1 post tagged “hike and bike path”

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Go straight to the photos.

South part this time. We owe you pics and pics will be had. Did I say south? Sorry, make that both sides. We hiked one way, crossed the bridge, hiked back west then crossed the bridge again before we got back in the truck and drove home.

All told, three hours of hiking. Not sure how long, but it felt like somewhere in the neighborhood of five miles. There are mile markers but they won’t work unless you keep track of where you start.

New stuff today: we saw someone who had four gorgeous, gorgeous Irish setters. They were all so well behaved! The wouldn’t get in the water until he gave them the signal and he had them all walking in a row. No leash, mind you, only their training collars. Towards the end of our walk we ran into them again at the watering hole and he had all four leashed together somehow so they had to walk in tandem.

A few times during our long, stamina-building walk we got rain. Lots of rain! The first time it came down it was perfect—huge drops of rain that dispelled the humidity and felt really refreshing. It stopped and started about four or five times all told. At first, the boys complained but they got over it quickly. The rain did hit hard after all, but after a while you just deal and then later on you enjoy. Especially after mom demos how to catch them in your mouth. Easy demo to do and it helped to get them to enjoy it. Our shirts were very wet when we got into the truck and my hair was wet. Not dripping wet, but not just a little damp, either!

Since we did have rain, there were no bugs to speak of. At the beginning of the hike there were so many dragonflies hovering over the field near the parking area, just feasting on gnats and whatever else they like to eat. I have no idea where they go when it rains, but it was away from us so that was nice. The boys, who spent nap time playing instead of resting, did complain but never really that they were tired. No way! If there was a chance to go swimming afterwards, they weren’t about to admit to tired lest mom and dad opt to bow out of swimming. They held up really well and really enjoyed the whole long walk.

We’re looking forward to when we can have a dog come along with us, too! There are so many dog owners in Austin. Most of the water fountains at Zilker have spouts at doggie height. The ones that don’t more often than not have a bowl nearby so you can fill it if you need to.

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Earlier in the day we did get to go to church. Second service, though, because the kids went to bed too late. Yesterday afternoon, swimming was cut short by lightning and thunder. That had repercussions; the little one’s fears became top-of-mind again so he had a really hard time dealing with bed, dark, etc.

We were late to church! Note: over-reliance on GPS isn’t a good thing. Sometimes the system can’t find what you’re looking for and it sends you on a wild goose chase. I wish I had directions written down, but my passable sense of direction got us on the right track and we did make it there, even if we did miss worship and opening prayer. But we were there! That’s the important part.

Speaking of GPS…the kids hear it a lot. The little one, who likes to put words (or squeals) into his Jojo Lion’s mouth, has taken to putting words in the GPS’s mouth. Proverbial mouth, of course.

Most frequently added instructions to what the GPS says: “Turn right on Barton Springs Road. Turn right to Barton Springs.”

I can be driving south on Mopac/Hwy 1 and be three miles north of Barton Springs area and he will not fail to remind me that it is very nearby. Do you think he enjoyed himself there? I’m safe from Barton Springs 68 degree waters so far since I have no bathing suit. But when payday hits and they remind me to get one, I’m in trouble.