hiking in texas Archives - ETB Travel Photography

San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

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While visiting Katy for two weeks of horse shows, I had a day off between the events and took a short road trip to San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.

Established in 1968, the refuge encompasses 70,000 acres from the coast to 50 miles inland. It protects coastal prairies, lakes and marshes (both fresh and salt), as well as riparian and bottomland forests that attract 320 species of birds.

While it is recognized internationally as a Significant Shorebird Site along with nearby the Brazoria and Big Boggy refuges, San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges is home to much more wildlife including deer and alligators.

EXPLORE

Happy Hiking: Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Anyone that follows my blog likely knows that I prefer hiking in the crisp mountain air to a body of water, like this hike to Sawtooth Lake, so metroplex hikes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area don’t exactly compare. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.

History of Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is located 11 miles northwest of Fort Worth. The nature area comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands was established in 1964. Owned and operated by the City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States.

HAPPY HIKING!

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway is one of eighty parks in the State of Texas and is operated by the Texas Parks & Wildlife. It is located just 45 minutes west of Fort Worth, approximately 1.5 hours west of Dallas, and within five minutes of Mineral Wells, a town known for its healing waters in the 1900’s.

The park includes a lake, twelve miles of trails, several campgrounds including 20 sites for equestrians, a rock-climbing area, and boat rentals from flat-bottom boats with trolling motors to paddle boards. There is also a 20-mile trailway which connects the park to Mineral Wells and the City of Weatherford.

Annie and I visited the park for hiking and hiked most of the twelve miles of trails over two days and followed the trailway toward Mineral Wells until we ran into a current trail closure.

HAPPY HIKING!

Lake Rita Blanca State Park

Lake Rita Blanca State Park, once the northernmost state park in Texas, is now owned and operated by the City of Dalhart. Since it is now maintained by the city, “state” is removed from the name and it is now known as Lake Rita Blanca Park. As suggested by its name, the park features Lake Rita Blanca along with many trails, parking and camping areas, and playground and pavilion. The park is located just 2.5 miles south of town.

GO HIKING!

Day 99 – Texas Hill Country

Day 99 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

After a month break at home, from Christmas to the Super Bowl, I’m back on the road again. Going to the Super Bowl on Sunday made for an exciting and very long day. Knowing how I started out the last 99 days, jetlagged and exhausted from leaving right after a trip to Africa, I settled for a late morning start. While I took the morning to tie up loose ends, I feel better prepared for this leg of the journey. VANilla is packed more appropriately.

I added and deleted some items, but overall, I’m carrying less with me now. I think the hardest items to pack are clothing. This fall when I left, it was so hot in Texas, I could hardly force myself to pack long pants, sweaters, and jackets and frankly I didn’t have much to choose from for 70 days! This February, Dallas has been brutally cold. I’m quite certain the whole world knows this with the Super Bowl coverage or should I say debacle leading up to game day. Anyway, despite knowing I’d be on the road for the next 8 months, and thus during the entire summer, I think I packed lots of heavy clothes.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!