Good Friday on Goodwater Loop

Go West!

Our next leg on the Goodwater Loop. Again starting at the Overlook trailhead this time heading west after parking our second vehicle at the Jim Hogg Park Trailhead. This is supposed to be roughly 3.7 miles. A wonderful way to spend Good Friday.

Blooming

Several trails lead west out of this area and eventually they converge to the main trail. The instructions are simple "Just keep heading west."

Prickly Pear (also one of our new favorite varieties from Shiner)

If you haven't tried the Shiner Special Edition Prickly Pear give a go before it's all gone. I believe it's only available as part of the variety/sampler pack. Probably too early in the hike to be anticipating the end of the trail beverage already.

The Vanna Pose

A few boats and fishermen down below. Sun was well up as we started around 10:35 am today.

Mr. Safety

No backpack today. Just a UTG carry bag with three bottles of water, sunscreen, figs and trail mix. I did upgrade the footgear for the 2nd hike to Merrill Moab Ventilators. They're "dreamy."

Eventually you will see all of these on this blog

 There were a few moments on the trail where it felt like hiking in Maine or Wisconsin but nature has a way of reminding you you're in Texas.

Can you spot the safety green?

Saw the sign. Didn't really see what the sign was pointing out even after diverting a little ways off the trail. You can still google "Chert" with an iphone at this point on the loop.

New Shorts, New Shirt, New Shoes

Merrills were very comfortable. I took the risk on new shoes since the planned hike was only 3.7 miles.

Oh, crap. You're going to kill me!

At about the mid-way point of our hike, I hear (and I'm paraphrasing here) "Oh crap, You're going to kill me."  My lovely wife, in an effort to avoid carrying unnecessary weight on the trail, had left the keys of the vehicle we were hiking towards in the console of the vehicle back at the trailhead. I don't normally carry a key to her vehicle but today I got to be the hero as after a few seconds I pulled out my spare key.

 

Just add water!

The drought has certainly taken down the water levels at the lake. It's perhaps most apparent at the inlets the trail takes you around. Looks like the water has been down long enough for some to beat a shortcut across the way. We chose to follow the trail.

Look! Flora!

This picture might be out of order. Given the edging, I'm guessing it was back at the beginning of the trail.

Almost no trail traffic today. A couple of trail runners, one with dogs, one without. Near the Jim Hogg Trailhead a father and two young sons more likely on the park trail then the loop. About two and a half hours today followed by some excellent Carne Guisada and a couple of cervezas. The Merrills did a fine job on their maiden voyage. Coming next: Jim Hogg Park to Russell Park.