Remembering Uncertain Texas

Fireworks at Caddo Lake ArtbyGordon oil on canvas

Uncertain Texas: a wonderful vacation spot. My youngest son was two, my oldest thirteen, it was a happy time for our family. We would go to Beyond the Bayou and we became good friends with the owners.

We enjoyed horseback riding through the woods at sunset, my youngest loved to ride in the lap of the owner, his eyes wide as he was dwarfed by the huge saddle clenched tightly in his tiny hands.

I remember the zip line, a high ladder and a curious two year-old, let’s just say it was frightening. I remember his first catfish and the smell of the dough balls and canned corn.

The dark black water was a bit intimidating for a new dad and the catfish were like mysterious creatures magically coming out of the blackness. I think it might be where he first got his love for fishing

I remember the humid evenings, where I had my first old fashioned and got to taste black eyed peas one new years eve. I remember being followed by a flock of geese and assorted ducks, picking cypress seedlings to transplant at home, the dark brown tannins of the pond and the cold refreshing thermocline at the bottom.

One year we had the privilege to watch the locals set off fireworks. I think it was the longest display I have ever seen. It was in the winter and there were plenty of thermoses filled with hot chocolate and we bundled up in blankets to watch the display.

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

I was impressed with Plano's Arbor Hills Nature Preserve for keeping a unique natural area so close to the city. I went with little expectations. I was expecting a small urban park but it was so much more.

When you first get on the trail, it's amazing how close to concrete you still are because the trail is quite beautiful and as pristine as it could be for an urban setting.

The parking lot was filled and yet there was plenty of space. There were signs everywhere but they mingled in so well with the landscape you don't mind. The first trail I took was on a hillside that meandered through a upland hardwood forest.

As you get down the trail and closer to a ravine you can hear the sound of a stream that rushes through along the trails dotted with pedestrian bridges. There were people everywhere but we all seemed to have our own space.

Lots of Poison oak and ivy

It was nice to see people out walking, families with children, couples and people taking advantage of the hiking and bike trails. I was very surprised how well kept the landscape is and how much it felt like an escape from the busy hectic traffic nearby.

It was harder to stay immersed in nature as the concrete path connects many of the dirt paths and there were many bridges and signs of different trails. It was still everything an urban park strives to be, enough people as not feel too remote and yet quiet with enough space for a feeling of being out in nature.

There were several other parks nearby that I plan on checking out in the future but Arbor Hills was a perfect way to wrap up my day of exploring.

Rediscovering The Heard Museum

The last time I visited the Heard Museum in McKinney was when my son was very young. We visited a few of the small enclosures with birds of prey in the back and checked out the museum and the gift shop. It was an interesting place to visit.

Today I went mainly to check out the plant sale, just to see if there were any interesting or hard to find plants significant to local wildlife. The first announcement, no milkweed, pretty much the only plant I was looking for.

Milkweed plants have gotten really popular as news gets out that the population of monarch butterflies has been threatened in the last few years. It’s good to see people getting involved in nature.

I decided to check out the museum as well, it was ten dollars to get in and well worth it. My first thought was the different activities and events happening and that alone seemed to be a big improvement over what I remembered.

The learning center was a very interesting place for children who were running through the many rooms that included everything from fossils to live snakes.

When I got outside, the landscape made me think I had stepped into another place, far from an urban setting. There were big trees, shady areas and long beautiful stretches of lush green grass.

There were just enough people to make you feel like you weren’t completely by yourself but sparse enough to enjoy some solitude in nature. There are seven miles of hiking trails, very different terrains and lots of birds singing.

I got to listen to a bunch of crows screaming about an owl that hooted back in disgust. I finally saw it’s giant wings effortlessly fly through the thick branches and it was gone again as were the crows who seemed to have made their point.

There were benches all around, lots of things to learn, lots of interesting things to read about the area. There is a butterfly house, which was closed, but the native plants were marked and bits of information told you about the flora and fauna.

It was a perfect day to hike and a perfect day to disappear for a bit in the middle of a deep forest where the casual hiker can enjoy easy gravel walkways with beautiful views. I found a craw fish in a small puddle, watched blue jays and cardinals and felt like I had escaped, even just for a short time.

I got to rediscover  a place that was more beautiful than I remembered it. I was impressed with so many families sharing nature with their kids. I met several young volunteers and was inspired to one day volunteer for them. I left the Heard very impressed and even surprised what a beautiful oasis they 

created so close to Dallas just by protecting nature.

Back on the Water

The last time I kayaked was the first time in the Florida surf. I lost a rod, got dumped beneath a wave and remembered how awkward it can be when nature makes a fool out of you.

I haven’t been on a kayak since, not for any specific reason, we just didn’t get out this fall like we usually do. Fishing for pickerel at Lake Daingerfield has become a autumn tradition as they are active in cold water.

This weekend is the first time in quite a while we got back on the water. I forgot just how much I enjoyed it.

 

I brought the wrong gear, as the box was still filled with saltwater lures. I borrowed one of my sons rattle traps but after a snag on a cable, I was done fishing.

Instead I enjoyed just paddling, There is a wonderful feeling of just being there when you are only interested in observing.

The wind was cold for early April and the rain hung over us the whole time. I had my iphone for the first time on the kayak so I was able to just take pictures of the scenery.

No one caught anything, we just enjoyed being out there and sometimes that’s what fishing is all about. Being out there, I missed it more than I even thought I would.