A Relaxing Escape - Even on Easter Sunday
Walnut Creek Park
- 4/8/2012
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Distance: 2.50 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
It was Easter when we took this ramble - with no real preparation other than knowing where the park was. The developed part of the park was overrun when we got there - not necessarily a bad thing - families out enjoying the day with games and barbeque. It wasn't long until the din of veneration was at our backs and out of sight. The off-leash aspect of many of the trails was a hit with Zoey, who enjoyed venturing into the brush and galavanting in the water. Easter 2012 in Austin was a pastoral spring day, making the hike all the more enjoyable. The power lines in the park are unsightly and, at times, unhinge the illusion of a natural getaway, but that is my only criticism of Walnut Creek Park. Definitely worth it, power lines and all.
Commons Ford is beautiful and gently used
Commons Ford Park
- 4/7/2012
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Well, this looks like the first log since 2009 - and they still haven't marked any trails! Not that I consider that a bad thing - it made the park seem well-preserved. There is a sign that points to a "Picnic Area", and that's where EVERYONE is - in a big, open space with access to the water. By this measure, I was certain that we wouldn't have had any solitude at all, but I guess unmarked trails are a little too wily for most. We headed across the street opposite the picnic area and discovered some relaxing waterfalls and fun game trails that did a good job of scraping us up and getting us dirty. Wonderful setting to just play and relax.
Good Place for Family and Dogs
Good Water Trail
- 3/17/2012
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Distance: 1.00 Mile
Duration: 2 hours
My girlfriend and our dog joined our friends' family which consisted of a three-year-old, a six-year-old, a 15-year-old, and a 17-year-old. Everyone, dog included, enjoyed the hike. Being that we had such a large group, we didn't venture much further than the first stem trail to the lake shore that we found, but it was a great place to get some sun, skip rocks, and look for spiders.
On our short journey, I was struck by the seemingly endless splay of junipers that nestled us on either side of the trail. Staring deep into it, an expansive feeling overtook me, like looking into two mirrors facing each other or taking in the relentless dark of Longhorn Caverns. The moment, however brief, filled and nurtured a heart otherwise troubled by the constant pressure to correct disruptive and destructive behavior of children and dog. Illusions can heal. Often, they are the only thing we can look to.
Wonderful Scenery in a Beautiful Park that's Worth the Price
McKinney Roughs
- 3/14/2012
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Distance: 4.00 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
On Tuesday, we adopted our new dog, Zoey, and on Wednesday, decided to test her mettle with a 3.5 hour hike. The verdict: she loved every step of it, and so did we. The vistas, especially Meditation Point, offer spectacular views of the Colorado River and its surrounding landscape. We also visited the Large Pecan Tree which appeared to live up to its name. 200 years old - goodness gracious. Recent rains left the trails quite muddy, but the scenery was so lovely that we hardly gave it a second thought. The mud offered some easily identifiable tracks, although the only wildlife we saw were hawks lazily sailing overhead. The dog's a keeper, and so is this beautiful LCRA park.
Popular Trail - with good reason
Bull Creek
- 3/12/2012
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Distance: 3.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
The waters were high and flowing nicely. It was the first day of spring break so many people were out to play in the water. Everyone seemed to be having a joyful emersion.