Based on the short visit to Monahans Sandhills State Park, TX during our Fall Southwest trip, we really thought about returning to this hidden gem and photographing more sand ripples, wind, and precipitation-shaped dune formations, abstract close-up images, Finally, we made our plan and campsite reservations between Christmas and New Year. However, the winter storm bomb just hit the US and turned miserable cold in the middle and northern parts. Unfortunately, the southern region, including Central Texas predicted deep freezing cold, so we canceled our planned trip. A few days later we talked about our cancelation with our outdoors-loving younger son Gergo, who was surprised and encouraged us to go and photograph again that lovely area. We followed the weather prediction and finally decided: let’s go! We reserved our campsites again and left for our Year-end Winter trip on December 26, 2022, and came home on December 31, 2022.
Day 1. Arrived at Abilene State Park, TX late afternoon, set up our A-liner tiny house, hooked the electricity, and set up our propane heater. Chat with neighboring campers, met with our friendly Camp hosts, and talked about our trips. Took a nice hike around the spring-fed pond at Buffalo Wallow trail, and enjoyed the icy shallow areas, and combed grasses. We had dinner in the camper, read, then slept. We had 28 oF during the night, but our “Titan” was warm and cozy inside.
Day 2. Left Abilene State Park, TX at 10 AM, drove on County Roads next to the huge wind energy plants, and then on I-20 to Monahan Sandhills State Park, TX. Checked in around 3 PM and set up our rig on site #25. That area is very nice, but because kids like to slide on the dunes and the sand dunes are covered with footprints, we had to hike deeper to find pristine, nice sand ripples and wind-shaped sand formations as I visualized those and photographed in large format black and white negative film. The sunsets are most of the time are colorful there. We were lucky on the first day there. We had a beautiful, clear, starry night, 35 oF.
Day 3. Up at 6 AM, had coffee, tea, and shower and shaving seance, and then enjoyed the magic play of light at dawn. After a good Lexi-made breakfast, we hiked about 4 miles deep inside to the sandhills and looked and photographed my visualized images. After lunch, I went back for more images then later before sunset checked another area.
Day 4. Woke up at 6 AM as I normally do, then after my morning routines and coffee, I waited for the light and the sunrise. However, the play of light just did not come and even the Sun did not want to get up. However, I walked around and enjoyed the peace and quiet time. Later, I photographed more shapes and forms and sand hills, sand ripples with the play of plant shadows, and sand drawings.
Day 5. Cloudy morning and the Sun does not want to show up. Coffee and morning routine, then we started to pack, and organize, Lexi made a good breakfast then we left the camp at 10 AM and drove to Abilene State Park, TX. Arrived around 3 PM, set up then visited the Lake Abilene area, fly fish there, then hiked the Elm Creek trail, where I photographed my last sheet of film for my “Combed” portfolio. We enjoyed the outings and watched a nice flock of geese at the lake and at a flock of sandhill Cranes at Elm Creek.
Day 6. The cold front is still pushing the evening and night temperatures close to freezing in Abilene State Park, but we were cozy in our tiny house. We had a beautiful starry night, all constellations, stars, and planets we clear and sharp. Up at 6 AM, morning routines, coffee, shaving seans then breakfast together with my wife. Around 9 Am we started to pack, chat with our friendly camp host, and wished them Happy New Year! We left Abilene State Park around 10 AM, and after a hectic last day of the year traffic, we arrived home safely at 3 PM. Unpacked and prepared the broken part on the trailer, then ate homemade good dinner celebrating the end of the year.
In conclusion, my wife Lexi and I enjoyed our end-of-the-year trip. I photographed 40 sheets of 4×5 black and white negative films, and I found and reproduced my never seen images. We were happy on our moderate-level hikes and both of us said thank you for all of the gifts that we received.