Hello Texas Friends,
As many of you know, I am an avid hiker. Yesterday I walked 3.3 miles through brambles, climbed over logs, waded through streams, and finally made it to the reservoir.



Lots to see along the way!







I am fascinated by the plant life and fungus here.



More about that later... But I made it all the way to the water, and it was a wonderful trek.



Now I have a small confession to make. I got into boggy soil (won't really call it 'quicksand' - and sunk down almost to my knees. Had to crawl out, and lost both of my shoes. Hiked out in my socks, but I was laughing all the way! What an adventure!!!

Thank you for the beautiful tour! Shame about the shoes, but good thing you were wearing socks!

A funny ending to a great nature walk! Well done!

Thank you for sharing this walk - I used to love this kind of beauty in the hikes in which my late dh and I used to lose ourselves on nearby horse trails. I can't say I had to hike out in my socks after the goop on the other side of a creek sucked off my boots, because dh retrieved them for me. Any time one of us fell into a creek we were crossing, it was always me - he was so light footed - I don't think Gravity even realized he was on earth at the time - either physically or spiritually.

What a sweet message, @Bluespiral. Having just moved to Maryland, all of this is new to me - and I'm enjoying the exploring. A tiny part of my heart will always miss Texas, but the beauty here is astounding. More adventures to come!
I'm glad you got your boots back.

Mucky mud is just like quicksand… have lost many boots over the years in the same circumstances. Enjoyed your story.

I know this is the Texas forum....and I'm no longer a resident of that fine state. But this site is where I feel at home - so bear with me.

Another hike. The trail is more like "path-ish".



Having never experienced these fall colors before, I feel like I'm walking through a calendar. Don't know whether to look up or down. Beauty all around.



Not just the autumn leaves, but ferns and mosses, and lichen! Oh my!







Some of the deadfall is massive.



And the thickets are...well, thick.



But the color steals the show, even though the camera can't really capture it.



More walks to come...

Your illustrated walks are a real treat! Don't leave us!

GrammaChar Beautiful fall tapestry of color of the woods/forests never disappoints this time of year. Great share.‼️ The deciduous tree leaf color against evergreen background is a beautiful contrast and for what's to come .



This pic is taken from our pasture of the valley below showing fall color.


Opps not in Texas -Oregon. I had to join the color display of the forests and valley's here.

That is breathtaking!!!!! Beautiful composition!

GrammerChar….Well … Oh my ….Coming from such an accomplished photographer and artist .. I have to admit every once in awhile I get a lucky shot of something nature has given us thru the fall season.
For the acorn…. Need to include your painted acorns instead of the plain homogenous acorns provided. Bcorns… just luv them….

Wouldn't it be nice to incorporate all the talented gardeners here to include their artful versions of happy faces thru the whole gambit. A contest of sorts. Of course my imagination gets lost in translation.

Hello again. Went a few miles from the house today for another hiking adventure. The drive was spectacular!





Found another creek, interesting rocks, and so much more.





Will post more tomorrow; tonight I am a tiny bit tired. But what a fun day it was!

GrammaChar Very nice beautifully done pics. From these detailed lovely treasures of the forest pics I can almost smell the earth , trees and the dampness.
Don't u wish that the pics we share would become as engulfing as we experience it in
3-D. Maybe soon hi-tech we'll offer that option.
For sharing .

I'm back. Please let me know if I'm wearing out my welcome.
Just had a few more to share.





Anyone know what kind of tree this might be...



Came home via this road

The contrast between your fall there and what happens in most of Texas is stark. I know people who drove somewhere every year to catch the fall colors on the trees. Those same people stayed in Texas for a drive to see the wildflowers. Even my red oaks and Virginia creeper aren't consistent about having color and only do it occasionally. I'm guessing they'd be more consistent if they were exposed to a longer period of cooler days and night be a freeze. The first freeze tends to be abrupt here, going directly from very warm to some hours below freezing. Then the leaves just turn brown instead of having the color. I'm really enjoying your photos.

Lovely contributions never wear out their welcome here.

I'm not from Texas or live there….but I am going to be watching this thread now. Beautiful pictures and hikes!

Thank you so much for the kind comments. You do realize though that it only encourages me to take more photos...
I sincerely appreciate your support.

Snicker, when I sent pics home of the vistas I found while driving, my kids always asked why I was sending pics of Christmas cards to them. It makes me sad how much color representation we have lost in our photos and cellphone pics. Muck can also be found in the right places in Texas, I have had to get in it to pull calves stuck to their chins in it, very wearing on the body to fight, but having to go home sock/barefooted in Texas? Couldn't have been done. Goatheads, Sandburs cockleburs, bois d'arc, bull nettle, need I go on?
Beautiful calming peaceful pictures

GrammaChar said: Thank you so much for the kind comments. You do realize though that it only encourages me to take more photos...
I sincerely appreciate your support.

Bring it on!!