DVSP: The Blue Trail

The hike we took went halfway around the state park.  It was about 1.5 hours and close to 1.5 miles.  I was proud of Shelbs for hanging in there and enjoying it!  Cole spent lots of time on Daddy’s shoulders :)

To get started we had to cross the river- it wasn’t impossible but was a bit difficult.

 

Jeff carried Shelby over then went back for Cole.

(Say hi to Poppy in the background!)

Our hero!

Across the river is one of the dino track sites.  Here’s the only good picture I got:

The kids had no problem with getting wet or dirty!

 

Then, we started up the mountain…

 

 

 

 

She’s probably telling Daddy how to do something! :)  Look at those hands on hips!

 

 

Mary LOVED it!  She led the way most of the time.

Finally at the part of the trail where the map said we could cross back over the river…scared me a little.

It really doesn’t look that bad in this picture but we had to start over where that man is in the back, and that first curve before you got to the big rocks was kind of deep and slippery (you had to balance on rocks.)  Jeff took Shelby, then took Cole, and I took my shoes & socks off and rolled my pants up to cross.  It wasn’t possible to do it without fully submerging your shoe and I prefer DRY feet!

But we did it!

Still smiling kids after the hike!

Back in time to see the sun set.  What a great adventure!

DVSP: A few of my Favorite Things

Sweet Mary got herself wrapped up just a few times!  She is VERY good off the leash but we do have to put it on her some, since it is the rule there.  Off the leash, she stayed right by us, always came when we whistled, and was very excited to walk with whoever went to the bathroom and wait for them.  Good dog!

The kiddos enjoy kicking around a soccer ball.

And then all the relaxing!  My FAVORITE part!

And the campfires!  (And my man who builds them!)  Another favorite.

 

Saturday it rained for a few hours.  That morning Poppy and Jeff took the kids on the bikes and they were gone for a LONG time.  The rain didn’t phase them at all…in fact our little hot-blooded Shelby wouldn’t even wear a jacket.  They explored dino tracks and shoreline along the Paluxy river.  Shelby even built a sand castle (which Coleman promptly destroyed.)  Nonnie and I stayed at the campsite, I slept the morning away (now, maybe THIS is my favorite thing!) and Nonnie was bored to death.  (Sorry, Non!)  Later on, I went into “town” to fetch everyone Butterfinger Blizzards.  HEAVEN!  (Butterfinger Blizzards are my favorite!)

Dinosaur Valley State Park: The Dinosaurs and Deer

We have been wanting to visit this camping destination in Glen Rose, TX since we got our camper, but it is ALWAYS booked full through all the “camping” months. They don’t have many elec & water spots (40 maybe?) and it is a popular family/kid destination. So when I saw the forecast for the weekend and had wanted to do something fun for Cole’s birthday, there were plenty of spots open since it’s January, we booked it!

As soon as we got all set up, we used the last hour or so of daylight and set off on bikes to see the life-size dinosaurs.

The deer just stood by the road and watched us as we biked by.

The kids thought the dinosaurs were so cool! I can’t even remember which kind this is- starts with A, ends with “saurus.”

And this, of course, is T Rex.

Friendly, huh?

Turns out sitting on the fence wasn’t a good idea. Cole fell off flat on his face.

He cheered up when we let them touch the toes.

Shelby says, “It wasn’t me!”

As we checked out the dinos, deer looked on.

They let us get pretty close before they took off! (ps- do not understand how people can shoot these animals!!!)

Next up: Soccer/relaxing and a big hike with dino tracks!