Adventurenet.net

Sunday January 7th at about 4:30 am.

I left Caddo Lake State Park (loudly) with the goal of driving south towards the state parks near Houston when I came across a car that was teetering over a ledge into a ditch.

A person was standing outside of the car and no one appeared to be injured.

It was too late for me to turn around, but I was in this part of Texas for the gas station just down the road, so after fueling up the car I drove back to check on the person and their car.

It felt disrespectful to take a picture of the situation and so I present to you with an artistic rendering of what I saw this morning:

A young man named Jose had attempted to drive onto the road from a parking area, but due to the lack of street lights and lack of road cones in the construction area it was not possible to tell that the two different paved areas were not currently connected and so his car went over the lip and then tilted forward.

Luckily no damage was caused, but all four tires were in the air and thus the car was going nowhere until it could be professionally yanked back up onto the pavement.

Jose has already called for assistance by the time I found him, but it was a cold night and he did not have a coat, only a blanket that he kept in his trunk.

So we sat in my car and stayed warm chatting until the tow truck arrived.

Jose is from the Western part of Texas, the son of a preacher and joined the Navy as soon as he turned eighteen.

He was on his way back to be redeployed after a visit home, but this incident delayed this just a bit.

I did not stay to see the car fully returned to it’s horizontal position, but I did give Jose my number and told him that if there were any issues and that the car wouldn’t run to call me and that I would do whatever I could to help.

I did not get a call, so I suspect that Jose did just fine and was able to complete his drive to Louisiana and return to duty.

Next stop: Martin Dies Jr. State Park which opens at 7 am.

This is a park that I have been very interested in visiting.

When I look at the events that are being held at various state parks around Texas, Martin Dies Jr. State Park seems to have the most.

It really feels like there’s something cool happening there.

Unfortunately today is not one of these days, but I believe that the camping Dutch oven event from the day before is more than enough.

Remember when I said the park opens at 7 am?

That is true, but the HQ doesn’t open until 8:30.

I waited.

After checking in I took a long and slow walk along a nature trail and played around with the macro lens for my phone.

Until a tree stole my hat.

I retrieved the hat and continued on my journey to take more pictures of the amazing foliage and wildlife that can be found here.

This park was smaller than I was expecting it to be, but I am so glad that I visited as this is an area unlike any that I have ever visited before.

Next stop: Big Thicket National Preserve.

I spent about 15 minutes here chatting with the rangers and asking about what to do, where to visit and how to reserve a campsite.

This place is very laid back about camping. Just let the rangers know you’ll be staying and then hike around and pick a spot.

Very chill.

The part that I am most interested in is that there are two different carnivorous plants that live here and I took notes about where to hike and camp to see these.

I look forward to returning.

I also grabbed a stamp and a sticker for my national passport book.

Is this cheating?

On to the next state park: Village Creek State Park.

Unfortunately this park was closed and this was not documented on the state park website or on Google maps.

I did update Google maps about this temporary closure in hopes of helping out the next unexpecting traveler.

With this unexpected turn of events I head to the next location, Sea Rim State Park.

There are two things that stand out to me right away with Sea Rim State Park and they are the hikes that are a bit different.

The hike that I went on is the one pictured in the sign above.

It is a hike along a boardwalk over alligator infested waters.

Luckily for me there are no alligators this time of year.

Despite how much I was assured by the rangers that the alligators have no interest in me I do not know if I would be willing to visit this during alligator season.

Walking on a small boardwalk a few inches over the heads of alligators is a bit terrifying.

I’m sure one day I’ll see an alligator and be like “Oh, yeah. They’re fine. They won’t mess with you.” but that day is not today.

Oh cool, a lost crab hand in the water.

That’s probably molting and not murder.

Oh, I forgot to mention the other trail.

There’s a kayaking trail, too.

Again, amongst the alligators, but I have never heard of a kayaking trail until now and I would like to try this some time.

This was meant to be the last destination, but I had a bit of extra time due to the unexpectedly closed park and upon looking at my map of how to return home to Austin I noticed that I would be traveling through Houston.

Which has a state park right in the middle of it.

Off to Sheldon Lake State Park!

So this place has what used to be hatchery ponds that have been allowed to overgrow like a scene from a zombie movie and it is amazing.

No two of these lakes are the same. Each has its own vibe and I love it.

Example 1.

Example 2.

Example 3.

Truly fascinating to see how different these are.

Another item of note in this park is the John Jacob Observation Tower.

I had trouble checking in when I first arrived at this park because there is no fee or need to check in.

I did try to do this, though, and ended up having a wonderful conversation with the park’s superintendent.

Got a bit of swag as well.

And of course there are the alligators.

🐊 😓

I made a quick stop at a Half Priced Books in Houston and then drove home and fell asleep fully clothed.

It was a good weekend.

Keanu says “Raaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!”