Garner State Park Via San Antonio

2022-09-25

The resumption of our “To Georgia and Back” series

After leaving Austin, we have to cross the great state of Texas. There is no hurry and so we’ll avoid the desolate lonesome feeling of Interstate 10. We’re looking for back roads through the Great Plains, the legendary western desert and a place and flavor that neither of us has yet to explore.

There is little notable, or famous, that is nude out there. We’ll be looking for natural beauty and space to roam free. We have no real idea, no picture of what is out there.

First, I’ve always heard about the San Antonio river walk. It seems a good place to begin. I’ll check it off of the bucket list. We thought to take a chance on a “lifestyles” optional sort of resort, which is on the way, as something different, but ultimately decided to take the naturist option.  I suppose that it might have made an interesting story.

We eventually have reservations west of San Antonio at Garner State Park for the night.

The Road More Traveled:

We had received a warning about the road down from Austin. It had been advertised as a dangerous, hair raising ride through fear. I dunno. It just comes across like another freeway between towns. There however, seems to be a group of Texans who drive big black pickup trucks, which are more than a bit aggressive.  They are so alike, that it seems like the same guy. I’ve been driving days and it’s like he just keeps turning up in my rearview mirror, puts on an act and then off to who knows. Since the border, there has been a general disregard for speed limits.  Still, this road gave me no problems.

As we arrive in town, we are lost and angry. The damn techy electronic GPS internet guide has our destination totally off. I pull over, take a breath and decide to just do what my senses tell me, which is to go in the opposite direction…It works.

The river walk is a wonderful place to stroll. It certainly is not a naked walk, but a treat just the same.

We put on our tourist clothing and leave the car.

I opine that this may be the best, most creative architectural walk anywhere. It’s been a while since I walked those European streets, but today, I’d place it as more impressive than what I know of any other cities. There is quality and variety, old and newer, melded together, as we walk along.

Meandering paths, unique stairs and trails as gardens, all entertain.

It isn’t Disneyland, but I would prefer it as real. It isn’t huge, or grand. It feels safe and comfortable.

We cross the river, away from the tourist trade and find a special little Mexican restaurant. Local workers are eating here. I think that this is very good and I’m a Tucson Mexican food snob.

We have decided to walk into the “Prince Williams Neighborhood.”

It’s an original part of San Antonio, just down the river. We heard that there would be fewer tourists and crowds. It is old genteel mansions, some with used to be slave quarters and very old mature trees.

Each house has its history and particular style and charm.  

They reign from the days as the “country” of Texas to the Golden Age.

The old home turned museum called “Villa Finale” is closed. It was created by a man who spent his life traveling the world, collecting curios and art. The big stash is his old house, now that museum. “Tough job, tough life,” I think sarcastically.

We find a small ice cream place, with a local owner, who insists on people being “Properly Attired” He’s got a sign out front. He says that he is offended by the risqué outfits of some people. I’m sure that our naturist sensibilities would clash with this man’s, but he certainly knows his ice cream.

We enjoy a couple of cones, indulging his fantasy of us, dressed in our tourist disguises. We chuckle, finding him eccentric, as some people might find a nude person sitting there eating ice cream eccentric.

The court house is nearby. There, we find a statue of blind justice, a golden lady, with balancing scales and a huge sword. She wears absolutely no garments, as she stands on her pedestal.    So, you know, I have to remark, how while justice is naked, anyone else would be prosecuted for being similarly attired. I wonder how far I’d get naked with a sword in hand.

In the same plaza, there is a group of bronze people discussing something. I pal up to a couple of settlers, then I notice a Native American standing near and taking them in.

We both have a suspicious reservation about these guys.

We cross the way and a Catholic church is letting Sunday services out. We can visit as tourist.

As we enter, we are served a reminder. I must take off my hat and DF must cover her head. I figure that God won’t mind, but I’ll comply respectfully to their silly custom.  We do find this to be a very special place. If I went to a church and wore clothing to worship, this would be a fine place to do that.  I’m struck by this as beautiful and even magnificent.

We return to the car and get comfortable for a long drive.   We cruise slowly past the famous Alamo.

After a few raised freeways, the road shrinks and then again. It’s eventually a straight two lane highway heading out west.

On to Garner State Park:

We have another few hours’ drive out to Garner State Park.  During my research, it looked potentially a place for a skinny dip with a campground of shady trees.

We arrive just after a storm blows through. The others, everywhere, are drenched. It is soggy.

We cruise through the area, just to check it out and look for potential for nude recreation. It is a family place, of bicycles, picnics, roaming children and probably some intolerance for body freedom.

Our spot appears to have the best potential, a less crowded spot in the river. I’m thinking an evening’s nude swim tonight. The campground, with all of those trees that I saw from satellite vision, is trimmed like a city park, grass and umbrella shaped trees.

We manage to find ourselves away from the others and I set the tent, car and table in coordination with a tree and a bush to give us some privacy.

We aren’t there five minutes, before a friendly ranger drives up and greets us! He has found a tiki torch left by others and offers it to us. “Okay, thank-you, sounds fun.”

I take a walk before sunset to get a lay of the park. Primarily, I’m looking for a trail down to the river and a swimming hole. There is a thick clump of vegetation all along the road. This is coupled with a steep drop down to the river. It is impassible. I walk the length in search, but no dice.

I have to be resigned to be in my kilt and DF a sundress.

Good Morning?

After sleeping in, when we begin stepping out of the tent, we discover that morning brings a potential. Everybody is gone! We have this place to ourselves.

We begin to nude about. We do morning chores with our ears on alert and even manage to take a few photos, but it doesn’t last long. That smiling Ranger pops by. Then the cleanup guy drives up in his truck to take care of the toilets. It is is a straight visual shot from there to our camp.

We begin to pack up, taking down the obstacles erected for privacy.

Sometimes, opportunity is a smaller window. Perhaps, we could have had a few more minutes alone and free here, had we known.

From the cliff, I can see buildings on the other side of the river. Downstream, there is a bridge for the main road with a view of the river. The other campgrounds are filled with kids. This park just has no private places.

We drive to the next campground and make our way through a soggy campsite. People are hanging wet everything in trees and across the grass to dry in the sun. There is a trail down to the river, through a thick meadow.  We make our way, appreciating a few flowers.

Quickly, DF gets in the water naked and we have a photo. It’s just to do it at this point.

This park is a nice place. It isn’t a good nude spot, however.

Still, where would you rather stay. Cozy under the stars in a dark sky, or this:

It’s a long way to Marfa, our next overnight. Crossing Texas is supposed to be half the distance of the continental United States. We’re in the middle of it this morning. We get back into the refuge of the car, expecting a full day’s carnuding. What will be will be.

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