Pizza Grandpa's bug arrives to its new home

It was delivered at 9:30 on Sat night. Rick was happy to get it home to Texas. We had an orange super beetle we bought together even before we got married that I drove; I loved it. This is a 1977, ours would have been a few years older; it seems so small now. I don't remember it being that small. Also noisy. It doesn't have AC, ours didn't either.

New hiking paths

Over a year ago Rick and I, quite by accident, discovered a new hiking area. It was quite fun, lots of Texas trees, cedars, live oaks, and another tree with an unusual seed ball. I need to do research and discover its name, but I do see it all over and kind of looks like a live oak. Anyways...

When we first discovered the trail it had just rained a bunch the night before and the trail was muddy and slippery, had steep places with uneven rocks so we didn't go far. It was before Rick got his hip fixed and he didn't want to fall.

This morning at 7am we got up, drove there (not far, just off 620). It was overcast, temp had dropped from the high 90s to 70s this morning, but still warm and quite humid. It begins in a nice park, concrete sidewalks, then to an asphalt trail, and then to a path, rocky and dirt. I had read some reviews on it back then and one review said it eventually led to a meadow and perhaps you might see some wild pigs.

We began walking, got to the meadow about 1 1/2 miles (by the steps on my Fitbit), which was actually quite small, to a fenced gate that said it was the Balcones Refuge area, fragile plants and such, no one allowed in. Saw no wild pigs (really wanted to see one, drag it home and throw it on the Traeger).  OK. We turned around and headed back. We came to a turn in the path and I turned. Rick said that wasn't the way, and he led on straight following a trail. Soon the path got smaller and smaller, rockier, weedier. We had to jump across a small stream. I told him I didn't remember it being this narrow. Finally we were ducking under tree branches, tripping over rocks and other forest debris. I said I don't think this is the right path. He went ahead, now there was no trail (we had been joking about getting lost and the zombies getting us).

Eventually we turned around and went back to the path that forked and took the other fork. About 15 feet from the up path was our path, turning right. It was a little tricky to find going the other way, I understand even more how hikers in larger wilderness areas can get onto wrong paths so easily. We got on the path leading us back to the park and all was well. The entire hike, including wrong turn, was 3 miles. We were both dripping with sweat from the humidity. Good thing it was early, overcast, and not hot.

The path is really quite pretty, with the trees almost forming a cave-like covering that went for most of the trail. Definitely want to return, perhaps with Paige and/or Jason. I will be so sad when we can no longer do our walking (hopefully will be 20 years from now).

These are the seed balls from the tree I want the name of

The below pics show the trail and the beginning of the wrong path, then the right one.

Pa Day card

A typical celebration day card from Jason. He needs to open his own store, his resources for finding these type of cards is unusual.

Outside in Nature

My soul/spirit is renewed by being outside in Nature. And that can just be looking at the flowering plants and green trees in my own backyard. I love even better to be in a wooded area and hiking, looking at the beauty.

This morning I was up and watering my outside plants. It is usually peaceful, quiet and still in the mornings and evenings in Cedar Park. I can hear the birds chirping, see the hummingbirds flying from plant to feeder.

It all gives me such a contented, peaceful feeling. Calms me. Renews me.

Yikes!

I get busy and forget that I want to blog as my life journal.
Let's see, what's been happening.

Rick went back to Indy to help Barbara and see his mom. So glad he is able to do that but he's tired of traveling. Won't be going back to Indy for several months. He is getting worn out.

I started a ketogenic/low carb high fat diet (meaning new way of eating) and lost 2 1/2 pounds in 4 days.

I'm a believer in the science of the lchf diet. I went off it a little on Sat and a lot on Sun. Back on today. I feel better and my reflux does better when I'm eating real whole foods and not many grains especially and carbs just in general.

Pics from townhouse

Pics can never do justice to how pretty something is, these are taken from the balcony.

Heading home to Austin

I have been here almost 3 weeks and have really enjoyed my time. It has gone quickly, I've been busy with kids and ggrrls. So happy I got to be here for all the end of year events with the ggrrls. The last thing is a dance recital, followed by a piano recital tonight, all for Stella.

The weather has turned beautiful. I will miss being here, will miss getting up for my walks around the lake and creek. Such a pretty place to walk. If we could find a home here, Daybreak is where I would choose to live when we move here.

Rick misses me (yay) and is ready to have me home, but he leaves next week for Indy. Then I get to miss him.

Scott and I went out to lunch at Mountain Mike's for the lunch buffet. Delish. I will also miss that young'in, along with my ggrrls, daughter and son (in-law).