We are counting down the days to our walk and training is ongoing. It's hard to believe that we are down to 80 days already.
Jo Anne came out to visit this week and in addition to joining me for my daily 5-mile walks, we took a longer walk (orange trail) in the LBJ National Grasslands.
Arrived at the grasslands as the sun came up. I love this quote from Alfred Wainwright:
"Morning is the best part of the day for walking. The air is freshest then, the earth sweetest. The flowers preen themselves after their bath of dew, and stand erect with rare self-assurance, proud of their bright clean colours. The birds are happiest in the morning, and most lively then. They dart across the path before you, wheel and soar above the trees, swoop unerringly to their nests. They chatter and chirrup and sing in unending chorus, blithely contented and gay, and so very very glad to be alive." - AW
beginning of the trail
Parts of the trail were overgrown
And yes there are hills, although nothing like we will experience in England
There were also several ponds
Asclepias milkweed: notice the split fruit (pod) revealing the seeds (usually 50-100). The little white "parachute" allows the wind to carry them and then you have lots of milkweed.
All parts of the plant contain toxic, cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness and confusion in small amounts.
Although it is potentially poisonous, the plant has been used for medicinal purposes as well. Many indigenous tribes applied milkweed sap for wort removal and chewed the root to treat dysentery. It was also used in salves and infusions to treat swelling, rashes, coughs, fevers and asthma.
Best to really know what you're doing with this plant.
more water
Jo Anne pointing out one of the orange flags that marked the trail.
There were lots and lots of spider webs (I always remember my English teacher telling me a lot is an area of land and not acceptable in formal writing). Fortunately, there is nothing formal about my writing. 😀
sun coming through the trees
more trail
watching for those orange flags
one of a couple of gates we went through
Time for a break (water and a snack), and to let the sweat on our backs dry out a bit. I know that's gross but it was HOT!
one of the many we saw
on the final stretch
We decided the best way to walk this trail in the summer is the opposite direction from the All Trails map info. We ended up walking all the open area in the direct sun when it was unbearably hot. If we had started the other way, we would have been walking through the trees when it got so hot. The trail is definitely worth walking again so I will test my hypothesis.
20,146 steps and 8.9 miles (this hike)
87,323 steps and 38.4 miles (this week)
not a bad week of training
Carol you two are going to have a wonderful trip and so wise in preparing like this. Thank you for taking me along with you through your writing and pictures! Cathie
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathie! And thanks for signing your name so I know which “anonymous” I’m talking to 😁.
DeleteThe good thing about hiking during the summer is there are fewer trail riders. My hat is off to you enduring the heat. I’m more like the deer that enjoy the summer sun from the protection of the shade trees.
ReplyDeleteSo true Kody. We didn’t see another soul out there, rider or walker. I’m pretty sure if we had seen any riders Jo Anne would have been hitching a ride! 🤣
DeleteThe trail really was great. Unfortunately we didn’t really know which way we needed to start, having never walked it before. We were both plugging along nicely and thoroughly enjoying it. Then the heat hit. Once we got out of the shade and into more open fields, I knew I was in trouble. Having suffered a full blown heat stroke about 10 years go, I have a ceiling of about 80 degrees in full sun, then things start to get ugly. We didn’t realize it was in the mid to upper 90’s by then. At that point I was literally trying to just get from one small patch of shade to the next. We had to do some backtracking, which didn’t help any. Poured water from our packs over my head, saving a little to drink. Finally, knowing I was in real trouble, I told Carol to go ahead. I thought if she could get to the car and get the AC on, at least I would cool off quickly when, and if, I ever got there. She got to the car and headed my direction. I was praying I wasn’t going to pass out and she was praying she wouldn’t get stuck on the sandy trail. God heard our prayers. I was much closer to the car than either of us thought. As soon as I stepped into the car everything started cramping up. If you know, you know. If you don’t there is no explaining it. She hurried as fast as she could to the nearest little store for electrolytes and ice. What a day! This is why our sojourns are in Spring and Fall.
ReplyDelete