Okay, so I used the old title ploy to sucker you into reading. Well, it worked didn't it? I was in the woods. I was cavorting. I was with a hot blonde. Sue me.

The daughter is home from school and this is the second trip we've taken to Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway. We haven't done the trailway yet. It is 42 miles of old railway bed that has been converted to a hike and bike trail that wanders between Mineral Wells, Tx and Weatherford, Tx. Maybe we will get to it someday on our bikes.

 Last weekend we spent the night in the park in one of the screened shelters. We had a fantastic time and wanted to hike the trails within the park. We returned today to do so.  

 The small lake is first thing you encounter at the park. No jet skis or ski boats. Fishing, canoeing and kayaking only.

 The park is located in what is considered to be some of the last remaining areas of pristine Crosstimbers Forest. Post Oak, Blackjack Oak, Cedar Elm and Eastern Red Cedar predominate. I'm not much on fishing, but apparently the fishing is pretty good

 Here is the hot blond I spent the day with, my daughter. Being the avid hiker, backpacker and horsewoman that she is, she uses a day hike like today as a prep run for real backpacking in order to stay in trail ready physical condition. She didn't need the pack. It was there to keep her in shape for when it is needed.

I've attempted to figure our how to enlarge the photos, but no luck. Texas is still in the middle of a signifigant drought. The above photo is a streambed, not a trail. I don't see any water, do you?

 Because of the season and the drought, the trail is not particularly pretty or green right now. This is some funky type of lichen growing on a young Cedar Elm  tree.

And it isn't Texas without some prickly pear cactus, right?

The trail we hiked is a 5 mile, multipurpose trail. It allows hikers, horses and bikes. We went early enough that in the 5 miles, we saw only one other person, a gal on a beautiful horse, until we neared the end of the trail. Photo below is fairly typical of the trail. 

 Returning to the trailhead, there were several groups tending their mounts. This guy looked like he was ready to get out of the trailer and onto the trail!

It was rough, but beautiful country. I'll try to go back in the spring so I can show how green this place can really be. If we get some rain, that is.

One last look at the dry stream bed, hoping to see water in it next time.