Rock Climbing and Crazy Water?

We had a free weekend approaching and decided to go camping for a few days somewhere, anywhere. It had been a busy summer and fall was approaching.  I emailed our son and told him we were thinking about trying Caprock Canyons SP and invited his family to join us.  He replied that they had just made reservations at Lake Mineral Wells State Park and would like for us to join them there.  Their trip was a birthday request of their oldest son, Will.  He is now 12 years old and this park has great rock climbing areas, which he loves to do and excels at. How could anyone say no to that?

 On our way down to Mineral Wells our route took us through Archer City, Texas, the home of famed writer, Larry McMurtry, author of Lonesome Dove and many other works.  We stopped at his book store for a look around and a break from the heat.

We arrived in the heat of the day on Friday.  It was 106F as we set up.  Later, a cool front came through and Saturday was pleasant for a day of rock climbing or watching.  We chose watching.  That afternoon the boys swam while we got a campfire ready for hot dogs and s'mores.  A scary story after dinner and then every one slept well.

 Brock practices climbing on the lower rocks.

 Cory coaches Will and all the other climbers in safety and technique.

Me, Cory and Grant pause for a moment.

 Christi and Cory.  Hey, she climbed to the top too!

Will, Sam (the boys' friend and neighbor), Grant, Brock, Cory and Christi at Penitentiary Hollow, where all the rock climbing action occurs. 

 Around the camp fire.

On Sunday, the kids went fishing while we prepared lunch after which they left for home. We planned to stay an extra day.  Our plans changed a little when Betty received word that an elderly aunt was not doing too well.  We were only an hour away from the nursing home she was in, so we decided to stay an additional day in order to go visit her.

When I had mentioned to my 85 year old mother that we were going to Mineral Wells her immediate response was "See if you can still buy Crazy Water!" (that is a story in itself).  The high mineral content of some of the water from wells here was said to have cured a demented woman who drank it in the 1880's.  It was later found that the water contains trace amounts of lithium, a mineral used in the treatment of certain mental disorders.  On our way out of town we stopped at The Famous Water Company and found that yes indeed, they still sell Crazy Water and in fact the Crazy Water Festival is coming up in October.  We bought a case of the miracle water and then pointed our rig towards Amarillo.

Another fun trip in the books.