Trip - March 31 to April 14

[Undertaker]

My personal favoriate is La Kiva, best story was on trip in BB with a friend of my sons, and awaiting my son and his other friend to drive down, stopped by La Kiva for cold one, snack, band and my sons friend said he did not have any id but his library card. Beer was good :lol:

[Boojum1]

I like LaKiva for the quirkiness but once I parked there to take a shower (Cottonwood campground that night) and some a$$hat stole the ice chest out of the back of my pick-up.  Silly me for leaving it there, but it had survived intact for 3 days at the Rancherias Loop parking lot without a problem, so I figured it was safe.  I hope they ate the chicken.

Okie hiker, the Sofa Kings sound like some of the jazz bands of Austin or Kerrville Folk Festival e.g., Asylum Street Spankers, etc.

The itinerary looks workable to me but I agree about San Jac. Its best to avoid Houston altogether.  With time you could go to Goliad Mission and the Presidio which are nifty.  If you need to camp on the way to SA, I recommend Llano River State Park in Junction, except you might want to linger there awhile.  

They do sell Maker's Mark in Texas, btw.

[MuleEarMick]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. It's most appreciated.

TWWG - your suggestions for the rim hike sound good and will most likely be taken, depending on availability. I have very little experience in that portion of the park.

The suggestions for Paint Gap 4 will definitely be taken if that's the general area we wind up at that time. It's been my experience that the actual trip typically doesn't follow the iteneraries I lay out, sometimes by a great deal, which, I think, is good. I don't like trips with people that try to follow their plans to the letter. I think you have to be able to adapt to changing circumstances in order to take advantage of oppurtunities as they present themselves. I usually end up going too slow and have to cut stuff from the plan.

I might try the Stalight for dinner since I have never eaten there. But LaKiva is a must stop in my book. I really like the atmosphere for a couple (or more) of cold ones.

My friend and his son have never been to the Alamo so that's a must stop. San Jacinto was on the list because I have never been there. My buddie that lives in Conroe told me I should see it at some point. I have planned to see it on every trip and have never made it. It really isn't a priority.

As the trip gets closer, I'll try to arrange to see some of you while we're in the area. Thanks again.

[Roy]

I'd really recommend a day in San Antonio;  stay at the Menger if time/wallet allow.  It's an interesting old hotel, you're right next door to the Alamo and within walking distance of the River Walk and lots of other cool tourist traps :)

The other missions in San Antonio are also worth a visit:

http://www.nps.gov/saan/

It's been so long since I've been to San Jacinto I wouldn't even guess what it's like these days.

[Undertaker]

Second on the avoiding Houston, I would rather be going elsewhere not Houston.   :)

[trtlrock]

Our Subaru Outback made it easily to PG4 twice this past month.  Takes a little care after PG3, and I didn't want to push it farther than PG4...but I wouldn't really call the Outback hi-clearance.

[Desertwalker]

Our Subaru Outback made it easily to PG4 twice this past month.  Takes a little care after PG3, and I didn't want to push it farther than PG4...but I wouldn't really call the Outback hi-clearance.

I'm all for taking risks but why take the chance of ruining a good trip. I wouldn't try it with a sedan or other low clearance vehicle. Maybe, an Outback is a medium clearance vehicle???

[trtlrock]

Yes, I'd call the Outback faux hi-clearance, certainly medium clearance.  I agree w/you re risk & I never felt I was risking it past PG3 to get to PG4.  I was unwilling to risk it beyond though, after getting out & looking ahead, so we parked it there at PG4 & hiked farther out to drop our cache.