Nails Creek Unit, Lake Somerville Trailway

The Lake Somerville Trailway State Park Trip is a go!

We hiked the north side of the lake previously, from the Birch Creek Unit, now we are going to try the souhern trail, called the Nails Creek Unit.

The northern trail was about 3.5 miles, an easy hike, along the lakeside. It is an equestrian trail therefore camping accommodations are nicer than most primitive sites - with wooden benches (leave the tripod chair!), a water trough & pump (leave the extra water), and a luxury for Texas backpacking -- a campfire ring. This really makes the atmosphere of the camping, chatting in the evening and morning coffee are a wonderful experience. The camping toilet is right by the campsite also. As for the water - we did bring a charcoal filter, pumped into a clean cooking pot, and filtered the water from the pot into our water bottles.

Looking forward to our Nails Creek Experience! Will report back on the camping.

Pedernales in the Fall...brrrr

This is pronounced Per-de-na-les even though it is spelled Pe-der nales - go figure. Gorgeous park, remote, peaceful. Considering definitely for women's backpack trip! Lots of running rivers, creeks and springs- wonderful, even a waterfall. Long hike of 7.5 miles - the WHOLE fam did it, whew! Even Tuck. Okay- it was freezing Thanksgiving weekend, even with a propane heater from Walmart! Next time - camping in warmer weather or bringing an electric blanket!!

What Are You Tuned Into?

There is a little story about a busy street corner in the city. One man asks, "Do you hear that?" The other says, "All I hear is the cars, people and city noise". The other man says, "Can you hear the cricket chirping?" The other man, after listening carefully, tunes in to a cricket chirping coming from the base of a tree, surrounded by a small patch of grass, and a decorative, iron fence at the base of the tree. The one man drops some coins, and everyone around them immediately begins looking on the ground around them.

Even though I do not live in the most beautiful place, I thank God for the toads in my backyard, that live under the bricks, by my water spigot. I also love seeing the red-faced ibises and whistling ducks as they head out for work in the morning.

Leave No Trace Principles

Leave No Trace principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
For more detailed information on the Leave No Trace principles above, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

I had a pair of Raichle hiking boots I loved, and I wore through one re-soling, then decided to retire them after a toe blowout. I wore those boots everyday in the field and they served me well for many years. I never had a blister with those boots, through work and pleasure, and hope my next pair will be just as faithful. Take care of your feet- they can make or break your trip. Here are some tips to PREVENT blisters which is easier than treating them. Happy Hiking!!

BLISTERS - from REI.com Backcountry Health Topics
One little blister, the product of friction that rubs skin back and forth in a concentrated area, can ruin an otherwise wonderful backpacking journey.

Prevention: Blisters are easier to avoid than they are to fix. Make sure you start every backpacking trip with footwear that is broken in and fits you well. Also wear clean, properly sized socks. Consider wearing two pairs of socks—a lightweight wicking liner and a thicker cushioning sock—to lessen the chance of abrasion.

Tip: On the trail, address foot discomfort as soon as it develops. A quick response can often stop a blister before it becomes serious. At the first sign of irritation, put a small patch of protective material—moleskin, 2nd Skin or even duct tape—over the affected area to minimize abrasion.

Check out more backcountry health topics at http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backcountry+health+topics.html#Blisters

Texas State Parks - What Are Your Faves?

My Top 5 Visited, (not in any order):

1. Palo Duro SP - beautiful, rugged desert, colorful canyons
2. Guadalupe SP - river tubing & swimming

3. Goose Island SP - great fishing & birding

4. Huntsville SP - horseback riding & tall pines

5. Dinosaur SP - nice hiking and creek

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/

Trip Calculator

http://www.tripcalculator.org/ Trip Calculator uses distance, fuel economy, & fuel costs to help figure out how much travel costs will be. Good for budgeting and planning.