7 posts tagged “hiking”

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Originally uploaded by Phisch

Look at our pics. Edit: we did this last weekend, when soccer games were canceled due to recent rains.

The last few times we've hiked at the Greenbelt, we chose to exit at the Mopac frontage road and entered the trail from there (west side). We found that there was a trail entrance off 360, so that's where we went this time.

Good thing, too! This part of the trail was gorgeous. The weather was so perfect. It was in the 80s but there was a perfect breeze that made it just so nice in the shade and not awfully hot in the sun.

The trees are all green now, no real sign at all of the sparse grey of winter. We even found this very out of place poppy (made me wish I had a camera that let me pick the depth of field).

The boys had a great time and we could tell we were well overdue for a family outing!

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Originally uploaded by Phisch

Yay! We went hiking again yesterday. J wasn't feeling too hot, but he was a trouper (they both were) and enjoyed it anyway.

At first, we followed my interpretation on the map and our NM was disappointed. I let them all astray; we took the route he said was the right way and, goodness, he was right of course.

The weather has been amazing. The temps in the 70s in the shade, a little breeze and humidity. It hasn't rained all that much so the creek has no water in it yet. We crossed it so we could get to the other side where the shade was.

The trail was interesting because it was split in two: one trail for only those on foot and the slightly higher trail that allowed for mountain biking. The way they separated it is by putting a fence at the beginning of the trail that made it impossible for a biker to get through. I'd never seen that before.

Of course, the boys had fun and we got to see new creatures as well. Well, only I saw the snake and I'm not sure what kind it was. I'm always listening for rustling around on the ground and the sound it made was really different from a bird or lizard spooked by our presence. It definitely was a "slither" and it caught my attention. It looked a lot like this one.

Central Texas is showing so many signs of Spring. The Creek was no exception. There were a lot of plants on the sides of the trails that looked like crab grass but with darker and wider blades. A little bit further, I found some of them that were topped with purple blooms. I wasn't manning the camera or I'd have photos of those and the other pretty flowers that were peeking out here and there, not to mention the trees' leaf buds beginning to unfold. Maybe we don't get snow here, but we sure get a sense of seasonal changes.

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Originally uploaded by Phisch

I'll go ahead and post this before all the photos are done uploading and they get their proper captions. Promise you'll go back for those.

Photos are here.

We drove 20-ish minutes to Hamilton Pool Preserve today. The drive was through some farm land full of what I think are called "gentlemen's ranches" which is another way of saying "I have cattle so I can have a tax write off, not because I necessarily like cattle." Granted, we did see someone with a few bison.

We get to the preserve which has a hiking trail of a little over a mile long from one end (Hamilton Pool) to the other (Pedernales River). The water looked so pretty with blue-green colors but at 53 degrees or so F, not at all inviting! Sorry, too cold. The trail was rocky in parts but the boys did well and really had a blast. I mean really, really enjoyed themselves. There were so many smiles and NM was asking me to take his photo. The only trauma was at the end when someone twisted their ankle but that was over quickly. We ate out afterwards and had well-deserved naps. We were all so tired!

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Go straight to the photos.

Today, we managed to leave the apartment at a reasonable time and headed out to a very nearby park. I told the boys we were going hiking. The weather was great, mostly sunny with some clouds so it was very comfortable. Austin is supposed to be in the high 80s by now, if not low 90s. The weather is spoiling us!

My hubby had looked up nearby hiking trails so we knew we’d have something interesting to walk through. And we did. But when we got there, the first thing the boys saw was the public pool (”I wanna go to the pool!” 2x) and then the playscape (”I wanna go to the park!” 2x but louder). Mom was mean! Mom denied the pool (nevermind that we had no swim trunks) and mom denied the park (”Later!” I said, “Maybe later.”). Instead, we walked across the field that was hovered over by an army of dragonflies. That gave them the willies! But I’m stubborn so we soldiered on.

The path was worn by feet but you could tell the water also did a lot of work there recently. It really took no time before the boys decided to enjoy themselves and stop complaining that they weren’t in the pool or at the playground. After a bit of walking, we heard the sound of rushing water and sure enough we came upon a stream. It was my turn to be disappointed: I remembered they were wearing their “good” shoes. Well, they know the consequences of wet shoes so que sera sera.

The stream was clear and gorgeous and swollen because of the rains. The walking path, which was now paved and parallel to the stream, was overrun by water in some parts. Eventually, we got to a part where the path was completely submerged.

The boys went nuts! At first, they tried to stay on the stepping stones but that really didn’t last long. At some point, someone slipped then the water was fair game. In and around and over the rocks they went, cavorting like there was no tomorrow (and no need for dry shoes). Mom just stayed out of the water and took pictures. I wasn’t about to get my shoes wet! I only have one pair I can wear socks (and go hiking) with. Not that they minded, they still had fun anyway.
After hubby was off work, we all got in our swimming gear and went back. The boys were happy they got to splash around and explore further. We didn’t bring a camera that time so we wouldn’t have to worry about it. In the time we were gone, some people had set off fireworks by the pond part of the stream and the smell of them hung heavily in the air. We did go further down the stream and found an area where there was some water coming from the rocks to one side of the walkway. That water was really cold! Eventually, erosion will carve up that small rock wall and they’ll have to redo the walkway or give it up completely because it was under about 10 inches of water. We all had such a blast!

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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.

***

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.

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Go straight to the photos. 

Yesterday, the boys and I went on a hike. You’d think it was a horrible experience judging from their reaction to having to leave the apartment. I do realize that Legos can be very absorbing but with the rain like we’ve had recently, well…you have to take advantage of a dry spell, you know?

Of course it was gorgeous again. In spite of the muddy parts and the fact that it was a work day, the trail was full of joggers and there were even some bikers. Then there were the usual dog and baby walkers.

Today was great because we were armed with food and drink. But is was also a problem because we had food and drink; next time we’ll just have one bottle and one bag of snack so we won’t have too much carrying to worry about.

Along the way, we found of of the boating/kayak renting places which was cool. NM, of course, got all excited about that and wanted to go kayaking. Time to work those upper body muscles now before we do something like paddle!

It’s so pretty here, but then, I think I mentioned that already. It’s just hard to believe such a big park is in the middle of a city.