Prayer Mountain, Dallas

How can you not love a place named "Prayer Mountain"? 

Especially with a view like this!!
Located in Dallas, (That's right, Dallas, didn't you know there was a mountain in Dallas?) on Mountain Creek Parkway at Eagle Ford.   

We just stumbled on it by accident. 

Well, not really accident.  We found it because I'm.... well, let's just say I'm curious.  While driving along, I saw a road heading up a hill, with open gates for a church at the top of the hill.  And I just had to have a look! 

And what an amazing look you get at the top! 

Okay, this is a crummy picture, but it's the best of the crummy pictures I took.  Blame the photographer and not the photo.  Trust me when I tell you that the view is amazing!  They say it's the highest point in Dallas County.   

Winding through the cedar and juniper trees are trails for mountain biking and hiking on the over 100 acres of the mountain.  Some are easy, some medium, and a few are much more treacherous and difficult.  We are anxious to return one afternoon for the Sunset Trail, along the west side of the mountain! 

D.O.R.B.A. (Dallas Off Road Biking Association) maintains the trails, and some of the "additions" are kinda crazy!  Look for it on their website as Big Cedar. 

The trails are open 7 days a week, from dawn to dusk.  Parking is near the electrical lines behind the church, which oversees the care of the mountain.  Access to the mountain is free, but if you visit, consider making a donation for work on the trails.  If you are riding, you must have a signed waiver.

After spending a morning exploring the trails, we had a picnic lunch at some picnic tables near the trailhead.  There is a fire pit, grill and even restrooms.  Camping is allowed with permission.

 It's a wonderful place for kids to go exploring, finding caterpillars, snail shells and all things .......kids! 

Although Joe Pool Lake is just a few minutes away, there is also a small, stocked lake for catch and release only fishing.   I love this picture, and the little butterfly I captured fluttering away on the top, left hand side. 

Mountain Creek Church

The property is owned by Mountain Creek Church, a non-denominational Christian Church.  They have services on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.  It's a scenic location for weddings in their chapel or outside in their gazebo, near the overlook.  Visitors of all faiths are invited to enjoy their beautiful prayer grounds, also.

Texas History Trivia

If the name of the road, Eagle Ford, sounds familiar, it's because no matter where you live in Texas you have probably heard the term Eagle Ford Shale.  Probably the news.  Probably in a discussion about oil.  You might think that they named the road from this 90 million year old sedimentary rock formation, but you would be wrong.  The shale was first sighted in this West Dallas neighborhood of Eagle Ford, along the Cedar Hill escarpment.  Want to understand Texas Geology more?  I found this informative rendering on Wikipedia.

For a similar, interactive 3D example, visit the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) in Fort Worth.

 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Where do you go to recharge your batteries?

In the weeks before a school vacation, I spend countless hours planning where we will go and what we will do.  I feel that the minute the bell rings, it's like a starting gun.  I'm compelled to fit as many activities in as possible during that short time.  In my mind, like a mantra, I just keep repeating, "We will never have this time together again".  And we won't.  My kids are growing.  I know our family time will get more limited. Nothing is promised.  Each day is a blessing, and I want to make the most it.  I want the days to be perfect.      

But sometimes the days don't go perfect.  Sometimes we need to slow down....

....... and breathe. 

Where do you go to recharge your batteries?

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

MY FAVORITE PLACES TO SEE BALD EAGLES IN TEXAS

Have you ever seen a WILD BALD EAGLE?  Once you see one up close (and by that I mean up close enough to determine that it is a bald eagle through your binoculars), it's a thrill you will never forget!  Because not only are they the symbol of the United States, but they are truly amazing, native American birds! Add to that the fact that they were almost extinct because of OUR carelessness, and that they are RECOVERING, they're just an amazing!

 

Bald Eagles migrate to Texas each winter, and usually to the same area.  They build huge nest in trees for their eggs, and raise a family. Immature bald eagles do not have the recognizeable white heads, and are often mistaken for hawks (at least by me).

 

Here are some of my favorite places in Texas to see wild Bald Eagles:

 

1.  Vanishing Texas River Cruise

One of my favorite spot to view Bald Eagles is the Vanishing Texas River Cruise by Canyon of the Eagles on the Colorado River and Lake Buchanan in Burnet!  You can choose to sit in the all enclosed air conditioned/heated (because in Texas you never know!) cabin or go up top to the open air deck for viewing!  Reservations are highly suggested, and tend to sell out quickly!  They have recently added NEW Freedom Flight Cruises in conjunction with Last Chance Forever wild bird rehabilitators.  On these amazing cruises, you can witness as birds are released back into the wild!  For somone who wants to get a little closer to nature, enjoy one of their Kayak Rentals along Beaver Creek.  Enjoy a 2, 4 or all day excursion to Falls Creek Falls.

2.  John Bunker Sands Wetlands  

A man made wetland just south of Dallas, the East Fork Wetlands Project was created as a natural way to cleanse reclaimed water, and is the largest in the state.  Migratory shorebirds and waterfowl have claimed the area as their winter home, as well as juvenile Bald Eagles, and a mature mating pair.  The John Bunker Sands Center provides an educational opportunity to view the wetlands along their boardwalk, and hands on activities for schools and organizations in their leanring center.  They are open to the public on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, and weekday visits are scheduled by appointment. 

3.  Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

Hagerman offers a wonderful opportunity to view wildlife from your car, or you can get out and hike the trails around the refuge.  On our visit last year, we spotted several young Bald Eagles as we drove around, although that trip was all about the SNOW GEESE!  Want to read about it?  The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico. 

4. Eaglefest

Each winter, the town of Emory celebrates Rains County's designation as the Bald Eagle Capital of Texas with a 2 day festival, Eaglefest.  Barge and Bus tours take festival goers out to see the eagles, as well as self guided walking tours.  In town, enjoy festival activities, food booths, and educational presentations by conservation groups. 

5.  Lake Texoma

If you have more money than I do, you might want to schedule a bald eagle tour aboard an air boat!  This is the only one we have never done... but I sure want to!!

6. Fairfield Lake State Park

Each year people flock out to Fairfield Lake State Park to see the returning Bald Eagles that winter on the lake, no doubt dining on the lake's supply of stocked red drum (redfish)!  Park rangers will suggest better viewing sites.  This is a great park for family camping, too! 

7.  Mary Manor Preserve at the Katy Prairie Conservancy

 This 200 acre preserve, West of Houston, is made up of wetlands and old rice fields.  It offers a perfect opportunity to spot Bald Eagles, as well as many other sought after Texas migratory birds. 


Want more locations?  Visit Bald Eagle Information to learn about eagle sightings around Texas, and post your own sightings!  Good Luck! 


My Mommy Tips

• Most of these locations are "kinda out there".  Be sure you fill up your gas tank before arriving, a wildlife refuge is a lousy place to run out of gas, albeit a beautiful one. 
• Pack a lunch and plan to spend the day.  Take sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable shoes for walking the trails.  Bring along a book to read under a tree, or a frisbee to make a playful day!
• You and your children will enjoy birds so much more if you can recognize even just a few.  Purchase a field guide to take with you. 
• Don't forget a pair of binoculars.  They don' t need to be expensive to help you sight these Big Birds!! Take a kid friendly pair for your younger children, too!
• If you spot one, you will want to remember it!  Take your camera!  My four year old has a Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera he loves.  The photos aren't great, but I love that he is learning to appreciate what he sees when looking in the camera! 

If you want to see a BALD EAGLE up very close, visit Grace at the Texas State Aquarium.  She is a stunning bird who was found injured in Alaska, rehabilitated but not able to be released. 

My Top Texas Destinations for November

I love November in Texas!  The hurried pace of October is over, leaving only time to watch the leaves fall and dream of Thanksgiving dinner.  These are some of my favorite places to visit in Texas, and I would love to hear about some of your favorites, too!

 

1.  Fossil Rim, Glen Rose Texas

Amid all the exotic animals at this huge, drive through animal park, my favorites in the fall are the native ones!  Beautiful white tail deer come up to your car alongside the antelope, and wild turkeys can be seen throughout the park.  Visit the park, spend the night in one of their "safari tents", bunkhouses or for a more luxurious stay, The Lodge.  Don't miss their Murder Mystery Dinner and Tour on November 10th.  On a previous trip, we stayed in the Bunkhouses, and had a wonderful time!  Read about our visit last year; Fossil Rim in November, Glen Rose. 

2.  Lost Maples State Natural Area 

For a look at beautiful fall foliage, you can't beat a visit to Lost Maples State Natural Area.  The native Bigtooth Maples in their autumn colors last about two weeks in November.  Take your camera and a sense of adventure, hiking throughout the park is exciting and a little strenuous due to the rocky terrains and hill country topography.  The camp sites are limited, as are the number of cars allowed in the park at one time, and lines can be long, so visit early or on weekdays if possible! 

3.  Take in a Texas Thanksgiving Day Parade -

Many of our major cities host Thanksgiving Day Parades, making them Turkey Day traditions.  The El Paso Sun Bowl Parade is celebrating it's 76th year, and the HEB Holiday Houston Parade has been a tradition for almost 60 years!  

4.   Texas Citrus Season

Beautiful, red grapefruit grown in the Rio Grande Valley is in season!  Purchase some and enjoy, or find new recipes to make that highlight the official Texas State Fruit, which was designated in 1993.   

 

 

5.  Nine Flags Festival in Nacogdoches

Celebrate the season in Nacogdoches, the oldest city in Texas, at their annual Nine Flags Festival!  Unlike the rest of Texas, 9 flags actually flew over the city since it's inception in 1685!   The charming town has daily (and nightly events), and on November 24th is the much anticipated Wassail Fest! 

6.  The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Not all events in Texas are to be celebrated, but should be remembered and memorialized.  The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas chronicles the death of President John F. Kennedy, and the people involved in that sad day in American on November 22, 1963.  We visited the museum last year after I finished reading, 11/22/63 by Stephen King,  http://havingfuninthetexassun.blogspot.com/2012/03/sixth-floor-museum.html. 

 

7.  Horseback riding in Caprock Canyons State Park

Enjoy the beautiful fall scenery as you ride along on a guided trail ride!  Arrange to go horseback riding through the canyons and rugged countryside with Quitaque Riding Stables.  Explore the amazing land of Caprock Canyons State Park, which also offers camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and a chance to view the 80+ free roaming bison of the official Texas Bison Herd that call the park home.    

8.  Sweet Potatoes, Bright Star Farms in Alba 

Take a drive to East Texas and visit Bright Star Farms.  Purchase some Texas grown sweet potatoes for a pie or Thanksgiving Dinner.  I love sweet potatoes served everyway, baked, in casseroles, pies, fried crisp (with a little sugar sprinkled on top), but my favorite is mashed with heavy cream and mixed with a small can of Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce!  Whew, these are spicy, but with a GREAT flavor!!

 

 

9.  Texas Youth Hunting Program

Hunting is big in Texas, and if you would like the opportunity to take your child/children hunting, the Texas Youth Hunting Program offers workshops, information, as well as safe and affordable hunts for Texas Youth and an adult caregiver.  Not sure about hunting?  Why not let your child participate in their Texas Youth Outdoor Writing Competition? 

10.  Texas football 

TCU plays Texas on Thanksgiving Day, for the first time, replacing the longtime rivalry of Texas A&M and University of Texas!  Dallas will also host the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving Day, too! 

11.  Fishing

You just can't beat fall fishing in Texas!  Texas Parks and Wildlife knows this, and host plenty of opportunities to get your gear wet.  From fishing derbies to fly fishing instruction, check out their Calendar of Events.  November is also a great time to plan an offshore fishing trip, consider chartering a boat, some specialize in family fishing trips!  YUM, Fresh Red Snapper!!  

12.  The 2012 Marfa Home Tour and Symposium 

Experience the beautiful adobe structures and architecture of Marfa for this Special Event being held the first weekend in November. 

13.  Big Bend Ranch Special November Ranch Thanksgiving Dinner

Visit the Sauceda Headquarters at Big Bend Ranch State Park for a special Thanksgiving Dinner.  Reservations are required, but only $15 a person and include park entrance. 

 

 

 

 

14.  Learn about the Native Americans that called Texas "Home"

Although the Wampanoag Indians, with whom the Pilgrims shared their first Thanksgiving, lived in far to the North of Texas, November is still a wonderful time to learn about the Native Americans who called Texas home.  The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in Livingston host the Bulls and Arrows Bull Riding event, and an Indian Arts and Crafts Fair in November.  Caddo Mounds State Historic Site in Alto is a wonderful place to learn about the indigent Caddoan Indians   Fort Martin Scott in Frederickburg is a restored United States Army Outpost.  Learn about the Meusebach- Comanche Treaty, and their present day fight with the Former Texas Rangers Association!   Or take the Fate Bell Shelter Tour at Seminole Canyon State Park, as guides take you to see American Indian Rock Paintings, estimated to be about 12,000 years old. 

15. National Take a Hike Day, November 17th

There are so many wonderful places to explore in Texas, pick a trail and go!

16.  Leonids Meteor Shower

The Leonids Meteor Shower should peak on November 17th, offers a good view in a nearly moonless sky!  Visit Franklin Mountains State Park for an evening of Melodies Under the Milky Way, as a local musician plays and after the concert enjoy a presentation about the night skies. 

17. Visit a pecan farm

Pecans are ready for your pies, so why not visit a local pecan farm?  The Frio Pecan Farm is the perfect Texas Hill Country getaway, and they even offer overnight accomodations so you can relax, sit back and peel a few! 

 

 

 

18.  Veterans Day

Veterans Day is November 11th.  Take some time to recognize this important day to your children.  Hang your American Flag, get down some old pictures of family members who have served, or visit one of the National Cemeteries in Texas. 

 

 

 

 

19.  King Ranch's 22nd Annual Ranch Hand Breakfast

Each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the legendary King Ranch host a Ranch Hand Breakfast!  In addition to eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, they also serve up a big helping of life on the largest ranch in Texas!  Watch team roping and old-time cow camp cooking demos, plus much more!  Spend the entire weekend in Kingsville, and enjoy "Historic Kingville Celebrates the Ranch Hand"!

Paddling Village Creek and Lake Arlington

How we got started....

 

When our oldest son was 5, my daughter 3 and our youngest not even a thought, Santa gave us a Family Christmas Gift, a canoe.  It was the start of a wonderful hobby/obsession for us as a family.  We joined a local paddling club, and enjoyed attending events with other families,  Now, 7 years later, we still love to get out on the water as a family, although our oldest now has his own kayak, and has even raced a few times.  We are always excited to take on a new paddling trail, creek or river. 

Lake Arlington offers some nice parks for families, good fishing and a couple of nice chances to get out on the water. 

There is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Paddling Trail on the lake.  The trail is 10.9 miles and goes around the edges of the lakes.  This is a nice and easy float, perfect for the family and new paddlers.  You can put in or take out at Richard Simpson Park, and travel around the lake to Bowman Springs.  Richard Simpson park is the home of the Arlington Yacht Club, and on Saturdays you may get a chance to watch the races.  Bowman Springs offers restrooms, as well as a nice little playground for the kids, and a fishing pier.

If what you are looking for is a run instead of a float, then head out Everman Kennedale Rd. to put in on Village Creek.  Lake Arlington receives water from Richland Chambers Reservior in Navarro County.  The water is pumped into Village Creek at a pump station, and it supplies the creek with clear water for a nice paddle, even in summer when most Texas creeks aren't navigable.  Put in under the bridge at the pump station.  If you are lucky enough, they will be pumping water when you put in, giving you a nice ride! 

My husband went out a couple of weeks ago with his brother, Jeremy and a friend.  With all the baseball and soccer games, the kids and I just haven't been able to go with them yet.  Jeremy wore a small camera on his hat, a GoPro Hero, which took pictures every few minutes.  The pics in this post are from that camera.  Thanks, Jerms!

Can you see the water flowing from the pump station?  Yep, that's your drinking water, Arlington! 

 

The ride is mostly smooth......

With a few riffles and rapids mixed in for fun when the water is running!

 

Don't you just love this old train bridge?  You can take out just past I-20, or continue onto Bowman Springs Park.  You can also stop in the lake and get in a little fishing, too.  We really enjoy following The Fishing Librarian on facebook, an Arlington librarian who offers some good fishing tips on the lake and some good reads, too! 

 

 

Brazos Bend State Park

We spent the weekend camping, playing and not fishing at Brazos Bend State Park, located about an hour south of downtown Houston!  We had an amazing time, just look at all there is to do! 

Camping

Brazos Bend State Park offers some beautiful campsites, far away from any alligators, for tent and RV camping.  After a dinner on the grill and a relaxing evening sitting around the campfire, we slept in our tent under some beautiful old pecan trees.  As do most state parks, Brazos Bend also offers shelter camping.  Shelters are great because you don't need a tent, just cots or air mattresses since they are empty inside.  I loved this Shelter #1, because it's right next to the playground, a huge plus when camping with kids! 

It also comes with a couple of roommates who live in the attic, three cute baby squirrels!  This one was so curious, he kept coming out to look at us.  Like a good roommate, they stayed in their room, and can't get into the shelter!   

 

 

 

Hiking and Biking

If you love to hike or bike, or just watch animals, you have got to visit Brazos Bend!  The park offers over 30 miles for hiking and biking, some paved trail and most off road but easy as the terrain is mostly level.  The very LONG roads through the park make for excellent riding, too!  The park itself covers over 5,000 acres !  It's BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike) because the park doesn't rent them, although they should!  My kids loved climbing the observation tower on one of the trails! 

The trails are beautiful as they wrap around the 6 lakes in the park.  Much of the trails are wooded, under some beautiful oak trees draped in moss! 



 

 

In addition to the trails being beautiful, there is the wildlife!  We spotted our first alligator under the fishing pier!  My four year old was so excited, and cried because he wanted to take him home! 

We also came across a mother alligator eating a fish and her babies hanging out around her. In all, I think we counted about 12, and they are so adorable! 

But we saw some large gators, too!  We spotted this crazy guy trying his skill as an alligator whisperer while we were in the observation tower!  He should have stayed on the trail like he was told, but the alligator thought he was delicious!  Just kidding, that's my husband. 

Of course, there is lots of other windlife in the park.  We saw some amazing ducks, birds and waterfowl!  It looks like this silly turtle is posing for us, but he's really just stretching his limbs out, trying to catch as much sun as possible on the overcast day.  Turtles and alligators are both cold blooded, and rely on the heat of the sun to maintain body warmth. 

 

 

 

Nature Center

We really enjoyed the park's nature center, filled with information about the park's early history.  Covered by a shallow sea millions of years ago, ocean fossils have been found by at nearby Damon Mound Salt Dome, as well as prehistoric arrowheads.  During the years that Texas was under Mexico's rule, the land was part of one of the first Anglo land grants. 

The Nature Center also houses native snakes and reptiles, and has interpretive displays of the parks three major ecosystems. 

 

Inside we met a 13 year old park volunteer "in training" who was showing off the baby alligators.  The babies were hatched in the park, and will be returned to the wild when they are a year old.  Brazos Bend State Park has a terrific volunteer program, and offers classes for those interested.   The volunteers help with the numerous programs being offered in the park. 



 

 George Observatory

We missed the shows at the George Observatory on Saturday, (kid's darn baseball and soccer games), but I was still excited to get to go see the observatory (and thinking I want to come back when I learn more about the Challenger Learning Center!). 

 

 

 But this is what we found guarding the trail! 

 

 

  I can't tell you how startled I was to see him laying there!  At first, I really thought it was a statue or something.  By the way, I took this picture without using my camera's zoom or anything, he was THAT close!  We gave him his space, and came back a little later to watch as he slipped in the water, then continued on up to the observatory.   

 

Trees

There are some of the most amazing trees in the park.  Big, beautiful oaks and pecans whose limbs just reach all the way down to the earth!  We sat beneath one and pretended we were the first Texans to live here, when these trees were just tiny seedlings!