When I think of the magic of my childhood, two places readily come to mind; Inks Lake State Park and The Medina River. My sister and I spent weeks at a time every summer with my grandparents in Kerrville, Tx. Now, I know most of you would wince with an eye of scepticism if I told you that magic lived there, but trust me, it does. As a child, I knew enchantment could be found in a tent that my grandfather would put up for me in their backyard. It was my own space and I loved being there. The possibilities were endless when that tent was up, and I could decide which mysterious land I lived in each time I opened the front flap. Few things would entice me to leave that tent, hunger was one, although brief, motivator, but a day at Medina River was something I waited on all year long and was the most magical place of all.
It took me twenty years to go back. I can’t say why. It’s funny, the things that have kept me from the most memorable moments are things that now, I can’t recall.
Scott and I packed up food for a day and took both of the girls up the switchback mountain from Kerrville to where I hoped we would find the same spot my grandparents took my sister and me when we were kids. I wasn’t sure what I would find after 20 years, but I was relieved to find Medina River to be much the same. That day, I found a long lost friend. The magic is still there.
There are times still that I miss my grandparents so much that I ache. My throat tightens up and I wish more than anything that I could hug them, or talk to them. I didn’t feel that longing for them that day at the river like I thought I would. Maybe it’s because I knew they were there, and they were smiling.
The Camping Post 
Your posts are so emotional. I LOVE them all!
Thank you, Cheryl! I’m glad you like them! Thank you for being the first person to encourage me to start! Even if no one else gets anything out of it, it has done so much for me already. Thank you for taking the time to “drop by” and leave a comment!
What a beautiful spot! The Medina looks so inviting for a dip with its rocky bottom and tree-shade.
It is so nice to have magical memories of times with your grandparents – I’m sure they were smiling at you when you returned to the river with your family.
I miss my three grandparents that have passed so much too. Each year I try to make the drive back to one of my grandfather’s favorite beach and spend a day there. It is a way for me to re-connect with him even though he’s not here anymore.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comments. It was pretty low when we went, but still beautiful. At the time, we hadn’t had much rain, so I was worried it might be completely dry.
I do think visiting those special places brings us closer to them. I know it helps me not feel so homesick for them. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories with me.
It’s always great to find those special places just as we left them. 🙂
I love the outdoors and we have been to several visits in Austin in the hill country area, we’ve been to several lakes, rivers and springs and I’m always on the lookout for places like this, I would love to go visit this exact place, is there a particular location at the Medina river where I could find this secluded place?
Hi, Remi! There is a main road that goes through the small town of Medina, are you familiar with it? From that road, you will turn down Patterson Ave (you can only turn one way onto Patterson from Broadway St.). Follow Patterson over a low water crossing bridge (at this very spot) and immediately to your right will be a gravel parking area. You can park there. Enjoy!