"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."
– Marcel Proust
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
A Free Day for Mom and Daughter
Usually when Summer and I have the car we are running errands. Today we took Toby to work and dropped him off. I really didn't want to stick around downtown Austin walking around on the city streets. After we dropped him off we set out to a new destination.
My plan was to visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden which I still have not seen yet. When we got there they weren't open yet. Summer and I had about 15 minutes to kill until they opened so we drove a little ways down to the Nature and Science Center. I have been wanting to check out the trails there so I figured this was the best time. I didn't have anyone with me that would deter my "hike". Summer is my hiking sidekick. She never complains about tromping around in the woods.
I can't stress enough how nice it was to be able to visit the center without being rushed or adhering to anyone elses schedule. It was the first time Summer and I ever got to really "see" the place.
When we first got there we checked out the usual things like the rocks, animal bones and skin, fossils, etc. We actually got to make it educational with just the two of us.
Of course, after that Summer wanted to head out to the dino pit.....that's her favorite part. The temps were back in the 100's today but it was comfortable in the shade with the breeze blowing.
After dino pit we took off to the trails I was anxious to check out. I was a little nervous about traveling the trails alone being that there were no paper maps of the trail. The only map was posted on the board at the beginning of the trail. After studying the map at the trailhead I saw that the trail was very very long, as are most of the trails here. Fortunately there was a trail loop that looked simple enough to travel without getting lost or eaten alive by coyotes or other wilderness creatures.
Once we started walking I saw that there were alot of side trails off of the main trail that weren't shown on the trailhead map. You couldn't even really tell which trail was the main trail. Being the directionally challenged person that I am, this began to disorient me a little. I really had to pay attention to which way I was going and watch for landmarks. I threw another teachable moment in for Summer and taught her how to be observant of her surroundings when she is hiking.
While walking we came upon a creek, only the creek had no water. It's a reality check when you see something like a creek being dried up. At this point you can see the results of the drought. Record high temps and no rain do not make for nice flowing creeks. The upside to this is that it's pretty cool to see the things that were at the bottom of the creek. Without the water in it it's easier to find the "cool stuff" at the bottom.
Austin is so covered in beauty and originality there is no way I could ever capture it's beauty with a camera. Every time I take a picture I think "they won't see what I see with this picture". Nevertheless, I still try.
This is a creek. There is usually water in it.
If you click on this pic you can see the capitol and downtown from this view.
Trekking back down the path from the lookout.....much easier walk!
After sitting down and having a drink and snack in the empty creek we trekked on in a different direction. We saw a sign that read "Meadow Lake Trail Lookout". I never saw a lake, I'm sure it was dried up, but I spotted the steps that led WAY up to the lookout. The steps were pretty steep and a good ways up the hill. It was 100 degrees but the steps were in the shady woods so I figured I would test my strength. I knew Summer wouldn't have any problem with it. We had plenty of water with us.
We finally made it to the top and this is what we saw. I don't know what the weird looking columns were and there was no sign at the top that gave any info. It reminded me of some kind of fortress. Again, my picture won't capture well what I could see....the view of downtown Austin.
I could see that there were three more seperate trails that led away from the lookout. The adventurer in me wanted to trek furthur but my common sense told me it was probably not a good idea. Water was beginning to run low, it was extremely hot, and we took so many twists and turns to the top that I wasn't even sure I could remember how to get back to the Nature Center. I am having to save most of my hiking adventures for the cooler temps.
Well we did make it out of the trails. When we got back we went inside and cooled off. After I got nice and cool Summer decided that she wanted to go back out into the dino pit to play. Don't kids recognize when it's hot outside?????
She played in the pit and afterward we played in the stream and the pond a little while to get cooled off. I'm not sure if this pond was supposed to be used for swimming or not, but the kids were turning it into their own private pool. It was so hot outside that parents nor the employees stopped them. I sat in the shade and enjoyed watching Summer have a good time.
It turned out to be a perfect mom and daughter day.
My plan was to visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden which I still have not seen yet. When we got there they weren't open yet. Summer and I had about 15 minutes to kill until they opened so we drove a little ways down to the Nature and Science Center. I have been wanting to check out the trails there so I figured this was the best time. I didn't have anyone with me that would deter my "hike". Summer is my hiking sidekick. She never complains about tromping around in the woods.
I can't stress enough how nice it was to be able to visit the center without being rushed or adhering to anyone elses schedule. It was the first time Summer and I ever got to really "see" the place.
When we first got there we checked out the usual things like the rocks, animal bones and skin, fossils, etc. We actually got to make it educational with just the two of us.
Of course, after that Summer wanted to head out to the dino pit.....that's her favorite part. The temps were back in the 100's today but it was comfortable in the shade with the breeze blowing.
After dino pit we took off to the trails I was anxious to check out. I was a little nervous about traveling the trails alone being that there were no paper maps of the trail. The only map was posted on the board at the beginning of the trail. After studying the map at the trailhead I saw that the trail was very very long, as are most of the trails here. Fortunately there was a trail loop that looked simple enough to travel without getting lost or eaten alive by coyotes or other wilderness creatures.
Once we started walking I saw that there were alot of side trails off of the main trail that weren't shown on the trailhead map. You couldn't even really tell which trail was the main trail. Being the directionally challenged person that I am, this began to disorient me a little. I really had to pay attention to which way I was going and watch for landmarks. I threw another teachable moment in for Summer and taught her how to be observant of her surroundings when she is hiking.
While walking we came upon a creek, only the creek had no water. It's a reality check when you see something like a creek being dried up. At this point you can see the results of the drought. Record high temps and no rain do not make for nice flowing creeks. The upside to this is that it's pretty cool to see the things that were at the bottom of the creek. Without the water in it it's easier to find the "cool stuff" at the bottom.
Austin is so covered in beauty and originality there is no way I could ever capture it's beauty with a camera. Every time I take a picture I think "they won't see what I see with this picture". Nevertheless, I still try.
This is a creek. There is usually water in it.
If you click on this pic you can see the capitol and downtown from this view.
Trekking back down the path from the lookout.....much easier walk!
After sitting down and having a drink and snack in the empty creek we trekked on in a different direction. We saw a sign that read "Meadow Lake Trail Lookout". I never saw a lake, I'm sure it was dried up, but I spotted the steps that led WAY up to the lookout. The steps were pretty steep and a good ways up the hill. It was 100 degrees but the steps were in the shady woods so I figured I would test my strength. I knew Summer wouldn't have any problem with it. We had plenty of water with us.
We finally made it to the top and this is what we saw. I don't know what the weird looking columns were and there was no sign at the top that gave any info. It reminded me of some kind of fortress. Again, my picture won't capture well what I could see....the view of downtown Austin.
I could see that there were three more seperate trails that led away from the lookout. The adventurer in me wanted to trek furthur but my common sense told me it was probably not a good idea. Water was beginning to run low, it was extremely hot, and we took so many twists and turns to the top that I wasn't even sure I could remember how to get back to the Nature Center. I am having to save most of my hiking adventures for the cooler temps.
Well we did make it out of the trails. When we got back we went inside and cooled off. After I got nice and cool Summer decided that she wanted to go back out into the dino pit to play. Don't kids recognize when it's hot outside?????
She played in the pit and afterward we played in the stream and the pond a little while to get cooled off. I'm not sure if this pond was supposed to be used for swimming or not, but the kids were turning it into their own private pool. It was so hot outside that parents nor the employees stopped them. I sat in the shade and enjoyed watching Summer have a good time.
It turned out to be a perfect mom and daughter day.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Play Date Day
Today we met our Homeschool friends at the Nature and Science Center. I am proud to say that after 7 months of living here I can now maneuver myself around the city without too much stress. I can also say that I am now a proud aggressive driving Texan. :-)
Getting to the Nature and Science Center requires driving through downtown Austin. It helps that I have walked downtown many times while Toby was working at the tattoo shop. I am confident now that if I get lost I am familiar enough with the city that I can always find my way home.
We have been to the Nature Center a few times since we have been here. Unfortunatley it is another one of those places that has miles of hiking that I have not been able to explore.......maybe one day.
Unfortunately my friend has a little one that does not seem to like hiking around as much as we do and that needs a nap at a certain time each day. There was news today that she has another one on the way. I guess it will be awhile before she can do much exploring in the woods.
Here are some pics of our day:
Getting to the Nature and Science Center requires driving through downtown Austin. It helps that I have walked downtown many times while Toby was working at the tattoo shop. I am confident now that if I get lost I am familiar enough with the city that I can always find my way home.
We have been to the Nature Center a few times since we have been here. Unfortunatley it is another one of those places that has miles of hiking that I have not been able to explore.......maybe one day.
Unfortunately my friend has a little one that does not seem to like hiking around as much as we do and that needs a nap at a certain time each day. There was news today that she has another one on the way. I guess it will be awhile before she can do much exploring in the woods.
Here are some pics of our day:
Monday, July 7, 2008
On a Day to Day Basis......
Aside from planning my weekly Austin activities I have been planning a trip back to my hometown of Mobile, Alabama. It's a really strange emotional sensation to cut your ties from your family and friends and life as you have known it to be for 40 plus years. But like Daddy has always said "Change is good". I have tested that and have seen that it's true.
I have felt happier and more content here than I have in years but there is always that "life" that you leave behind that is always in the back of your mind. It's akin to you getting married and moving away but still wanting to keep contact with "mom and dad".
I guess there is also the curiosity about how I will view things in Mobile from a different perspective. I do know that the only things that I truly miss about Mobile are my family/friends, Books A Million, Moorer Branch Library and Mexican food. Odd that I should be in a state that borders Mexico and still prefer the mexican food in Mobile.
Hope to see everyone in a few months!
I have felt happier and more content here than I have in years but there is always that "life" that you leave behind that is always in the back of your mind. It's akin to you getting married and moving away but still wanting to keep contact with "mom and dad".
I guess there is also the curiosity about how I will view things in Mobile from a different perspective. I do know that the only things that I truly miss about Mobile are my family/friends, Books A Million, Moorer Branch Library and Mexican food. Odd that I should be in a state that borders Mexico and still prefer the mexican food in Mobile.
Hope to see everyone in a few months!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Sunday at Blunn Creek
One of my favorite outdoor activities is hiking and lately I have been getting a good itch to tramp around in the woods. We had a bout of triple digit temps here in June but the temps have toned down to the lower 90's. Still no rain though.
So with the slightly cooler temps I thought it would be a good idea to do a little exploring. We went to a place called Blunn Creek Preserve. It runs along the mouth of a 80 million year old volcano. At one time all of this area was covered by ocean and it's so cool to still see evidence of that all over the ground.
We only took a little tour of the area because Toby doesn't like hiking around in the heat. I guess I expected to see an actual volcano hole but this is what we got when we got to the top.
There was some pretty cool rock there and I collected a few samples for Summer's rock collection. I didn't get to see as much as what I wanted to see so this is one of those places I will be back to explore.......when the weather cools off.
Toby wanted to get back and jump in the park pool so that's how we spent the rest of of our day. I would love to have several more hours in the day to do all the things that I would love to do here.
So with the slightly cooler temps I thought it would be a good idea to do a little exploring. We went to a place called Blunn Creek Preserve. It runs along the mouth of a 80 million year old volcano. At one time all of this area was covered by ocean and it's so cool to still see evidence of that all over the ground.
We only took a little tour of the area because Toby doesn't like hiking around in the heat. I guess I expected to see an actual volcano hole but this is what we got when we got to the top.
There was some pretty cool rock there and I collected a few samples for Summer's rock collection. I didn't get to see as much as what I wanted to see so this is one of those places I will be back to explore.......when the weather cools off.
Toby wanted to get back and jump in the park pool so that's how we spent the rest of of our day. I would love to have several more hours in the day to do all the things that I would love to do here.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Our First July 4th in Texas
Holidays are always nice but most of the time I like to stay away from the crowds and spend time with my family. I decided to think out of my box this year and test out some of the celebrations that were going on in my "neck of the woods".
My plan was to hit Round Rock's Frontiers Day Celebration. We walked around for a little while, watched a jalapeno eating contest, and checked out some of the vendors. After walking around the park for a little while I saw that Toby seemed a little hot and miserable....and I was beginning to get that way myself.
I was wanting to check out another celebration that was going on nearby but decided since it was such a hot, sunny day that we would head home and take in some swim time at the pool up the road before the fireworks show began. Even though at this point I still did not know which of the fireworks shows that we were going to attend. As with everything else here, there are too many choices.
I have visited many parks since I have been in Austin and I would have to say that the park up the road from us is just as nice and has all the amenities that the other more popular parks do, that is, except for Zilker Park in downtown Austin. Nobody can beat Barton Springs. :-)
Anyway, even though I moved to a bigger city to have a bigger selection of activities, I find myself gravitating towards the smaller surrounding city atmospheres. It's really nice to live on the outskirts of a big city, and yet have the peace and quite of a smaller town with easy access to the perks of Austin. Every day I spend here I find more things that I love about it. I love just getting in my car and driving around just to see what you can find. I will be posting some pics of some of these "finds" soon so stay tuned.
On with our day. We didn't get to the pool until around 5:00p.m. By this time the sun was behind the clouds and the breeze here makes it a little too chilly for me to swim. That didn't stop Toby and Summer from swimming though. The good news is Summer took her swimming test for the pool and passed it. YAY! This means she can swim in the big adult pool unattended. Not that Toby and I aren't always in there with her but it's a pool rule that kids pass the swimming test to swim in the big pool.
We really love our pool too. It's never crowded and the swimmers don't act like animals or hoodlums. It's very family oriented.
So, we decided to attend a fireworks show in Webberville. Webberville is about 10 minutes from Manor right on the Colorado River. I found out a little too late that they were having a 4th of July Riverfest so we only managed to make it to the fireworks show.
We were a little reluctant to attend this fireworks display. Our experiences of small country town celebrations include drunk rednecks. I have to say that I was VERY impressed with their celebration. It was held at a small park on the Colorado. We got out our blanket to sit on and Summer played on the playground right beside us. There was a southern blues band playing somewhere on the park grounds. The music was great because it was not too loud and very enjoyable. It was very family oriented with the kids all playing and the parents hanging out. If there were drunks we didn't see or hear any.
The fireworks diplay lasted a really long time. We had seen our share of it so we decided to beat the crowd and sneak out before everyone else did.
The evening was my idea of what you might see portrayed on T.V. A small town celebration like something off of Little House on the Prairie in a modern day version. Good ole family fun.
When we got home it seemed that everyone in Manor was having their own fireworks displays. We discovered that we could sit in our backyard and watch many diplays from great distances. There is an advantage to living on a slight hill in an area with few large trees.
It was a great first 4th of July in Texas.
My plan was to hit Round Rock's Frontiers Day Celebration. We walked around for a little while, watched a jalapeno eating contest, and checked out some of the vendors. After walking around the park for a little while I saw that Toby seemed a little hot and miserable....and I was beginning to get that way myself.
I was wanting to check out another celebration that was going on nearby but decided since it was such a hot, sunny day that we would head home and take in some swim time at the pool up the road before the fireworks show began. Even though at this point I still did not know which of the fireworks shows that we were going to attend. As with everything else here, there are too many choices.
I have visited many parks since I have been in Austin and I would have to say that the park up the road from us is just as nice and has all the amenities that the other more popular parks do, that is, except for Zilker Park in downtown Austin. Nobody can beat Barton Springs. :-)
Anyway, even though I moved to a bigger city to have a bigger selection of activities, I find myself gravitating towards the smaller surrounding city atmospheres. It's really nice to live on the outskirts of a big city, and yet have the peace and quite of a smaller town with easy access to the perks of Austin. Every day I spend here I find more things that I love about it. I love just getting in my car and driving around just to see what you can find. I will be posting some pics of some of these "finds" soon so stay tuned.
On with our day. We didn't get to the pool until around 5:00p.m. By this time the sun was behind the clouds and the breeze here makes it a little too chilly for me to swim. That didn't stop Toby and Summer from swimming though. The good news is Summer took her swimming test for the pool and passed it. YAY! This means she can swim in the big adult pool unattended. Not that Toby and I aren't always in there with her but it's a pool rule that kids pass the swimming test to swim in the big pool.
We really love our pool too. It's never crowded and the swimmers don't act like animals or hoodlums. It's very family oriented.
So, we decided to attend a fireworks show in Webberville. Webberville is about 10 minutes from Manor right on the Colorado River. I found out a little too late that they were having a 4th of July Riverfest so we only managed to make it to the fireworks show.
We were a little reluctant to attend this fireworks display. Our experiences of small country town celebrations include drunk rednecks. I have to say that I was VERY impressed with their celebration. It was held at a small park on the Colorado. We got out our blanket to sit on and Summer played on the playground right beside us. There was a southern blues band playing somewhere on the park grounds. The music was great because it was not too loud and very enjoyable. It was very family oriented with the kids all playing and the parents hanging out. If there were drunks we didn't see or hear any.
The fireworks diplay lasted a really long time. We had seen our share of it so we decided to beat the crowd and sneak out before everyone else did.
The evening was my idea of what you might see portrayed on T.V. A small town celebration like something off of Little House on the Prairie in a modern day version. Good ole family fun.
When we got home it seemed that everyone in Manor was having their own fireworks displays. We discovered that we could sit in our backyard and watch many diplays from great distances. There is an advantage to living on a slight hill in an area with few large trees.
It was a great first 4th of July in Texas.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Play Day at Kiddie Acres
We missed play date last week with our homeschool friends because her baby was sick. It was nice to be able to get together today and have some 'homeschool" social hour.
No one but another homeschooler can relate totally to your life and it's issues regarding having your child with you 24 hours a day AND having to educate them.
I really like my neighbor next door and we get along fine but when you are a homeschooler it's kind of like being gay or black or some other "society decided abnormality". Even though my neighbor is mexican she is very "Americanized" as far as her thoughts on educating and raising children.
Anyway, so today we met Angela and her two kids at a place called "kiddie Acres". It's a small amusement park for kids under 10 yrs. It was pretty shady and Wednesdays are discount day so I got out of there spending less than $20....that included snacks too. The girls had a great time and didn't want to leave but staying would mean spending more money.
Here are some pics:
On another note Austin has had the strangest combination of weather lately. We went on record as having the hottest June ever recorded and only just two mornings ago recorded the coolest temps on record at 62 degrees. Even though it is extremely hot during the day, it cools way down in the evening and the mornings hours. As long as the sun is not out the weather is very tolerable. My neighbor and I took the kids walking around the neighborhood this evening and we didn't even break a sweat.
No one but another homeschooler can relate totally to your life and it's issues regarding having your child with you 24 hours a day AND having to educate them.
I really like my neighbor next door and we get along fine but when you are a homeschooler it's kind of like being gay or black or some other "society decided abnormality". Even though my neighbor is mexican she is very "Americanized" as far as her thoughts on educating and raising children.
Anyway, so today we met Angela and her two kids at a place called "kiddie Acres". It's a small amusement park for kids under 10 yrs. It was pretty shady and Wednesdays are discount day so I got out of there spending less than $20....that included snacks too. The girls had a great time and didn't want to leave but staying would mean spending more money.
Here are some pics:
On another note Austin has had the strangest combination of weather lately. We went on record as having the hottest June ever recorded and only just two mornings ago recorded the coolest temps on record at 62 degrees. Even though it is extremely hot during the day, it cools way down in the evening and the mornings hours. As long as the sun is not out the weather is very tolerable. My neighbor and I took the kids walking around the neighborhood this evening and we didn't even break a sweat.
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