Baxter`s llama rescue farm was just out of a small town in central Texas. She took in and cared for llamas, ducks, geese, cats, guinea fowl and also had two dogs. Baxter was a wonderful lady, with all the caring and patience required to look after a farm full of animals 7 days a week. With 3 other HelpXers (Fred, Dan and Renee) the place really felt like home.
Our timing at the farm was both terrible and brilliant. Texas is dry and hot during August so we spent the week rising with the sun in order to help Baxter before the heat of the day really kicked in. From 11am-5pm the day was scorching. On the other hand, out timing was brilliant, because our visit lined up with the Kerrville Music Festival. Running twice a year since 1972 the Fall Festival is a small and friendly affair. Three or Four acts played on the stage each night, seating was easy to find, and the audience was completely silent, while each act played. The camping ground was almost as good as the scheduled acts, as people brought out guitars, banjos and drums, and jammed all night long. We met a couple of friendly fellow travelers (they lived in Texas but loved to travel) who gave us some great ideas for diving in Central America.
Often on this trip, we have had moments of feeling cramped living in a van, but Dan and Fred (two of the other Help X volunteers) took living in crowded quarters to a whole new level. They were on the road, living in a small pop up camper with two dogs, three cats and a very cute goat called Rosie. The dogs and goat roamed outside during the day, and the cats got the camper with AC. I've no idea how they all managed to get along, but it sounded like they had somehow worked out a way….
From Texas, we had to return to Austin to pick up some car parts. VW parts in this part of the USA are never just kept on the shelf. You have to order everything 3 days in advance. From there, onto San Antonio, to collect Evan and Andrew (Angus’ little brother and Dad). It was great to see familiar faces far from home.
Our timing at the farm was both terrible and brilliant. Texas is dry and hot during August so we spent the week rising with the sun in order to help Baxter before the heat of the day really kicked in. From 11am-5pm the day was scorching. On the other hand, out timing was brilliant, because our visit lined up with the Kerrville Music Festival. Running twice a year since 1972 the Fall Festival is a small and friendly affair. Three or Four acts played on the stage each night, seating was easy to find, and the audience was completely silent, while each act played. The camping ground was almost as good as the scheduled acts, as people brought out guitars, banjos and drums, and jammed all night long. We met a couple of friendly fellow travelers (they lived in Texas but loved to travel) who gave us some great ideas for diving in Central America.
Often on this trip, we have had moments of feeling cramped living in a van, but Dan and Fred (two of the other Help X volunteers) took living in crowded quarters to a whole new level. They were on the road, living in a small pop up camper with two dogs, three cats and a very cute goat called Rosie. The dogs and goat roamed outside during the day, and the cats got the camper with AC. I've no idea how they all managed to get along, but it sounded like they had somehow worked out a way….
From Texas, we had to return to Austin to pick up some car parts. VW parts in this part of the USA are never just kept on the shelf. You have to order everything 3 days in advance. From there, onto San Antonio, to collect Evan and Andrew (Angus’ little brother and Dad). It was great to see familiar faces far from home.