Hancock Springs

Today we trekked 57 miles north to Lampasas, TX for the opportunity to swim in a free-flowing artesian spring-fed pool. The pool's sulfurous mineral waters are said to offer medicinal properties.

Early American Indian tribes made yearly pilgrimages to the mineral springs site. And, the first Anglo to make medicinal use of the mineral springs was Moses Hughes, who brought his ailing wife there in the 1850's. When her liver problem was "cured" after 21 days of drinking the water, the family moved permanently to Lampasas. As news of the healing waters spread, others joined the Hughes family, and the town was established. -- Texas State Historical Association

None of our party had anything to be healed today; we just thought it would be a kick to swim in the smelly waters. And woo-wee! We love swimming in freezing cold water that stinks of rotten eggs! The college-student lifeguards took a quick liking to our wild boys. They learned each of their names and had fun jumping in alongside them and spent a good hour just goofing off with us. Later, they showed the buddies and their friends how to collect twigs, leaves, and acorns and send them down the "chute" into the creek below.