During my drive to Dallas on Friday, I realized that I was becoming pretty familiar with the billboards and exits along the route. March, April, and May…I’ve made a trip to Texas during each of these spring months this year, and it’s been a blast! Since taking the leap into self-employment, I've felt a lot of different emotions and insecurities, but looking at the whole picture, I’m hugely satisfied with this form of work and travel. Looking back over these Texas/Springtime travels, I’m realizing how much I’m loving the freedom, education, and connections I’m making. I thought I’d highlight a few of my favorite work/travel/human connection events from this spring.

Ellie, Ariel, & Cookie…Rootrunner Homestead~Luling, TX

I visited my childhood friend, Ellie, twice this spring, staying with her and her husband (& doggo-Cookie) at their off the grid homestead in Luling, Texas. They raise pigs, and bees, and wildflowers galore! If you’re unfamiliar with the off the grid lifestyle, it is a true commitment to the land and environment. They rely on sunshine for solar, spring rains to recharge their massive rain tank, and livestock to fill their freezer. It’s not an easy or comfortable lifestyle, but I see so much satisfaction in how they carry out their conscientious existence in this space they’ve chosen. You can see more of their homesteading journey on their “Rootrunner Homestead” Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Last year, we helped them slaughter a few pigs during our stay. Not needing to tackle that chore this year, Brent provided a bit of elbow grease and contributed a swinging double door for their shower house. I collected a good bit of wildflowers from their property and added several designs to my Texas Flowers & Fossils Collection. I love that so much of my Texas collection came from their homestead.

Ellie and Ariel are both runners, and Ellie has tackled (and is currently training for) a massive ultra run. It was fun to join her on a (very) short run during our stay there. She’s been a huge inspiration to me on my own health and wellness journey, and someone I find ease in sharing my aspirations and struggles with. She also took the time and helped me with the Red Poppy Festival and the Pecan Street Festival, and she was a massive help indeed!

Luling Lavender Field~Luling, TX

If you’re ever in or near Luling, you gotta stop in to the Luling Lavender Fields. Seeing the indian paintbrushes, indian blankets, bluebonnets, larkspur, and lavender all in bloom is beyond picturesque! They also have a lovely gift shop, lavender ice cream, and an assortment of beverages and beer to enjoy while you’re there. I picked up several lavender plants for my mom and sister (our cabin is too shady to even attempt to grow lavender, but I love it sooooo much), and some painted glass art for my grandma Goldie. They’ve even started having Sunday afternoon concerts in their fields! Unfortunately, I had art shows each of the Sundays we were there, but I hope to catch some shows next time I’m in the area.

Natural Bridge Caverns & Bracken Cave Bat Flight~San Antonio, TX

I am thrilled to add Natural Bridge Caverns to my list of jewelry retailers! They are officially carrying my Texas Flowers & Fossils Collection in their gift shop (which is massive and worth checking out!) Working with the retail manager and guided tours manager, Brent and I were able to make molds of fossils in cave for a very custom collection for Natural Bridge Caverns. These custom fossil earrings, necklaces, and bracelets will (hopefully) be available in their shop later this Summer.

Bracken Cave Bat Flight…I really wanted to keep this part of the trip a secret from my husband, but he’s the kind of fella that needs to know all the details during travels, so no surprises for him!

Seeing (literally) millions of Mexican Free-tailed bats exiting the cave for their evening flight is nothing less than awe-spiring. They call the flight formation a “bat-nado” due to its tornado-like vortex. Bat population is estimated between 4 and 15 million depending on the time of year, and cave temps are over 100 degree F, making it a perfect nursery for their pups! Snakes, racoons, and a variety of raptors show up to grab a few bats for their dinner as well. I love the bats, but seeing the falcons and hawks pick off a few is really incredible. You can hear the slap of their bodies as they slam into the cloud of bats and fly away with their dinner in their talons.

A lot of volunteers assist in educating folks, maintaining and protecting the property, and studying the ecology and biology of the cave/cave critters. Ellie and her friend Niki just did a 61 mile “Roost to Roost” fundraising run where they raised money to support Bracken and Old Tunnel Cave Preserves. I was more than happy to donate on behalf of Ozark Impressions Jewelry because I love these places and the critters that inhabit them. I want others to be able to enjoy them for generations to come. If you’re interested in donating to protect these natural treasures, you can donate to Bat Conservation International. A quick google search should land you in the right place.