I was invited to a women's retreat from my blogger friend, Rachel the Red Headed Punchette. That is what I call her now. Somehow we crossed paths via our blogs and had become cyber friends. Is that what you would call it? LOL!!! Anyhow, I was invited last year but couldn't make it because Tucker was a fuss to leave behind. So I made it happen this year!!
I actually got to travel 80 legally. I thought Texas was all 75. Apparently not. This was I-10 and it was 80. SWEET!! I had to send Tyler this picture, since he likes to speed.
The Big Bend Cowboy Church hosted the Cowgirl Gathering. I was so excited to travel down to the Alpine/Fort Davis Area. It is beautiful there and the country is rather different than the flatlands we live in. I hoped it would be green since most of Texas was getting rain!! It was indeed. This picture I took out my window. I loved the mountains, the windmill and tank.
Look at the rugged rock and how the formations are. So cool!!
Almost there!! I took the scenic route through the mountains. It slowed me down an hour but was well worth the drive. This is Mitre Peak. Our camp was right North of this peak. We were on the 06 Ranch, they actually have a girl scout camp there. That is where we all stayed for our weekend.
This was the cabin that Rachel and I shared.
There were several cabins on the mountain.
This was the path I traveled to get to the cook shack and horses.
Most of the trails we explored looked like this.
We took a hike the first morning there. Steep climbing, lots of rocks and brush.
Meet Rachel the Red Headed Punchette. I felt like I already knew this woman!! I guess from reading her blog and keeping up with her on Instagram. We instantly hit it off, were able to conversate, laugh and have fun!! We actually have quite a bit in common She has a funny sense of humor to. So I laughed a lot at her, in a good way though!!
This is Dafy's cave.
Camp
I was just in awe at the scenery and country. I had been to Alpine and Fort Davis before.
I just never had the opportunity to explore the mountains until now!!
There are over 20 "pools" throughout the mountains.
Most are springfed. We hiked to two of them.
This is Stormie. She used to live on the camp grounds for about ten years I believe. She was the chick who guided us on all of our hiking adventures. Take a look at the rock she is sitting on, remember it for later. But in the meantime, can you see the heart to the right of her leg???
Here is a close up. There is a heart carved in the rock with two dove touching beaks.
Can you see them, their feathers and the heart!!?? Isn't that cool!!
Some of the ladies on the hike. Check out Becky with her baby girl Grace.
She took her with us on the long hike and was a champ!
This is the other pool we hiked to. This is where the girl scouts used to hike up to and swim.
Stormie told us that it is an immediate 8 foot drop into the water and the bottom is nowhere near. Scuba divers have explored it and have yet to find the bottom. Can you imagine how deep that would have to be????? That big rock on the left is Turtle Rock. Can you see him??
Also, see the lady with her back to us with the pink cap on?? That is Jennifer my other blogger friend. We met at Roaring Springs the weekend before and then got to spend time together at the gathering. It is so fun meeting new friends that share the same interests and lifestyles as we do.
We also rode our horses after lunch on Saturday. I didn't get any pictures of that. It was a ton of fun. My horse got kicked by Rachel's bay mare right before we left, thanks Rachel. Joking!! I rode him all the way up during our scavenger hunt. He started gimping on me at the end, so I had a long walk back. I hopped on him for the last couple of miles. He is ok now!! The scavenger hunt was several bible verses with clues in them. We had to figure out what the item was and go find it. We all had teams of three. Really enjoyed it!
Right when we got back from our ride, the rain set in. It rained and rained. After our lunch and devotion we heard the water just roaring. We went to the creek and it was coming fast and furious. A bunch of us hiked back up as far as we could and watched the water. It was simply amazing. Right below this waterfall was that rock Stormie was sitting on earlier. Covered in water now!!
Rachel doesn't like this picture, but I did. So Cheers to new friends!!
Five of us wanted to go up even higher to see the water from the top of the mountain.
So we went up the Frankenstein trail. There is a rock that looks like him, but I didn't get his picture! As we made it to the top, it started to rain. Not just a little drizzle, a heavy rain. We had quite the hike down, slick rocks and unstable ground. But it was worth every step and breath!!
Looking down below, our camp is on the right. This is Norma and Stormie. Norma's husband is the pastor at the Cowboy Church. She became a friend to me at the gathering. So friendly, open and encouraging. She is this cute, little petite person with a huge love for God. I really took a liking to her!! She to blogs and has an amazing blog. Check it out at
www.thecowboypastorswife.com
We enjoyed wonderful music, songs and fellowship. We were fed amazing meals, had loving conversations, heard awesome devotions and most importantly came together to worship and love GOD!!!
I didn't get pictures of any of the drama that came with all the rain. I ended up getting stuck trying to get my pickup and trailer off this incline so we could cross the creek before it rose again. Most all of the pickups had to get pulled out of the mud onto the road. Then, all the horses were ponied across the creek to safety. It was a crazy time, but we all made it across safely and were able to get out and hit the road home. Quite the adventure I must say.
I left with my heart feeling softened, fed, led, full and satisfied. I felt so refreshed in many ways as a Mother and Wife as well. I came home ready to tackle our two little boys and all that comes with them!! Sometimes it takes jumping out of your comfort zone to find that your spirit is needing to be fed in a different form or fashion. I for one found that this past weekend!
As I took a look at the beautiful Davis Mountains, I sat there and thought how can one not believe that God created Man and Earth??? This was a perfect example. As troubling as our times are, I was able to find peace in myself . I know that I will enjoy eternity when that time comes. I have known this for quite sometime, it was just ever so clear this weekend.
I plan on returning and hope to bring a few dear friends with me.
Thanks ladies for letting me join in on the fellowship and friendships!!
