Pam LeBlanc enjoys the sunset from the deck of a yurt at Paisano Azul Ranch. Pam LeBlanc photo

Add soaking in an inflatable pool on a deck in the Chihuahuan Desert to the list of things that make me happy.

I spent a night at Paisano Azul Ranch in Terlingua, where you can rent a yurt or a small modern cabin, or pitch a tent alongside a cactus-covered hillside.

I chose the yurt, which came with a hot tub that doubles as a “cool pool” when the temperatures rise.

Which they did. This was Big Bend in June, and it was hot as heck during the day. But I knew going in that June, July and August are typically the hottest months out there; highs hover between 94 and 97 degrees.

Just prepare for the heat, drink lots of water, and remember that back deck oasis.

The hot tub doubles as a cool pool in the summer. Chris LeBlanc photo

We spent the afternoon at nearby Big Bend National Park. When we returned, my husband cooked dinner on the grill on the deck while I lounged neck deep in the inflatable tub. The next morning, I climbed in the pool again to enjoy sunrise.

The tub wasn’t the only thingI liked about Paisano Azul Ranch.

Ten cool things about Paisano Azul Ranch

Guests can stay in a yurt at Paisano Azul Ranch in Terlingua. Pam LeBlanc photo

1. Two resident goats, Stella and Clyde, patrol the place. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of them hitching a ride in the golf cart the manager uses to check on the property.

2. You can watch the sun set on two sides – the west, like you do in most places, but also east, where you can see the setting sun light up the Chisos Mountains.

The yurt is furnished with a queen sized bed, a shower, and kitchenette. Pam LeBlanc photo

3. The yurt is fancy. Besides a queen-sized bed, you can pull out the couch into a full-sized bed. There’s a kitchenette, shower, and a toilet, too. You can flip on a TV, but who needs that? Go outside and watch Mother Nature’s show instead.

4. The toilet is equipped with a bidet!

Chris LeBlanc grills dinner on the deck of the yurt at Paisano Azul Ranch in Terlingua. Pam LeBlanc photo

5. The Cottonwood General Store just down the street feels like a teeny, tiny Whole Foods, with an array of cheeses, wines, and fresh produce to make your own charcuterie tray, best consumed on that deck.

6. The yurt is a 10-minute drive from the Starlight Theatre and Terlingua Trading Post, where a lot of the guitar-strumming, hula-hooping action takes place in Terlingua. For such a small town, Terlingua’s got a hopping bar scene.

7. It takes about 30 minutes to get from the yurt to the Panther Junction Visitor Center in Big Bend National Park, where you can plot an adventurous day (or three) of hiking in the Chisos Mountains, dipping your toe in the Rio Grande, or looking for wildlife.

8. It’s a 20-minute drive from the yurt to Barton Warnock Visitor Center in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Bring your mountain bike to access incredible trails that start at a trailhead across the street.

The moon rises behind the yurt at Paisano Azul Ranch. Pam LeBlanc photo

9. Step outside at night. We timed our visit to coincide with a full moon. After darkness fell, my husband stood on the deck naked, and I caught a great image of a double moon.

10. The yurt is just a few hundred yards away from Terlingua Creek. Big Bend got a ton of rain in May, and the creek raged. Take a walk down to check it out.

Raj Randeri, Chris LeBlanc and Rich Colfack tested their backpacking gear at McKinney Falls State Park. Pam LeBlanc photo

​My backpacking crew is headed east this summer, to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail. I can’t make that trip, since I’m recovering from knee surgery, but I joined the gang for a quick shakeout at McKinney Falls State Park this week.

The 641-acre park, located at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek in southeast Austin, makes a nice spot for a quick overnight and gear testing. The campground has some nice shady spots; I like the spots on Grapevine Loop best because they’re tucked in the trees. I’ve got great memories of picnicking at the park when I was a kid, and cyclists and hikers will find 9 miles of trail to explore.

Normally, I’d make a beeline to the Lower Falls, but I’m still on crutches so I skipped it this time. Still, recent rains mean the water is flowing better than it has in a few months. (Don’t expect that to last.)

Visitors hike around the Upper Falls at McKinney Falls State Park on May 24, 2023. Pam LeBlanc photo

There’s better swimming but less dramatic scenery at the Upper Falls, where you can plop yourself beneath a towering cypress tree or leap into the green pool of water. When water is higher, you can jump off a rocky ledge at the swimming area.

The Smith Visitors Center at the park, which closed after flooding in 2013, reopened in October 2021. Visitors will find information about the park’s natural history, plus an observation deck. And on Thursday nights during good weather, the park hosts free line-dancing classes there from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Chris LeBlanc sets up a new ultra-light backpacking tent. Pam LeBlanc photo

During this week’s Wednesday night visit, my friends loaded and unloaded their backpacks, popped up the tents they’ll be using on the trail, and sorted through seat pads, water filters and other gear. We took a slow walk around the campground, then settled in at the picnic table for dinner. (If you’ve read about my backpacking adventures, you probably know I like PackIt Gourmet camp meals the best.)

Rich Colfack, Raj Randeri and Chris LeBlanc walk around the campground at McKinney Falls State Park. Pam LeBlanc photo

Afterward, while my friends zipped themselves inside their tents, I made myself comfortable in Vincent VanGo, my Ford Transit campervan. I missed my tent, but until I’m more mobile the van makes a fun substitute.

McKinney Falls State Park is located at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway. Admission is $6 for adults and free for ages 12 and under.

Now that summer is here, purchase day passes and book campsites in advance. The park sells out weekends and holidays.

Pam LeBlanc is recovering from knee surgery, so she slept in the campervan. Chris LeBlanc photo

The free Barton Springs shuttle will run from May 27 to Sept. 4. Photo courtesy city of Austin

A leap into Barton Springs Pool can help keep you cool this summer – but first you’ve got to get there.

I prefer traveling by bicycle, but that’s not always possible. If you do park at the pool, you’ll have to pay a $7 fee on weekends and holidays, payable at stations around the park.

Luckily, there’s a cheaper alternative. Visitors who park at One Texas Center parking garage, 505 Barton Springs Road, can hop a free shuttle to the park.

The shuttle runs from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday from May 27 through Sept. 4, and on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day holidays, according to city of Austin officials. You must get the driver to validate your ticket.

The shuttle drops off at the Zilker playground/Barton Springs spillway, a two-minute walk to Barton Springs Pool. No pets are allowed on the shuttle. For more information, go to AustinTexas.gov/Zilker.

Barton Springs makes a fine place to cool off on a hot summer day. Pam LeBlanc photo

My advice? When you get off the shuttle on your way back to your car, zip across the street to Sandy’s for some frozen custard.

And another tip: Buy your tickets to enter the natural, spring-fed swimming pool online in advance. For residents of Austin, admission is $2 for ages 1-11, $3 ages 12-17, $5 ages 18-62, and $2 for seniors. Infants and veterans are free. (Prices are higher for non-residents.) Season passes are $190 for adults.