Sunday Morning Drives

Sunday morning drives are my favorite way of relaxation no matter where I am. My husband and I load the dog and head out. We check the map and decide or choose our route somewhere along the way. I'm going to post about these drives each week. I have photos and catching up to do but after that it will be weekly. I hope they interest you enough to try some exploring on your own. Get a good map and don't be afraid to turn off the main road. You'll be amazed at what you see.

One of my favorite places really close by is Hwy 29, east of Llano Texas (about 1.5 hours from Austin, Texas). Along the side of the road is an eagles' nest that has been in the same tree for nearly 10 years. Every year, the same eagle couple winter there, hatch eggs, get the eaglets ready to fly and then head north. It's an awesome sight to see.

On down 29, you have a choice of direction. At Fuzzy's Corner, where Sam's Dam Ranch is located (nice plants), you can go to the left past Lake Buchanan (pronounced Buck-an-un) to the tiny community of Tow (pronounced the same as Cow). From there, you can go to Fall Creek Vineyards located on the banks of the Colorado River where it meets the lake. They have some nice wines, a picnic area and kids play area. It's a nice stopping spot.

If you decide to continue on, you'll cross the Buchanan Dam over the Colorado where Lake Buchanan ends and Inks Lake begins. Inks Lake is a great place to swim and boat. Lake Buchanan is better for fishing. Inks Lake State Park, located on Inks Lake is a popular family camping spot. Up the park road, you'll see Falkenstein Castle, a real castle and private residence. It is available for weddings and there are a few spots you can take pictures of it along the park road. On past the castle, is Longhorn Caverns State Park. A nice place to tour on a hot day. They also have Sunday brunches, reservation encouraged, as well as concerts in the caverns.

Usually by then we circle back home to get chores done and think about where we want to go next Sunday.

Catch on Film and Release

The wildlife around here is just awesome to view. Although we own guns, we don't kill animals; we target shoot. The only kind of wildlife shooting we do it on film or digital camera. We have deer that feed on acorns in our back pasture and drink from our stock pond. For people who have problems with deer in their gardens, fertilize with donkey manure (horse manure works, too). Deer won't feed in areas where there is donkey or horse manure.

We had two hawks that roosted in one of the oak trees by the pond. It's really cool to watch the birds and nature interact. I hope the hawks eat moles. They burrow a lot. They don't damage gardens but create soft spots in which large animals can sink.

I have put away the hummingbird feeders till spring, am cleaning up the birdhouses and storing it all until spring. I've pulled out the bird feeders and am cleaning them up for the migrating birds. There are less insects as the weather gets colder so, I put out feeders for the winged critters.

As the weather gets cooler, I look forward for the changes in nature. Each season has wonderful things to enjoy. The bald eagles are here, nesting in the area. It's a great time to do some photo-hunting. There is a nest outside of town that has been the winter home to a couple of eagles. Each year, they give birth and teach their young to fly before heading north mid-spring.

Oh, well. Better get ready. After a week of traveling, we'll have to be ready for the crowd coming at Thanksgiving. Bonfire, hayride, food, food, food and playing are what we do Thanksgiving weekend.

Life in the country

I love my little place in the country. We've been inundated by butterflies. The weather is turning cooler so the deer seem to stay out a bit longer. This morning was the first day of deer hunting season. I lay in bed listening to the hoo-hoo-hoohoohoooooo of an owl in the tree by the well. Also, listening for the start of the season. Thankful that I heard no shots, I got up, fixed breakfast and started my day. It was a glorious fall morning. The post oaks are starting to turn yellow, the poison sumac turns red. We still have wildflowers blooming. The butterfly to the right is one of many that have enjoyed the late-blooming flowers.

As I was puttering around the house, I heard Harold (my husband) yell, "Laura, come quickly. COME NOW!" I headed out the door, rounded the corner and he was by our "blue barn" doors. He said, "Get Buddy (the dog) in the house, NOW." I put the dog in the house and hurried back to see what he was behind the door. I asked if it was a racoon? No. Snake? No. By then, I'd rounded the door and there at the entrance to the building, sheltered by the partially open doors was a doe. She was dead. We looked for entry wounds and didn't see any. After looking her over, we decided she'd gotten hit by a car or truck and ran. She was so beautiful.

Harold got the tractor, took her body to the back pasture, dug a hole with the tractor and we placed her in and covered her. I hope that's the last one I have to care for in that manner. I like taking pictures, and watching them from my porch or treehouse but, I'm not a hunter. I have nothing against hunters as long as they are going to eat the meat. I just don't like wasted life, animal or human.