Tekmos Enchanted Camp Out

Tekmos Team members gathered together for the first time for what hopefully will be a twice annual camp out at Oxford Ranch Campground in Llano, Texas, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. April in the Texas Hill Country means lots of wildflowers, including the state flower, the bluebonnet, and perfect spring temperatures with many options for hiking, visiting a Presidential home, or wine tasting.

The afternoon was spent playing card games, relaxing and visiting followed by an evening of great food and music. Tekmos resident chef/cook, Phil Buck prepared an enjoyable dinner consisting of the perfect camp food; hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, green beans, caramelized carrots, French fries to rave about, macaroni and cheese followed by s'mores.The rest of the evening we were serenaded by engineer, Rick Holman's strum of the guitar and country/blue lyrics. After a good night sleep in the fresh Hill Country air and a tasty breakfast, some went for a hike to Enchanted Rock for a good stretch of the leg and commune with nature. Others ventured to Fredericksburg for great shopping and home to more than 15 vineyards and wineries.

Oxford Ranch Campground 160 acres is located approximately ten miles south of Llano off of State Hwy 16 in the Texas Hill Country. A working cattle ranch offers tent camping under oak trees, bath-house (with hot showers) and also have hiking, mountain biking and trail rides available. This camp is close to one of the starting points for the back roads to Click scenic route if you are interested in exploring the boondocks. RV sites are available and pets are ok if kept on a leash.

Enchanted Rock (16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg TX) is an enormous pink granite pluton batholith located in the Llano Uplift approximately 17 miles (27 km) north of Fredericksburg, and 24 miles (39 km) south of Llano, Texas. Archaeologists discovered trace of human life back 11,000 years. Folklore of local Tonkawa, Apache and Comanche tribes ascribes magical and spiritual powers to the rock (hence the name 'Enchanted Rock').

"Hill Country" is a vernacular term applied to a region including all or part of twenty-five counties near the geographical center of Texas. It is bordered on the east and south by the Balcones Escarpment, on the west by the relatively un- dissected Edwards Plateau, and on the north by rolling plains and prairies. The elevations range from less than 1000 feet in the south and eastern areas of the Hill Country and generally rise toward the north and west to reach more than 2500 feet.

President Lyndon B. Johnson was born near Johnson City. Learn about this colorful Texan at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Tour the Texas White House and Johnson's boyhood home.

Drive the Peach Loop, one of TPWD's Great Texas Wildlife Trails. It will lead you to some of the best wildlife observation points in the area.

A great time was enjoyed by all with definite plans for another camp out in the fall.