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.
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.
Relaxing Hike, Spectacular at Sunset
Balcones Canyonlands NWR - Doeskin Ranch
- 3/3/2012
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Distance: 3.70 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
The drive down FM 1431 to get to this location is incredibly scenic in and of itself. We got a late start - 4:00 - so the sun wasted little time in working against us. But beside the brisker pace this necessitated, the woods and plains drank up the warm magic-hour lighting as though it were a newfound spring. The posture of the trees silhouetted by the fading light rose unmistakably as that of ancient exaltation. There are some wonderfully dramatic vegetation changes along the trails - especially the Indian Grass Trail, which also gets you the furthest away from the highway. The songbirds here take a more appropriate stage than those busking against the traffic. I'd recommend this hike to anyone who's not afraid of a couple hills.