Medina Highpoint Resort

Medina Highpoint Resort
Medina, TX
November 2018


For several years now, I have wanted to visit the Texas Gulf Coast.  Its all about the birds that make the coast their winter home...beautiful birds like Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibises, Whooping Cranes and the list could go on and on.  Unfortunately, Harvey beat us there !

A stop we had planned to make on our way south was Medina Highpoint Resort in the heart of Texas Hill Country.  

Lucky for us, we were  able to reserve the month of November.  Craig Newton, (general manager) and his staff were incredibly welcoming and an important part of helping us feel at home here.
MHR is the fifth different RVC Outdoor Destinations property we have visited.  
This 95 acre plot was added to the Outdoor Destination roster in 2013.  It is a beautiful and natural setting atop the Edwards Plateau.  

I took this photo from the overlook on the Bigfoot Trail (located on MHR property) which winds its way up (and up and up) the hill. 

The Ranch House was built in 1948.  It's limestone exterior along with pecan wood floors, chandeliers, and heavy doors are original to the house.  



Today, it offers suites, a commercial kitchen, and wrap around porch (1,500 ft. covered) for just a few or a large group.

Behind the Ranch House is what is now called The Retreat.  In its day, it was a studio for artists.

 


Joe and I aren't "pool" people, but the infinity pool is certainly inviting even if you don't want to swim.  

The sound of the running water surrounded by huge trees and tropical plants was a very nice surprise.

 And look what I found...

The Bigfoot Trail is a short 2 mile hike if you hike to the end and back.  Don't let the distance fool you, it's quite a workout. 


There are benches along the way and two overlooks at the top.  And yes, a pretty spectacular view too.

Can you see the bridge?

We discovered a cave...











with a bridge.











This little hill is visible from our site and Jack has made himself at home.  He leads us to the grassy field everyday to play ball.

When you come to explore this beautiful part of our grand country called the Texas Hill Country, there is simply no place more beautiful and inviting than Medina Highpoint Resort to call home.  Fall has been especially pretty !  Just a few more pictures I liked...

Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS ! 

Columbine Trail, Helen Hunt Falls and Heading West!

Garden of the Gods RV Resort/Outdoor Destinations
Colorado Springs, CO
July 20, 2014

Did you see it...it caught my eye...

I hope someone is missing a glove and not a hand!

North Cheyenne Creek

Imagine my excitement to hear running water as we headed toward the Lower Columbine Trail. Actually the Columbine Trail is three trails in one...Lower, Middle and Upper. We chose only to do Lower and Middle...a four mile trek to Helen Hunt Falls.
The trail traces the cut of North Cheyenne Creek as it climbs up the canon wall. We much preferred the Lower Trail as we were close to the creek...it was cool, shady, and green.

There were picnic tables all along the trail.

Eventually the trail comes back to North Cheyenne Road. There is a bridge over the creek and a marked road crossing for pedestrians.  

Lower joins middle just around the corner after the road crossing. 





From here, the trail begins its ascent on a narrow shelf... about 1,050 ft. total ascent from the Lower Columbine Trailhead to Helen Hunt Falls.

Helen Hunt Falls is a waterfall located on Cheyenne Creek. The falls are named in honor of Helen Maria Hunt Jackson, a poet and writer. Sometime after the death of her first husband, she visited Colorado Springs (1873-75) seeking rest at the Seven Falls Resort in hopes of a cure for tuberculosis. It was there she met and married William Jackson, a wealthy banker and railroad executive. During her several years in Co Springs, she spent Sundays at the site of the falls and was buried there when she died.

  We chose a take a different route back to town...we drove back to Helen Hunt Falls. Just past there, North Cheyenne Road ends at a parking lot for anyone who wants to hike or bike the Upper Columbine Trail (I read it is only a mile, but very steep.). An alternative dirt road, Gold Camp Road, picks up here.

Gold Camp Road

Gold Camp Road was originally a railroad. There are dozens of "cuts" thru the rock just wide enough for a train...or one car...and this is a 2-way traffic road with brave folks on bicycles going in both directions as well. Yikes!

Add in a couple of tunnels...









and some grand views for a fun 6.7 miles.

 Today is packing up day. Tomorrow we head west...about 240 miles to Montrose, CO. I can hardly wait!  I already know the 9 days we have planned there will not be enough! Between our friends Sue and Paul who are there and Mark who posts the most gorgeous pictures from Lovely Ouray on www.boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com , I know I will be in heaven or at least able to touch the clouds!

 

So until next time...

Gold Camp Road traveling top to bottom.

happy trails!