might like some of these: Texas Hill Country Fences & Gates Willow Loop Scenic Drive north of Fredericksburg Kerrville, Bandera, Hunt & Ingram; Texas Wildlife of the Texas Hill Country Click here for more exciting Texas Travel AdventuresUntil next time remember how good life is. Mike & Joyce Hendrix
|
|
||
|
|||
|
|
|||
