A morning hike

Posted on March 19, 2012 by curtis

The last weekend in April, I’m planning on going on an extended weekend backpacking trip in Arkansas with a group of old friends from my scout troop. Since its been about a year since my dad or myself did any sort of hiking, we decided to head out to the Fort Worth Nature Center to put in a few miles and work the ol’ muscles out. Two other guys that we are going with came with us as well.

There are many different trails at the nature center and they offer a variety of different things. From flat and swampy, to more hilly and spacious. In recent years, the center has began to charge an entrance fee, but at 5 dollars it’s not a huge hit on the wallet and well worth it. You can also purchase a pass for the year.

We all showed up with our packs loaded up with some weight and we were off for a nice 6 mile round trip hike.

Spring offers lots of color, though I think we were a few weeks early as every thing was just starting to open up and very few things were flowering.

The sun coming up over Lake Worth.

Pretty sure this is primrose.

Vining periwinkle (Vinca minor).

This stuff was growing everywhere. Well, everywhere in this one spot on the trail.

Two and half miles.

Dad and me and the shameless self portrait.

The bluebonnets. They were spread out over a few hundred feet but only a few had started to bloom.

This picture was taken inside an outhouse that was built by the CCC in the mid 60′s. There are lots of remnants of old structures that the CCC built, including the one featured in my previous post.

The hike was a quick 3 hours and we were home by lunch. On our way out we ran into a group of about 25-30 people spread out over a good half mile or so. Not sure if they were a church group or from a get motivated center or what but everyone ranged from late teens to this one lady that was probably early 70s or so. A bit odd, but whatever gets you outside is fine with me.

It’s a beautiful morning

Posted on March 17, 2012 by curtis

Hiking at the Fort Worth Nature Center

Trout Fishing

Posted on February 13, 2012 by curtis

I have visited Tandy Hills park several times in the past thirteen years or so. I’ve hiked here. Gone orienteering here. Even geocached here. It wasn’t until Sunday that I found one of its hidden treasures. Trout Lilies. I went out Sunday morning, with my sister in tow, to see if they were in bloom yet. My sister and brother-in-law had recently discovered this park just a few years ago and ran across them in bloom. Last week I went looking for them but didn’t really know where to look. It wasn’t but a 10 minute walk in the windy 30* weather to the spot they had found. At first glance we thought none were in bloom, but upon further inspection there were multiple shoots about to open up and we found one in full bloom.

The water was brisk.

Obligatory self portrait.

Though our visit Sunday was short, I’d like to come back soon to see if I can find some more. Perhaps another lunchtime extravaganza? I think so.

All Decked Out

Posted on February 3, 2012 by curtis

After leaving Tandy Hills, I stopped by and took this shot of The Homeless Christmas Tree.

Lunchtime extravaganza

Posted on February 3, 2012 by curtis

I made a quick jaunt over to Tandy Hills Park during lunch on Wednesday to see if I could find the trout lilies that are in bloom. I was in my work clothes and I was on a time limit. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the trout lilies, or much of anything else. The creeks (if you want to call it that) were flowing pretty well due to the recent rains we’ve had and it wasn’t too muddy.

I traipsed down a few hills and came across this rusted out old van. Probably been there 20 years or so. Kind of reminded me of Dharma van.

It was pretty peaceful even though I didn’t find what I was looking for. I’ll have to come back.

Accidents

Posted on January 31, 2012 by curtis

I took this last week during a break in the rain. I was downtown walking in the connector between the parking garage heading to the DR Horton tower and I snapped this on my phone. I was just trying to capture the cold, rainy afternoon. Upon further inspection, it turned out to be an inconspicuous self portrait.

Stock Show

Posted on January 24, 2012 by curtis

This past weekend we made our way down to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. It always fun to wander around the barns and look at all the cows and sheep and other farm animals. We missed the goats as they were there the previous weekend.