This photo of my boys running down an Indian ceremonial mound between Alto and Weches, Texas captures what I like about family road trips. Caddoan Mounds State Park was unfortunately and inexplicably closed for the holidays, but this mound was just down the road a bit, in the middle of two fields with a historical marker explaining its significance. Very serendipitous! The kids ran up and down, up and down, over and over again. They had a blast! For more information about this culture, see Boots Tex's Nabedache box.We're just back from an East Texas letterboxing/rockhounding trip. We found a number of great and thoughtful boxes, and some fantastic petrified wood pieces. We had fun searching for sharks' teeth and fossils in Jacksonville, exploring the site of an old Iron Ore Foundry near Rusk, seeing the devastating changes wrought at Martin Dies State Park from the hurricane and generally traveling around and exploring. It was a great way to close out 2007.
I really appreciate boxes that are thoughtfully placed. When we're visiting from out of town, I like to find the odd bits of history and the interesting locations that we perhaps wouldn't see if you didn't plant a letterbox there. We've really learned to focus on these sorts of quality boxes, and not feel that we have to get every box in an area (we never could anyway!)
As a family, we like to go places we've never been, visiting towns with names we've heard but haven't seen. You never know where some jewel is, just waiting by the side of the road, like these mounds. We were lucky to have great weather--a bit cool, but fair and sunny. The only thing wrong with our trip? Somehow we never found a diner with great pie.
And just for mother of five, we did find this guy while on a great hike at Mission Tejas state park. My youngest stepped on its tail without seeing him. That's why you've got to keep your eyes on the trail!
Mission Tejas was a beautiful spot to hike and enjoy the day. I'd love to go back and camp there someday.
So for 2008, I wish you all much joy and happiness.
4 comments:
Dewberry,
Thanks for stopping by Love's Lookout. Glad you enjoyed your trip through East Texas.
blue Butterfly
Well, luckily, your snake's head shape seems to that it is indicate non-venomous.
It must have been pretty sleepy to stick around for photos after getting trompled on.
You see, what have I told you? You simply cannot hike in Texas without seeing a snake. Be aware, little ones, they are EVERYWHERE...no matter how cold it is. Good snake lookout eye, my friend. MO5
Your trip sounds like a lot of fun (except for the snake part). I love to hunt for fossils and sharks teeth. We used to find sharks teeth at the beach but now we find them in the deserts of New Mexico! Anyway, happy new year!!
-Astro D
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