Hiking Instead of Biking

I was going to post a ton of pictures of our adventure today on Facebook and Instagram but decided to just write about the day on the blog instead.  This way I can share more pictures and say more about them. Lucky you.  Plus, I can tick that "pay attention to the blog" box in my life.  Lucky me.

Preface:

TJ had carpal tunnel surgery 8 days ago on his right hand.  

TJ usually rides his bike about 50+ miles on Saturday mornings and probably 50 more during the week.  This means that TJ burns a lot of calories and uses up a lot of energy during the week.  It also means that he is gone for many hours which leaves me alone for many hours....and I enjoy that time.  

TJ realized the day after his surgery that he is conditioned, after 10 years, to wake up early on Saturday morning, get in the car and drive somewhere, get on a bike and ride, have lunch, come home and spend the rest of the day knowing that he has done something and burned a million calories doing it.

TJ also realized that he needs to do something to burn the million calories, other than ride his bike for the next few weeks.  So now he is hiking instead of biking...and apparently so am I.

And now, the adventure. 

The realization that TJ needs to drive and exercise on Saturdays lead to a wild goose chase last weekend.  We drove out to nearby Brazos Bend State Park last Saturday for a hike.  Sadly, the park was full and we did not have the foresight to make a reservation.  We left the park, disappointed, and still with no foot miles under our ever tighter belts.  On the way home we visited a new park near our house and finally walked a few miles.  TJ was extremely disappointed to find out he would have to walk for the rest of the day to burn the same number of calories he burns on his 50+ mile bike rides. 

Not exactly the most lovely of walking venues!  
But if you want to stop by later I think there is a movie showing.

Not to be turned away again, this weekend TJ made reservations at the State Park and we drove back out there this morning for a hike.  We were treated to a nice spring cool front which made our walk very enjoyable.  Judging by the welcome sign and all of the literature, there are alligators in the park.  We had a lovely walk around the lakes and kept our eyes open for wildlife.  We were not disappointed!

Queue the Jaws soundtrack...

Incoming

Gator!

We were very excited to see not one but two alligators which guarantees I would never camp here...if I camped.  The area was lovely and of course I really enjoyed the trees, the flowers and the water.  We did not however burn a million calories on our meandering hike.

Fill me up buttercup!

We kept our distance!

Not sure what these are, but they sure are cute!

Gotta love Spanish moss in the breeze!

Since we had not driven quite enough on a Saturday morning for TJ, we got back in the car and headed north.  After all, it is wildflower season in Texas!  Last year, our first time out of our immediate neighborhood after life shut down for Covid, was a drive out to look at the bluebonnets.  There was no traffic, there were no people, nothing was open and I remember thinking we were being so risky driving around looking at flowers.  It was very early Covid and none of us knew what we were dealing with...and maybe we still don't.  Today felt much different, in a good way...except for the traffic.  I miss those days without traffic.

We ate lunch outside, at a restaurant!  We then found a nice back road with plentiful bluebonnet fields.  I really can't get enough of them.  They were at their peak today!  We soaked in the green and purple fields, the blue skies, the light traffic and the fresh pollen-filled air (we were both very allergic!).  

He was just posing for me!

Perfection

Behind...or in front of...the scenes

On the other side of the fence!

I love these pink ones as much as the bluebonnets!

We were very lucky to find so many fields just full of flowers!  We had heard there was a Bluebonnet Festival nearby and thought we would check it out.  When we got to the main road we were very surprised!  We had no idea that everyone in Houston had driven out to Bluebonnet country for the festival, or at least for some bluebonnet family photos.  We looked at each other, we looked at the traffic and decided neither of us needed anything they were selling at the festival that badly!  We turned around and happily headed back on our backroad.

"Hey...you guys...get off the main road...the best flowers are over here!"

Smile kids!

This is another side of bluebonnet season.  Everyone goes out and finds a field to take a great family photo.  We do it too, so I can't judge!  I really enjoy driving to the opposite side of the field to see it from a different angle.  This particular field was amazing and went on forever!  It really is a good season!

The other side of the hill

The surprise at the top of the hill.

Here's looking at spring in Texas!

P.S.

We did not burn a million calories today.  Guess we will be back at it tomorrow.