[at-l] until this list gets back on track

[ladykitty at sbcglobal.net (April Flowers)]

Sky, what a wonderful suggestion!

Hi everyone, I know I haven't posted in a while, and I didn't get to do
my section hike this summer as planned (my father died and that sort of
threw everything into a tailspin)  I thought I would talk about a short
little walk I took recently.  

I grew up in Southeast Texas with the Big Thicket National Preserve as
basically my backyard.  Last weekend, I went down to visit my mom and
took my Aunt and Uncle on a walk through the shortest trail in the
system.  Yeah, I know that just under 2 miles doesn't really constitute
a hike, but it does work well as a cool walk through green woods. 

For those of you who haven't been in the Thicket, it truly is Gods
Garden.  Five ecosystems, everything from sub-desert to sub-tropical
meet in this area.  There are plants and animals here that don't exist
anywhere else.  We have legends and ghosts and hidden cemeteries and
everything you can think of. 

On this day, even at 10:30 in the morning, the humidity was staggering
beneath the forest. The mosquitos were swarming in huge numbers trying
to carry us off.  But as we walked I pointed out evidence of armadillos
rooting, deer tracks.... we saw a beautiful snake and a lot of brand new
baby frogs in various colors.  I walked them through pine forest and
into a cedar baygall.  Here we found a single cedar tree that must have
been over 200 foot tall, each side of it's split trunk was 10 foot
around easily.  On the floor of the forest, there were thick rattan
vines, woodleaf ferns, leatherleaf ferns, native azaleas, spider
lilies.... 

For me, the highlight of that trail is on the back side of the loop
where there is a black wrought iron bridge created by the wpa to cross
Village Creek.  There are many other creeks in this area, but Village
reaches and feeds every section of the Thicket.  It is deceptively
beautiful at this spot with fallen logs reaching across from bank to
bank, turtles sunning themselves and fish jumping for damselflies and
dragonflies. I say deceptively because the creek is known for a fierce
undercurrent that has killed and hurt many unwary or careless person.
It undercuts the banks and in places houses and cars have fallen in and
become part of the underwater scenery.  For someone who knows and
respects the dangers, though, Village Creek is a place of beauty, and
sustenance.  The fishing is great, the swimming incredibly cold. 

If you ever get the chance, the Big Thicket Visitors Center, and the
start of this particular loop (which connects to much longer trail
system) are located just north of Kountze, Texas on highway 69.  

April Flowers

-----Original Message-----
From: at-l-bounces@backcountry.net [mailto:at-l-bounces@backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Bror8588@aol.com
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 7:29 AM
To: dianet@midsouth.rr.com; at-l@backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [at-l] until this list gets back on track

In a message dated 7/16/04 08:21:38 Eastern Daylight Time, 
dianet@midsouth.rr.com writes:


> Count me among the many, silent and otherwise, who are going no-mail
or
> 
AND
"I had hoped to post some good pics and a short story."

Instead of threatening to leave there is a better solution.  Post
something 
relevant!

Talk about a hike that you participated in (some give a "one year ago" 
story).  Just because you don't like the topic or disagree with the
writers, is not 
an excuse to make threats.  Write of what you know and love.

Politics will generate heat but talk of a wonderful walk in the green
woods 
and you bring a cool refreshment to this page.

Skylander
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