Nice Hiking

I must say that we don't take enough advantage of the outdoors opportunities in Austin. On Saturday we decided run a bunch of errands (picking up a $100 rebate at Fry's, getting our Bookgroup book at the library, and to take Homer for a long overdue extended hike.

We decided on the Barton Creek Greenbelt and parked at the Loop 360 entrance. We usually hike up the stream towards Sculpture Falls but this time decided to head downstream towards Barton Springs pool. The weather was perfect and the trees kept us in shade most of the way. We had to cross the creek and occasionally ventured into the water to cool down Homer. I really wished we had our bathing suits on; the water was at a nice level, very clear, cool and inviting. We reminisced about our hikes in Arkansas and remembered that aunt C. was in town and that we should have invited her along.

After getting to the pool (about 3.5 miles) we got some junk food and took a break before heading back. We stuck to the trail on the way upstream and made it to the car in about an hour and twenty minutes. By this time Homer was exhausted I could definitely feel the seven miles in my calves. We decided along the way that maybe Cynthia wouldn't have enjoyed it, after all.

I think it would be cool to do the whole green belt, from the Scottish Woods Trail all the way down to the pool. If the water was high enough, we could swim or float part of the way. That's about eight miles one way, so we couldn't do it as a round trip in Jfer's condition. We'd need to cars and carpool between the ends of the trail.