Rough Creek Lodge

We took a quick family vacation (my Christmas gift) to Rough Creek Lodge which is in Glen Rose, TX. It was beautiful and peaceful - exactly what I needed and wanted.

The day we arrived, our room wasn't quite ready for check in so we had a picnic out by the pools and let the kids play.

The room was still not ready so we decided to take the kids to Fossil Rim which was about 5-10 minutes away. Madelyn had been when she was about 18 mo - 2 years old and it was Marek's first time. It is quite an experience and I recommend it to everyone. The weather was perfect for riding through the park with the windows down.

One bag of food allowed per car and it's plenty. We wanted to make sure we saved enough for the giraffes which are at the end. . .

The animals are not shy or at all modest. They will stick their big 'ol heads right into your car window to get some food!

At one point Marek was a little overwhelmed by all the animals and their aggressiveness so he hid under daddy's seat!

Hello, Mr. Zebra!

Marek directing daddy on where to go . . .

BLUE 32! BLUE 32! HUT HUT!!

There was a children's petting zoo about half way through the park. We got out to stretch our legs and check out the animals. Madelyn is so much like me. She was so worried about stepping in animal poop! Here she is treading lightly and checking her feet after every step . . .

We finally made it to the giraffes! They are so beautiful, tall, and graceful. They walk right up to your car and bring their large heads down with their looooong necks and gently take the food from your hand. This made Marek a little nervous . . .

Look how enormous their heads are! I think this was a toddler giraffe, too. They're so huge!

Mean, mean, mean. KEEP YOUR WINDOWS UP when you see the Ostriches. They will pluck your finger off!! I'm very serious. They look so prehistoric and pissed.

Fossil Rim was a huge success.

Two sleepers.

After their brief car snoozes, we got our precious babies all dressed and ready for dinner.

Our attempt at a family photo. It was hard enough to get the kids to sit for 10 seconds so we decided not to snap another. :)

After dinner they serve a plate of marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, and sticks for the kids! That's right - s'more time! There was a burn ban in that county so we weren't able to use the large fire pit but these small ones were perfect.

Madelyn taking her first bite!

Marek didn't want to wait for the roasting, the graham and chocolate. He dug right into that warm marshmallow!

They were so good.

This was the sad, pathetic face I got when I told her no more s'mores. It's so hard to say "no" to them!

She was just fine seconds later. :)

The next morning - Madelyn sipping her tea. She's such a little lady. I love my girl.

We caught a TON of fish. We brought our own poles but they have poles, bait, instructions, etc. It was so fun!

There was so much for the kids to do there. They found these bikes and just hopped on and started riding.

Jumping on the trampoline . . .

There was also a zip line but it wasn't really up and running any of the times we were out there. No skin off my back - I was relaxing!

Daddy and the kids took a dip in the hot tub while I hit the treadmill just next door.

On Friday, we drove around the property and looked at some of the cabins. They had this cute little playground and kids play cottage so we stopped for a bit to let the kids play before heading home.

What a great Christmas present. Originally, Mari was going to come with us Wed - Fri and take the kids home while Tom and I stayed through the weekend. When we thought we were buying the house, we canceled our weekend. It was just fine with me - it was nice to still have the entire weekend to rest and play with my babies.

Thanks, daddy, for my wonderful Christmas present.