Dry Lucy Park Walk Under Thunder Threatening Sky

Between thunderstorms on this first Sunday of November it was to Lucy Park I ventured for some cloudy nature communing.

After last night's downpours I was expecting the Wichita River to be running more water than it was flowing today.

As you can see via the photo documentation, the Lucy Park suspension bridge is nowhere near being submerged by a flooding river.

My regular way to my motorized means of motion was flooded this morning, making for a longer than the norm walk to vehicular transport.

Currently the sky is growing dark again, and my phone just beeped with an imminent storm warning.

Apparently, in addition to the expected thunderstorming and heavy rain, possible hail and tornado action is on today's weather menu of possibilities. 

I have never heard the tornado sirens go off in this town due to an actual tornado. I experienced that several times whilst living in the Dallas/Fort Worth zone. 

I suspect a nap is in my future today, what with sleeping last night being highly problematic due to the thunder booming...

Sunday Circle Trail Stroll Along Wichita River Rapids

Day 20 of October, the third Sunday of the 10th month of 2024, the temperature, once again, has returned to being shorts and shortsleeves weather.

So, it was to the east parking lot entry to the Circle Trail and the Wichta Bluff Nature Area I drove, but, instead of heading west into the Nature Area, I headed east, towards Lucy Park, walking one of the newest sections of the Circle Trail.

A couple years ago voters voted to approve paying for the connection of this eastern Circle Trail terminus, to Lucy Park, but, so far, nothing seems to be happening.

Making that connection would finally make a real full circle out of the Wichita Falls Circle Trail, enabling pedaling a bike all the way, making the full 26 mile, give or take a mile or two, circle around Wichita Falls.

There were more than the norm number of fellow Circle Trail walkers today, enjoying the perfect weather conditions.

This section of the Circle Trail, which I walked today, trails just a few feet from the banks of the Wichita River. At one point I heard what sounded like water burbling, and soon came to see that which you see photo documented above, what passes for a waterfall in this waterfall-deprived part of the country.

I do not know where the Wichita River is getting so much water, noticeably flowing, what with drought conditions being the current status...

Hot Hiking Wichita River Waterfall With No Rattlesnakes

Day five of the early return of Summer, during the final weeks of the Winter of 2024, had me overheating on the final Saturday of February fast hiking the Circle Trail as it meanders east of the Wichita Bluff Nature Area.

Walking this section of the Circle Trail I do not recollect previously making note of the Wichita River waterfall you see below. This is almost as wild a waterfall as that which remains of the original Wichita Falls, located a few miles further downstream.

I have yet to see any reptiles slithering during this current unnatural heat wave. It would seem snakes would slither out of wherever it is they spend the cold time of the year.

Speaking of snakes. The Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup happens in March. I experienced this disturbing event once, earlier in the current century. I made a Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup webpage, which included the first video I made with my long-gone Canon camcorder.

Years ago, that Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup webpage came up #1 when Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup was searched for on Google. I don't know if it shows up at all, anymore. During the time it Googled high that webpage generated a lot of email feedback. Some of which were of the sort that arrived in my email yesterday...

Rattlesnake Roundup

Howdy there.

It's that time of the year again when we're coming back for the killers to them a damn good exposé.  The merchants of death will be dragged through the dirt like they'll always be until such time as the killing ends.

Henry sends his regards by the way.

Robert Piller.

Campaign Against the Trade in Endangered Species...

__________________________

Are rattlesnakes an endangered species? There seem to be plenty of them slithering about. I've happened upon several out in the wild whilst I have been in Texas.

I have zero clue as to who this Henry is who is sending his regards my way...

I opted to take advantage of today's blazing hot sun to get an early start on getting suntanned, preparing to get tropical.

I appear to be a tad sunburned. Methinks such is an optical illusion. That swamp grass on the banks of the Wichita River probably should have had me vigilantly looking out for any snakes in the grass...

Lucy Park Visit With Wichita River In Melted Chocolate Mode

I am really enjoying the mid-winter return to summer. This next to last day of the first month of 2024 is being naturally heated into the 70 degree range.

Around noon I had a mighty fine communing with nature at Lucy Park, attired only in shorts and t-shirt. 

As you can see via the look at the Lucy Park suspension bridge, there is nary a cloud in the sky. Totally bright blue.

The recent rain has rendered the Wichita River into a Utah redrock shade of brown. Looks like flowing melted chocolate.

There currently is nothing green visible in Lucy Park, Even the grass has now turned brown.

The current forecast promises many more summer-like days, before the return of winter...

Nature Communing At Flood Free Lucy Park After Yesterday's Deluge

Yesterday's nature communing at Lucy Park was under a mostly clear blue sky.

But, by the time I left Lucy Park a storm was brewing. Soon after returning to my abode the storm was done brewing and was spewing lightning bolts, hail, rain and wind.

The rain continued for hours. By late afternoon a moat surrounded my abode.

By the time the sun finished yesterday's illumination duty the sky was beginning to return to being blue.

By the time the sun arrived, this morning, to begin its daily illumination duty, the sky was totally blue, with nary a cloud to be seen.

And so, this morning, I ventured back to Lucy Park, expecting to possibly find the park in flood mode. 

Well, no flooding was found, but the Wichita River is flowing a lot more water than it was yesterday, as you can see, above, via the view, looking south, from the middle of the Lucy Park suspension bridge.

So, March at my Texas location has roared in like a lion, with more roaring predicted in a few days...

Christmas Lucy Park Walk With Frozen Wichita River

Til today, Christmas, I had not communed with nature since, if I remember right, last Wednesday, when the Big Chill Deep Freeze began moving into town.

The Deep Freeze has lifted, with the outer world warmed to above freezing. So, it was to Lucy Park I ventured today for that aforementioned communing with nature.

I was surprised when I saw the Wichita River to see that it was frozen. Well, not completely frozen, but frozen enough to have a sheet of ice on the river's surface.

The Deep Freeze has removed the remaining leaves from all the trees. They are now all stripped totally naked. No longer providing any shade from the blazing sun.

By the middle of the coming week, we are slated to be warmed into the 70s. 

Back To Lucy Park With The Wichita River Running Red

It was back to Lucy Park my motorized motion device took me today. The first time at Lucy Park since Tuesday's day long deluge. 

As you can see via the view of the Lucy Park suspension bridge, the Wichita River is running high, but not in flood mode. But freshly painted that Utah Redrock color I find aesthetically pleasing.

I don't know the reason why, other than the return to blue sky and a pleasant temperature, but Lucy Park had a lot of visitors today. Twice I was asked how to find the falls. There are multiple signs pointing the way to the falls. And maps.

I don't know why it is confusing.

Other than the fact that I asked for directions to the falls on my first visit to Lucy Park. But back then the signage that exists now had not yet been installed. And I made my inquiry at a Texas Information Center booth, where I also got several maps, brochures, sunblock chapstick and the directions to the falls.

It was at that information booth, where the where are the falls question was asked, that I was told to be sure to take the trail to the top of the falls to see the surprising source of the falls.

The remodeled Lucy Park suspension bridge is way wilder to walk across than the previous version. It seems to have way more up and down motion, along with swaying back and forth motion. And that happens just walking slowly across, not trying to get the bridge swaying. The walking difficultly amps up with multiple people crossing. It is sort of entertaining to watch.

I really need to find a new hobby...

What Is Floating In The Wichita River By The Lucy Park Suspension Bridge Locks?

In the view above we are standing midway across the Lucy Park Suspension Bridge over the Wichita River.

Lucy Park was my go to location today to acquire some aerobically induced endorphins after Madame McNutty disturbed my morning yoga session with an attempt to watch the yogi via her video device.

See that string of floats floating across the river? If this was in a Pacific Northwest river I would assume some Native Americans from one of the myriad tribes which inhabit the Pacific Northwest had installed a fish net in the river. 

But, such is likely not the case in Texas, since most Native Americans were chased out of the state a long long time ago, chased to Oklahoma and New Mexico. Texas has only two, I think, extremely small Indian Reservations.

If this were a fish net what type fish would one be hoping to net in this murky muddy river?

Looking the other direction from midway over the Lucy Park Suspension Bridge...

More locks have been added since last we made note of the locks being locked to the Lucy Park Suspension Bridge.

It has been speculated that these locks on this bridge are emulating a bridge in Paris on which people lock locks. That is the Paris in France, not the Paris in Texas...

Walking With Mysterious Lucy Park Pagoda & Suspension Bridge

Down below freezing in this part of the planet last night. Was a little warmer than that when I drove to Lucy Park to do some nature communing.

I took pictures of two Lucy Park features today. The Pagoda and the Suspension Bridge. Taking pictures of only those two Lucy Park features proved coincidental at the end of the Lucy Park walk when I returned to where my vehicle was parked.

I have yet to find an explanation as to the why of the Lucy Park Pagoda. Today a local walked by as I was snapping photos of this mysterious structure. You from around here, asked I. Yes was the reply. I asked the local if he knew why this Pagoda structure is here.

It's a Pagoda? asked the local. 

I said that is what it looks like. The local then said it mostly likely was a situation where there were extra funds and someone suggested building a unique gazebo. And someone had seen a picture of a unique structure and designed the gazebo, not realizing it looks like a Japanese Pagoda.

Okay, I guess that will suffice as as good an explanation as I have currently for the Lucy Park Pagoda.

Continuing on past the Pagoda I walked along the currently extremely clear Wichita River til I reached the Wichita River Lucy Park Suspension Bridge.

A lotta locks have been added to the left side railing wall since I last swayed my way across this bridge.

You can not tell it via the photo, but the river water is so clear that one can see the river bottom. I do not remember seeing that previously at this location. I watched to water flow by for several minutes, expecting to see at least one fish.

I saw no fish.

Now, the reason taking pictures of the Lucy Park Pagoda and the Lucy Park Suspension Bridge proved coincidental by the time I got back to where my vehicle was parked.

A car drove up to me, with the driver rolling down her window. She looked Asian, possibly Japanese, and spoke a heavily accented version of English.

She asked me if I knew where the Pagoda was. I was just there, I told her, and pointed in its direction, and explained how to get there.

She then asked if I knew where the suspension bridge was. I told her just continue on the paved trail past the Pagoda, taking a right on the paved trail which is beside the river and a half mile or so, give or take a few feet, you will come to the suspension bridge. I told her not to be scared, walking across the bridge, when it begins to sway and move up and down.

When I've been in Lucy Park I have been asked a time or two or three how to get to Wichita Falls.

The first time I was in Lucy Park I asked at an information booth how to get to the Falls. There was some event going on during that first visit to Lucy Park. Hard to find parking. And that information booth. Have never seen the park that busy, or an information booth, ever again...

Saturday Lucy Park Suspension Bridge Video Walk Over Wichita River

Last night's almost all night long thunderstorm was the longest and loudest storm so far this year, near as I can remember.

And now, on this next to last Saturday of the 2020 version of May, blue sky has returned with only some big puddles of water and foliage scattered about.

A visit to Lucy Park seemed like a good idea, post-storm. I thought there was a chance sufficient rain fell to render the Wichita River into flood mode, with Lucy Park closed.

But, soon upon arrival at one of the biggest parks in Wichita Falls, when the Wichita River came into view, it was seen to be nowhere being in flood mode, though running high.

Today I used my new phone to make a video. I think this was the first time I have done this with the new phone. The phone seems to make better video than my old video camera used to make, before I tossed it due to it being an antique. The old video camera was just a camera. Not a phone. And it was about ten times the size and weight of the phone.

Anyway, in the video you walk with me across the Lucy Park suspension bridge over the Wichita River. This is not for the squeamish who are afraid of heights whilst walking on something swaying.

Bluff Biking Almost Crystal Clear Wichita River

This post Halloween first Saturday of the 2019 version of November is another clear blue sky semi-warm day at my location nowhere near being deep in the heart of Texas.

Of late, well, the past couple weeks, I have been enjoying actual hilly bike riding via rolling on the Wichita Bluff Nature Area section of the Circle Trail.

Which is what I did today.

After a mile, give or take a foot or two, I stopped the bike at one of the side trails and aimed the handlebars at a house I have noticed ever since I first rolled in this location.

From a distance this house reminds me of my old home in Mount Vernon. A couple years ago I tried to get up close using motorized means, but could not figure out what road would take me there.

So, a zoomed close up is the best I can do.

It is the flat roof and multiple levels, and light brown color which reminds me of Mount Vernon. Though, zoomed up close it sort of looks like a prison facility. Which I know it is not.

At the east end of the Wichita Bluff Nature Area the Circle Trail makes a long looping descent til it gets to river level, and then runs along side the Wichita River til the current trail end under the Loop 13 bridge over the river.

Today the Wichita River looked way different than I had ever seen it look previously.

As in instead of being the usual cool shade of reddish mud, which always reminds me of Utah redrock, today the Wichita River looks like a Western Washington river running clear clean water which might have only been recently thawed from its high mountain origin. Which definitely could not be the case here, what with no mountains for hundreds of miles, let alone snowpacks to melt.

The water was being so clear today, if there were fish swimming nearby, I should have been able to see them. I suspect if I had lingered more than a minute I would have seen a fish or two.

Changing the subject from clear river water to something else.

A few days ago I made mention of a Smoky Visit With The Retired Elsie Hotpepper.

At the time when I made mention of that smoky visit it did not occur to me that there were some who did not know there is more than one DFW individual known as Elsie Hotpepper. There is Elsie Hotpepper, the Younger, she being the Hotpepper we are more familiar with, and then there is Elsie Hotpepper, the Elder, the grandmother of Elsie Hotpepper, the Younger.

I probably should try and make these type distinctions clearer in the future...

Atop Wichita Bluffs Pondering Big Blue While Shrinking

Likely the iconic view you see here needs no description, what with it being obvious we are atop a bluff on the Circle Trail in the Wichita Bluff Nature Area, looking east over the Wichita River at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Wichita Falls.

That skyscraper at the center of the skyline is known a Big Blue. I have yet been able to understand why the locals do not seem to realize Big Blue is a bit of an eyesore, sticking out like an out of place mistake surrounded by buildings which do not look out of place.

Since first seeing Big Blue I have learned in its former glory years it was a classic old style building with a beautiful high ceiling lobby. And then it fell on hard times, which somehow resulted in the building being clad with a blue metal covering to facilitate the easy covering up plumbing and electrical upgrades running up the outer walls of the building, turning it into what looks to be a poorly designed, sorely in need of some sprucing up, eyesore, with a frequently malfunctioning time and temperature sign at its top.

Turning the subject from what looks to me to be the worst Wichita Falls eyesore, well, in the downtown zone, to today's hike on the Circle Trail.

The past couple years I have found myself in Arizona on seven separate occasions, for two to three week visits. Upon each return I have been double non-plussed to find I gained some poundage. Usually in the 10 pound range.

I have found as one gets older it is increasingly more difficult to melt off excess poundage. In years past simply amping up the miles of biking, roller blading and hiking would accomplish the pound shedding. With no dieting of the food intake monitoring needed.

But now, I find the biking and hiking does not seem to reverse the slow creep to 300 pounds. So, I have opted to amp up the calorie burning hiking, and cut back on some of the calorie adding eating.

Hence the hiking the Wichita Bluffs today.

I hope to be able to fit back into my blue jeans before cold weather renders doing so a dire necessity...

Visiting Raccoon In Wichita River Flooded Lucy Park

This morning I thought it to be a good idea to take a walk in Lucy Park on my way to my final destination by Sheppard Air Force Base.

I thought I had read that the recently flooded Lucy Park was back open, but when I arrived at the main entry I found the gate closed, blocking access, with water across the road a short distance away, but not nearly as much water as the previous flooded visit to Lucy Park.

A local television crew was working on a news segment at the closed entry. I did not stop to give an interview, but continued on to another access point to Lucy Park, that being the way in by the Duck Pond.

From the Duck Pond the road was dry all the way to my regular parking location by the Lucy Park log cabin and pool.

As you can see others also made their way past the flooded zone to Lucy Park locations, like the public pool.

I forgot to mention that flooded photo at the top. This was a short distance from the pool, near the suspension bridge which crosses the Wichita River. As I stood there looking at the flood, suddenly a critter came into view.

A raccoon.

The raccoon was swimming from the fallen tree towards the river. When the raccoon reached the tree you see sticking out of the water it disappeared.

This was my first raccoon encounter this century. The last time I had a raccoon encounter was in Yosemite, at Curry Village, on the night the Cheers TV show finale aired. I don't remember what year that was. 1992 or 1993 seems about right.

The next photo shows more of the entire raccoon scene. The aforementioned fallen tree is on the left, The flooded suspension bridge entry is in the middle.

Continuing on the Circle Trail to the west side of Lucy Park I walked until the trail went under water.

The above scene looks peaceful.

Green, wet and peaceful.

I do not remember the foliage at Lucy Park looking so lushly jungle-like on any previous visit. This must be due to all the vegetation being well hydrated by the copious amounts of rain.

Colorful Suspenseful Redrock Walk In Wichita Falls Lucy Park

The deluges of Tuesday and Wednesday added some colorful water to the Wichita River. But, not enough to flood Lucy Park like other recent deluges did.

This morning's walk across the Lucy Park suspension bridge provided a good look at the high flowing Wichita River, as you can clearly see here.

One would think after eons of water scouring the prairie that there would no longer be enough material to colorfully dye the Wichita River and neighboring Red River the redrock red color they are known for.

I have long been a fan of this color, ever since my first redrock experience in Utah, decades ago.

Earlier this century, I think the year was 2005, I was brought by the Knappsons to a party in the Washington town of Kent. The color scheme of the house in which the party took place was what I took to be shades of redrock. With light turquoise trim.

Ever since then I have wanted that color scheme for my own abode. The closest I have come is my current location, with brown carpet and matching wood floors. And turquoise rocks from Arizona.

Another look at the colorful Wichita River, with the view being from the center of the suspension bridge. Note the color coordinating with the color of the suspension cable complimenting the river color. I am sure this was done on purpose.

North of the suspension bridge I took a break in the Japanese pagoda and took the colorful picture you see here. I do not believe this is a natural collection of Texas wildflowers.

The Texas exterior color scheme is currently at about the most colorful it gets during the year. Soon all that you see in living color will be shades of one color.

Brown.

Lucky for me brown is my favorite color, if one includes the redrock color as being a shade of brown.

Frigid Saturday Lucy Park Walk Suspended Above Clear Wichita River

The temperature this third Saturday of February was a degree above freezing when it seemed to me to be a good idea to join the throngs of other frigid air aficionados for an ultra brisk walk in the Wichita Falls scenic zone known as Lucy Park.

The first photo you see here was taken after I successfully crossed the swinging suspension bridge suspended over the waterway known as the Wichita River.

As you can see, no leaves remain in trees, but a little green colors up the base of the leaf less tree you see here.

The above view is from the north side of the river, this is the location of an RV Park, visitors park parking, and a mountain bike trail. I am parked on the opposite side of the river, by the Lucy Park log cabin and swimming pool. That white sign above the entry to the bridge indicates the bridge can only accommodate 20 people at a time. 

I really can not imagine 20 people swinging on this suspension bridge at the same time. It would seem multiple calamities might ensue.

Now that you are making me think about it, following 20 people across this bridge might be fun, greatly adding to the element of possible danger.

Above we are in the middle of the bridge. See that twisted cable looping around the cable which suspends the deck of the bridge? Note that this loop has rusted halfway through. Adding some additional danger to that danger element which makes crossing this bridge such an adventure.

Til today I had not seen the Wichita River looking like it is above. Not muddy, not a reddish/brown color which always reminds me of Utah redrock.

Today the Wichita River water was clear!

This had me trying to see fish having themselves a pleasant clear water swim. But, I saw none.

Due to the recent lack of precipitation rendering the off pavement Lucy Park trails dry, rather than the more usual muddy status one finds this time of year, today I hiked far off the paved trail, deep into the leaf less woods.

At one point I found myself walking by the State of Texas Visitors Center on the opposite side of the river. Seeing that indicated to me I had walked a long ways.

Soon thereafter I came to that which you see above.

Remains of another suspension bridge? I don't know. It appeared to be the ruins of some sort of mechanism for moving something across the river.

When today's walk came to its termination point I heard myself remarking that this was the best outdoor excursion I have had in a long time.

But, I am ready for freezing temperatures to go away now, not to return til next winter...

The End Of The American Empire Walking Along Muddy Wichita River

My time with the American Empire ran out today, so I returned it to the Wichita Falls Public Library in beautiful downtown Wichita Falls.

Since I was in the neighborhood and feeling in dire need of a scenic communing with nature, and what with the weather being absolutely perfect for a stroll along a river, after ending my time with the American Empire I headed to Lucy Park.

The Wichita River is running high today. I don't recollect all that much rain of late to account for such an increase in water flow, and the resulting red mud which colors the Wichita River like flowing  rust.

One would think that after so many eons of water flowing over red dirt that the supply would about be exhausted, and thus no longer available for turning the Wichita River and its partner a short distance north, the Red River, into such colorful Mother Nature in action displays.

I walked along the Wichita River til I reached the location of Wichita Falls, currently being Wichita Dry Falls, with the falls not falling water, due to the pumps which enable the falls not liking it when the Wichita River goes into muddy mode, and thus are turned off for the duration of the excess muddy high water.

I think Wichita Dry Falls is still scenic, even without the water falling.

Months ago I read that work was to be done on the bridge across the falls and the section of the Circle Trail which leads from the falls to head under the nearby freeway.

The article where I learned about the  planned Wichita Falls remodeling indicated the project was to begin shortly, and would not take long  to complete. Now, many many months later nothing seems to have been  done to the bridge or the Circle Trail.

Did Wichita Falls make the mistake of hiring the same inept contractor Fort Worth hired to build three simple bridges over dry land to connect the Fort Worth mainland to an imaginary island?  I hope not.  But what is the explanation for this stalled project?

Unable To Launch Canoe While Suspended In Lucy Park Over Flooding Wichita River

For Power Walking purposes today I power steered my motorized transportation device to Lucy Park to walk fast on the paved trail that circles the park and is part of the Circle Trail which circles Wichita Falls.

As you can see, via the photo of the Lucy Park Suspension bridge, the bridge is currently suspended above the Wichita River flowing with a lot more water than what flows in low flow mode.

The man with his dog, which you see on the suspension bridge, was with his wife who wanted to have nothing to do with walking on that bridge as it swayed above the flooding river.

I did not walk by Wichita Falls, but I am sure the falls is still not falling due to the high water causing the falls to be in shut down mode due to what I have learned are mud clogging the pumps issues.

Near the Lucy Park Suspension Bridge there is a sign listing all the attributes one finds in the park, including a canoe launch. A person reading this sign, at the same time as me, asked where is this canoe launch of which the sign speaks, further saying he had never seen such a thing and that he had been all over the park.

I informed this person that as a long time Wichita Falls resident I could lead him to the canoe launch.

About a half mile later we came to the Lucy Park Canoe Launch, currently flooded and not in canoe launch mode, as you can see above.

Months ago, after I blogged about Lucy Park and verbalized wondering how this park came to be named such, an employee of the City of Wichita Falls contacted me and told me she was making a video for the city about Lucy Park. She explained how the park came to be and said there was plaque installed in the park with the short version of why Lucy Park is so named.

Til today I had never come across the Lucy Park plaque whilst walking around the park.

Turns out the Lucy Park plaque is on the north side of the Lucy Park Duck Pond. Today the Duck Pond was free of geese, so I had no getting goosed incidents on this visit.

The plaque tells us that...

THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION OF LUCY PARK BY FRANCES ANN DICKINSON IN MEMORY OF HER MOTHER LUCY O'NEILL SAUNDERS FOR WHOM THE PARK IS NAMED.

Lucy O'Neill Saunders made a fortune in the oil business, making several lucrative strikes in several lucrative oil fields.

Texan Expedition To Lucy Park Looking For Trump's Log Cabin

This first Sunday of August I decided to escape air-conditioned comfort to journey to Lucy Park to take a walk in the shade of tall oak and pecan trees.

One of my favorite locations on the planet is the redrock zone of Utah.

Today at Lucy Park, near a Wichita River overlook I saw the big chunk of redrock you see here, with a plaque stuck to the redrock informing redrock gazers that the Texas Santa Fe Expedition crossed the Wichita River near this spot August 4, 1841.

This sounds like something Donald Trump would make up. Where is the video documenting this alleged river crossing?  And who was doing the expediting on this Texas Santa Fe Expedition? I suspect some Mexicans were along, due to this area having recently been Mexico til the Texans land grabbed.

No, that which you see below is not the log cabin Donald Trump claims to have been born in.

What you are looking at is the Lucy Log Cabin in Lucy Park. You can rent the Lucy Log Cabin for events like parties and weddings and other such stuff.

Speaking of Donald Trump. And who isn't? If you have been perplexed, as have many, wondering how any sane person could possibly think it a good idea for Donald Trump to be the next American president, I read an interesting article this morning with a good explanation for this inexplicable phenomenon titled A neuroscientist explains what may be wrong with Trump supporters’ brains.

It's a long article. A good excerpt from that long article, which includes something I have said about the inexplicable Trump phenomenon....

“The knowledge and intelligence that are required to be good at a task are often the same qualities needed to recognize that one is not good at that task — and if one lacks such knowledge and intelligence, one remains ignorant that one is not good at the task. This includes political judgment. Essentially, they’re not smart enough to realize they’re dumb."

Not smart enough to realize they are dumb.

I have thought that to myself countless times of late, whilst reading comments on Facebook and other locations. Not smart enough to realize they are dumb....

Communing With Nature In The Wichita Falls Lucy Park Shade

No, that is not the Trinity River you are looking at here, looking inviting as it flows through Fort Worth.

What you are looking at here is the Wichita River as it flows through Lucy Park in Wichita Falls, a town about 130 miles northwest of Fort Worth.

In flood mode the Wichita River turns a cool Utah redrock color that I like. In non-flood mode the Wichita River turns the color you see here. Still murky, but somewhat clear, in that I could see a fish or two or three.

And you have to admit, the Wichita River and its riverbank is scenic. Note the total absence of litter.

Unlike the Trinity River as it sludges through Fort Worth.

I make note of remarkably less litter in Wichita Falls than that which regularly appalled me in messy Fort Worth.

I don't think I mentioned it but yesterday I got my aerobically induced endorphins via mountain climbing on Mount Wichita. The novelty of mountain climbing on Mount Wichita is starting to wear off. It is almost too aerobic. And unlike a place like Fort Worth's Tandy Hills, there is not a lot of trail variation.

Sticking with our comparing Wichita Falls to Fort Worth theme. An item such as you see below I have never seen in a Fort Worth park.

No. It's not some sort of high tech modern restroom facility with running water. What it is is an exercise station. I have come across this type installation in Lucy Park and in Lake Wichita Park, near Mount Wichita.

The exercise device you see on the right is the only one I can sort of do. You sit on the bench and then push forward on the bars, with the strength of your arms lifting the seat up. In other words, the fatter you are the more difficult this is to do.

Which basically is true of all things.

Which may explain why I am unable to manage even one pull up on the pull up bar part of this exercise installation. Or one parallel dip.

Even though the temperature was somewhere in the 90s zone I had myself a mighty fine time today communing with nature in Lucy Park. Plenty of trees provide plenty of shade. And a good cooling wind was blowing.

A lot of kids were enjoying the Lucy Park pool. Next to the pool another large group of kids was engaging in some sort of activity at the Lucy Park log cabin.

Again comparing Wichita Falls to Fort Worth. I never saw Wichita Falls type park activity in any of the Fort Worth parks I visited over the years.

What is wrong with Fort Worth? Why are there not more people asking that question and demanding answers? There is no reason Fort Worth can not become a modern American city. Except for its inept leadership and backwards ways of getting things done, whilst propagandizing the opposite to be the truth....

Playing With Lucy Park Tyrannosaurus Before Suspension Over Wichita River

After a month of being in what is known as the Texoma Zone it seems that Lucy Park has become my Saturday commune with nature Wichita Falls place to go.

And so it was to Lucy Park I went today.

I have yet to learn why Lucy Park is so named. I am assuming it is not some sort of tribute to Lucille Ball.

What you are looking at in the first picture is what is part of what is known as Lucy Land in Lucy Park. I think this is supposed to represent the remains of a dinosaur. From the big head in the foreground I am guessing this dinosaur was a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

After playing for a few minutes in Lucy Land I headed northeast along the banks of the Wichita River, eventually coming to the Lucy Park suspension bridge suspended above the Wichita River.

Last week the flooding Wichita nearly touched the suspension bridge. This week, due to diminished deluging, the Wichita water level had fallen.

When I got to the bridge I saw a lady was slowly, gingerly pushing her bike across the bridge.

Of course I could not resist walking fast onto the bridge, quickly turning it into a Galloping Gertie.

I was a distance away, but I am fairly certain when she turned around the look on her face was not happy. However, she did not yell at me to cease with the rocking.

Does it surprise any of you not familiar with Texas to see that Wichita Falls, in the Texas Panhandle Plains Region, looks like a lush tropical jungle in some of these locations I am showing you?

No bug bites today. Either the heat has killed off the biters, or the Cutter bug repellent is working. Or maybe a little bit of both...