Walnut Creek Hike

I've mentioned before that I feel like I live in the BEST city on the planet.  My outing today was just another reason why I think that.  BFF and I went on a hike...in the city!  Today, we took in the trails at the Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park here in Austin. 

It was a hot day so Big Baby got to stay home in the comfort of our air conditioned home while BFF and I went out to have a little adventure!  As part of my "getting in touch with nature" promise to myself, I thought this would be a good place to start. 

And the best place to start is always with the trail map!  I'm a sucker for maps and navigating so I got a little involved with reading it.  BFF got a wee bit impatient and took off ahead of me (not knowing which trail she was taking!). 

The lady in the picture above was very helpful to BFF and let her know what trails led to what area and what the terrain was like (some were very steep and others were not).  So, we chose the trail she was on.  She looked like she knew her stuff!

Flowers, flowers everywhere!  We were pleasantly surprised with the amount of wildflowers that were still blooming.  The heat hadn't destroyed them...YET! 

 
On our way to the creek, we came across some signage telling us of a rock slide that happened a couple of weeks ago.  Even though this was to be an adventure, we decided that we should probably heed the warning and stay on the designated trails. 

 The creek and everything along the length of it made us feel like we had been transported somewhere else.  It didn't feel like a place that was only ten minutes from my home.  It was quiet, peaceful and relaxing.  

The only way to continue along the trail we were on was to go through the water.  I asked BFF if she wanted to turn back the way we came or if she wanted to continue on.  She decided to quote me and said "our shoes won't feel loved unless we let them go places they wouldn't ordinarily go."  So, we went through the water. 

BFF was thrilled to find some fossils along the creek's edge.  She wanted to take them all home with her!

Soon it was time for us to head back and try to make our way back to our car.  The trail leaving the creek bottom was quite steep but we got some great views of the creek below (I'm guessing this is NOT where the rock slide was because there wasn't a barricade up!). 

Then we ran into this lovely little sign as we continued on our path!  "Severe Consequences Loop".  Don't ya just love that name for a trail?  Well, guess what we did?  Yep!  We walked right through it!

We made our way to a picnic table where we sat and had a bottle of water to help us cool off. 

All in all it was a great day!  The little trek on the trail has inspired me to do more trail running.  I think it's something I am better suited for since the pace is a little slower than road racing.  The biggest bonus for me would be that I get to spend more time with rocks, dirt, trees and critters!  Exactly my cup of tea!

Happy Trails!
Valeka

Beautiful Day

Today, Big Baby and I went out for a late afternoon walk.  The sofa was stuck to my butt but the weather was too beautiful to not get out and enjoy it.  I am pretty lucky to live where I do.  I live smack dab between two parks complete with greenbelt trails (no excuse to not get any walking/wogging/running done - EVER).  We made our way down the sidewalk and towards the park.

I am not much for running on sidewalks or asphalt so I didn't subject BB to it either.  We walked until we reached the gravel trail.

We finally arrived at our little park.  BB was super duper excited to get there and didn't want to waste any time walking.  She wanted to gallop!!  Of course, I am NOT in galloping shape so we did "wog" and that seemed to satisfy her for the moment.

We continued on and enjoyed the sites and sounds of nature.  She is literally my eyes and ears on the trail.  Sometimes I overlook the little things because I am too busy focusing on the big picture (time, mileage, steps, my butt jiggling).  BB slows down my brain and makes me relax.  I love her for that.

It was such a wonderful day out.  The sun was shining and there was a light breeze.  Days like this are truly a blessing.  BB and I took a few pauses on the trail to enjoy our time together.

We continued on our way and took in some more of the sites in the park.

We decided it was time to head home. 

But before we left, she took a whiff of a mountain laurel.  For those of you that have never seen one, the purple blossoms smell EXACTLY like grape-scented bubble gum.  BB and I love to breath in the scent.  Heavenly!

We headed back out on the sidewalk to make our way home.  BB was one tired pooch by the end of our adventure.

It was a great day spent doing something that I love with one of my beautiful fur babies.  It doesn't get much better than that!

Happy Trails!
Valeka

(A special "thank you" to BFF for taking the photos for this post)