Mother Neff State Park (the first Texas state park)

I had a wonderful hike and I'll take the hike over the tred mill any day. I left early in the day, because it is Africa hot, and drove about an hour north-east to Mother Neff State Park. This area is next to Leon River and it is a very wooded area. There was only one path that I didn't hike and that is because at the trail head there was a sign that read, "Watch for Snakes." My decision was made, why watch for snakes when you can avoid them? Anyway, here are some of this weeks shots.

  
The cave was excavated by the CCC workers and they found the remains of three indians buried there. The pavilion was built by the CCC; I ate lunch there.

The trails are pristine, this is what I've always envisioned our property to look like, minus the spider.

McKinney Falls State Park

My NewBalance shoes fell apart (literally,) so I had to get something I could go hiking in. It just so happens that there is an REI store near me in Round Rock, TX. REI is like a candy store for the outdoorsman. Slowly, I am becoming more of an outdoorsman again. Here are just a couple of the reasons why:

This is when I most think about God and marvel at his creations. Time is such a wonderful thing, I wish I had more of it.

Longhorn Caverns State Park and Inks Lake State Park

It was hot today so I decided to take my hike underground. Of course it was guided and there were some old crunchies with my group so it was a stop and go kind of hike but most of mine hikes are because I like to stop and take photographs. 

Our tour guide was pretty funny but he did point out some facts. Like this cavern was created by fast moving water hence the smooth sides. And the domes where created by whirl pools in the underground river.

This little guy was fast asleep and I though he was pretty cool. If only I had a different lens and more time in the cave.

We owe it all the the CCC workers for digging this cavern out and for putting together this wonderful stonework.

From the Longhorn Caverns and back into the heat of the day, I went just a few miles up the road to Inks Lake.

At Inks lake I found the Devils Watering Hole. I hiked up the rocks to the top and took this panoramic. Kids were jumping of the rocks on the over side, it looked like a place my kids would like to go. Alas, I hiked back down and headed for home.

Colorado Bend State Park

I drove to Bend, TX today and went to another state park. Colorado Bend State Park was worth the 1.5 hour drive, in fact I think I'd do it again.

All the roads in this park are dirt roads. Thankfully I didn't see this guy alive!

Seeing this made it hard to wanna hike...

but I did hike and the trail was pretty rough...

even rougher when I got nearer the Colorado River...

but the waterfall made it all worth it!

I traveled through Lampasas, Texas to get to my destination. Of course I didn't get my video camera out until after my hike through the park. Here is my trip through Lampasas on the way back.



Don't blink.

Scallops

Cooked the most amazing scallops this evening along with a tomato and cucumber salsa. I just need to get some better plates.

Is this turning into a food blog?

A Walk In The Park

Today I went to Dana Peak State Park for a hike. Here are the pictures from my walk in the park.

Danger, lake ahead, slow down!

The flowers are in bloom but there are fewer then I thought there would be. I did get to see the cacti in bloom; that was interesting.

I love black and white pictures; I miss working in the darkroom.

Overall my hike produced some good photos but, I went for exercise and I think I stopped to much to call it exercise.

Swiss Chard!

I have decided to walk into the grocery store and pick some vegetables that I've never eaten before, then bring them home and cook them. This week I chose Swiss Chard.

Swiss Chard, pictured above (yes I took the pictures,) is a spinach like plant but with red stems. I cut the stems out because I didn't think I would like the texture.

I sautéed some onion in a very small amount of olive oil and then added the chard much like I would cook spinach. I tasted it before I added my apple cider vinegar and it was good! With a small splash of the vinegar it was even better.

Don't make fun of my 50 cent plate! And don't make fun of the ribeye, I cut it down on the advice of my wife who recommends, "a serving size of meat should only be about the size of a deck of playing cards." See honey, I do listen.