The following TOWNies enjoyed an exotic and celebratory weekend at Brazos Bend State Park, southwest of Houston: SandyS, SusanW, LindaKW, KayS, GloriaB, MarilynF, AdelaR, BeverlyT, JudyS, JackieD, JanetF-B, CherylC, GailW, SandyO, JudyD, CarrieL and (new member!) AllisonG. Guests Sharon (Kay’s sister) and hubby GaryS also camped with us. Canines included Augie, Annie, Red, Silky, Chico, and DJ.
This park is huge and has 3 lakes and multiple campsite loops that are spaced far apart from one another.
Activities began on Thursday when several of us arrived, and included fire-building. This was a time when great exhales moved the flames as ladies let go of their work week. And we definitely did let go.
Beverly brought some Jambalaya to share, which we ate on Thursday night and again on Friday night as leftovers. It was great and saved us two evening meals!
On Friday, several went biking and hiking with 90 middle-schoolers around the 40-acre lake and along the Spillway Trail. The Observation Tower swayed in the wind at the top. We saw many water birds (see list below) and alligators, and school groups. In the Nature Center, a fabulous staff of volunteers were explainers and offered us a baby alligator to pet (it was darn cute). Of course, a wonderful campfire was built that night by Susan, Gloria and others that we can’t remember. Note: brave raccoons tried to raid the snack table, but, Susan was alert and ran them off!
Saturday morning several went on the volunteer-led hike around Creekfield Lake Nature Trail. Did you know that every one inch around a tree equals 1 year? A 180-year-old tree and a 160-year-old tree grow close to the Nature Center. On the Wetlands Trail we spotted wild rice, a great blue heron, a few baby alligators (good eye Cheryl) and other birds.
Saturday evening we had another campfire and a Mardi Gras potluck — in the rain, but the liquid Hurricanes dulled the awareness of how wet we were. Canopies brought by Susan and Gloria kept the food dry. Red beans and rice, gumbo, shrimp, and lots more were served. Of course, the campfire helped to warm us and keep our spirits bright. Raccoons again tried to invade our space, but we had folks who turned them away.
On Sunday, most folks had to leave, and the rain splashed on. The wildlife bloomed in the quiet park: frogs came from … where? … to inhabit the new campsite ponds, and the lakes were teeming with birds and more frogs. Adela, Cheryl, Jackie, Marilyn, JudyD, and Gail stayed overnight once more.
The following birds were noted by JudyD, SandyS and Janet: Common Moorhen, American Coot, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, Anhinga, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Gallinule, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, White-faced Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Least Grebe, Great Egret, Black Vulture, Crow, and Common Grackle. We also saw several American Bitterns (so beautiful to the first time spotter).
Happy Camping,
MarilynF and SandyS