JohnRich 4 #26 May 22, 2006 QuoteJohn, you must have it made! Making all of these trips, the photos are great! I've been to enchanted rock, there's a hidden drop off on the back side and I could have sworn that I saw a panther. I try to get out into the woods about once every month and a half. It's good for the soul. The photo of the climbers is from that hidden drop-off you mention I think. At least it's from the back-side of Enchanted Rock. There were two other official climbing sites in the Park. It would make good panther country, but I've not been fortunate enough to see one yet. Darn it. And I've been giving them every opportunity to jump me! The closest I've come was a solo hike up an isolated canyon, off-trail. I came across a water hole from a spring, with lion tracks around it. And then I got really nervous, wondering if one was watching my every move... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #27 May 22, 2006 QuoteJohn, thanks for all the pics. Looks like you have tons of fun on your hikes. I camped near the entrance of the Bracken Bat Cave just north of San Antonio this weekend and witnessed the unbelievable event of over 20 million Mexican Freetails leave the cave Saturday night. It lasted for hours! Next we woke around 4 am today and watched the bats return! Again, over 2 hours of them returning... Simply a moving experience... I'll post pics after the GF downloads........ I'd love to see your photos. I've seen that at spectacle at Carlsbad Cavern, in New Mexico. Yeah, it's an awesome view of nature. I was afraid to take photos though, because the rangers were confiscating cameras. There's something about the frequency of the flash or motors, that messes up the bat's echo-location system. So spectators were warned in advance, and rangers stationed around the cave entrance were ready to pounce. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #28 May 22, 2006 QuoteIf you are ever in the U.K.... bring your boots. If I ever win the Lottery, I'm hiking all over the world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #29 May 22, 2006 More: Photo 1: Waterhole on top of the big rock. I tried to get fancy and catch my reflection in the water. But the sky was overcast so there wasn't much sunlight, and the wind was blowing and making ripples in the water. So my reflection looks kind of discombobulated. Come to think of it, maybe that is the perfect symbolism for me. Photo 2: Waterhole in valley between two big rocks. I liked the giant house-sized boulder too, which dwarfs me. This was a beautiful little place. (With too many city-slicker hikers.) A pack of boy scouts came by while I was enjoying the serenity, and the troop leader asked me: "Which way to Enchanted Rock?" "Up that valley and turn left", I replied, pointing. But what I was thinking inside was; "You're Boy Scouts, and you're friggan’ lost?" Photo 3: I might as well end my photos with a little humor. This seed pod was growing on a tree up on the side of one of the big rocks. I have no idea what kind of tree it comes from. But I sure know what it reminds me of, and I ain't sayin' it - you'll have to use your own vivid imaginations. That's the end of all my good photos. I hope you liked them. Enchanted Rock is a great place for a day or weekend of hiking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bch7773 0 #30 May 22, 2006 great photos, i love the descriptions MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bluheelrtx 0 #31 May 23, 2006 Quote It would make good panther country . . . There was a dead bobcat on 290 at Roberts Road this morning. I had not seen any before this year, but now I have seen several. I'm sure that they are being displaced. I hate sprawl. -- Jason ---- Jason -- Some people never go crazy. What truly boring lives they must lead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #32 May 23, 2006 Quotegreat photos, i love the descriptions Thank you. People love stories, and those help make the photos even better. They work well in job interviews too. Instead of saying "I increased availability of the online system from 90% to 99.5%", you tell a story: "Well, once upon a time we had this problem with system crashes, you see, so I..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #33 May 23, 2006 QuoteThere was a dead bobcat on 290 at Roberts Road this morning. I had not seen any before this year, but now I have seen several. I'm sure that they are being displaced. I hate sprawl. For the readers: we're talking here about the country northwest of Houston, TX. Aren't you part of that sprawl? I haven't had the good fortune to see a bobcat out there. Heck, I haven't even heard the coyotes yapping for a while. Maybe that's just because the nighttime bonfire crowd now plays loud music, instead of sitting and talking quietly, enjoying the still night air. Do you still hear coyotes? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Channman 2 #34 May 23, 2006 John, I'm just getting back to your post. When at the falls just on the other side there is a natual Chimney Rock formation that you can clime. Not sure if you noticed it. Also on the other side of the falls there is a small cave that has what appears to be indian drawings in it. It's located on private property but is located no more than 75 yards or so from the water falls and is within the canyon. Its somewhat hidden from view by a large tree but is a nice find if you go back that way again. The small cave your in is know by many of my friends as Jesus's Tomb. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bluheelrtx 0 #35 May 24, 2006 Quote Quote For the readers: we're talking here about the country northwest of Houston, TX. Aren't you part of that sprawl? Sort of. My house is less than 1/100th of my lot, my fence (except right around the house) is pretty unrestictive, and I try to cultivate native plants to draw native wildlife. Quote Do you still hear coyotes? Not as often as I used to, but still sometimes. They actually woke me up the other night calling out for dinner. I don't know what they caught, but it sounded like it put up a hell of a fight. -- Jason ---- Jason -- Some people never go crazy. What truly boring lives they must lead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites karenmeal 0 #36 May 24, 2006 The water holes in some of those pictures are really beautiful. I would be terrified of snakes and other scary things if I were hiking down there!! You should consider planning a backpacking trip in the Northwest sometime. Here is a photo for inspiration. (And I wanted to show off some of my backpacking pictures too!) "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #37 May 24, 2006 QuoteWhen at the falls just on the other side there is a natual Chimney Rock formation that you can climb. Not sure if you noticed it. Also on the other side of the falls there is a small cave that has what appears to be indian drawings in it. It's located on private property but is located no more than 75 yards or so from the water falls and is within the canyon. The small cave your in is know by many of my friends as Jesus's Tomb. Ohhh, more good tips. I love finding this kind of stuff that the Park tries to keep secret. I've done a lot of exploring of old Indian caves, and would love to see this one. But there are numerous signs in the park warning that the far side of the river is private property, and subjects you to trespassing charges. That means I'd have to be really sneaky. I've been known to be really sneaky on occasion. You've given me enough tips on things there that it'll be worth a return trip to explore further. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #38 May 24, 2006 QuoteQuoteAren't you part of that sprawl? Sort of. My house is less than 1/100th of my lot, my fence (except right around the house) is pretty unrestictive, and I try to cultivate native plants to draw native wildlife. Yeah, I know. I was just poking you with a stick there. Your area isn't like that giant Fairfield multi-thousand home development. That's the kind of stuff that drives the wildlife out. And suburbs like that are racing out in your direction... Where were you team jumpers last Saturday? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #39 May 24, 2006 QuoteThe water holes in some of those pictures are really beautiful. I would be terrified of snakes and other scary things if I were hiking down there!! You should consider planning a backpacking trip in the Northwest sometime. Here is a photo for inspiration. Wow! Beautiful photo. Those mountains look awfully tall and steep though... I don't do too well on the really tough climbs - I'm gettin' kinda old. I can handle 2-3,000 of elevation climb for a healthy day hike. I've done 4,000' in a day before, and had to use sheer will-power to force myself to keep going. But that was up a steep hill, with much loose rock, which made it worse. I'd rather trade a short, steep hike for a longer, more gradual climb. I'd love to visit the northwest someday. In the summer! Attached: photo of me atop Wheeler Peak, NM, at 13,000+ feet. Ugh! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites aprilcat 0 #40 May 24, 2006 John...They are ALL great. Hope you don't mind but I took #3 (the rocks) for wallpaper. You got some cool lizards, but I love the rock photos. Thanks for sharing....April Camelot II, the Electric Boogaloo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #41 May 25, 2006 QuoteJohn...They are ALL great. Hope you don't mind but I took #3 (the rocks) for wallpaper. You got some cool lizards, but I love the rock photos. Thanks for sharing....April Oh my; a woman who shares my fascination with rocks & lizards. I'm flattered that you liked the photo that much. I think I'm in love... Soooo... what do you think of guns? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 2 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 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JohnRich 4 #29 May 22, 2006 More: Photo 1: Waterhole on top of the big rock. I tried to get fancy and catch my reflection in the water. But the sky was overcast so there wasn't much sunlight, and the wind was blowing and making ripples in the water. So my reflection looks kind of discombobulated. Come to think of it, maybe that is the perfect symbolism for me. Photo 2: Waterhole in valley between two big rocks. I liked the giant house-sized boulder too, which dwarfs me. This was a beautiful little place. (With too many city-slicker hikers.) A pack of boy scouts came by while I was enjoying the serenity, and the troop leader asked me: "Which way to Enchanted Rock?" "Up that valley and turn left", I replied, pointing. But what I was thinking inside was; "You're Boy Scouts, and you're friggan’ lost?" Photo 3: I might as well end my photos with a little humor. This seed pod was growing on a tree up on the side of one of the big rocks. I have no idea what kind of tree it comes from. But I sure know what it reminds me of, and I ain't sayin' it - you'll have to use your own vivid imaginations. That's the end of all my good photos. I hope you liked them. Enchanted Rock is a great place for a day or weekend of hiking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #30 May 22, 2006 great photos, i love the descriptions MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluheelrtx 0 #31 May 23, 2006 Quote It would make good panther country . . . There was a dead bobcat on 290 at Roberts Road this morning. I had not seen any before this year, but now I have seen several. I'm sure that they are being displaced. I hate sprawl. -- Jason ---- Jason -- Some people never go crazy. What truly boring lives they must lead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #32 May 23, 2006 Quotegreat photos, i love the descriptions Thank you. People love stories, and those help make the photos even better. They work well in job interviews too. Instead of saying "I increased availability of the online system from 90% to 99.5%", you tell a story: "Well, once upon a time we had this problem with system crashes, you see, so I..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #33 May 23, 2006 QuoteThere was a dead bobcat on 290 at Roberts Road this morning. I had not seen any before this year, but now I have seen several. I'm sure that they are being displaced. I hate sprawl. For the readers: we're talking here about the country northwest of Houston, TX. Aren't you part of that sprawl? I haven't had the good fortune to see a bobcat out there. Heck, I haven't even heard the coyotes yapping for a while. Maybe that's just because the nighttime bonfire crowd now plays loud music, instead of sitting and talking quietly, enjoying the still night air. Do you still hear coyotes? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Channman 2 #34 May 23, 2006 John, I'm just getting back to your post. When at the falls just on the other side there is a natual Chimney Rock formation that you can clime. Not sure if you noticed it. Also on the other side of the falls there is a small cave that has what appears to be indian drawings in it. It's located on private property but is located no more than 75 yards or so from the water falls and is within the canyon. Its somewhat hidden from view by a large tree but is a nice find if you go back that way again. The small cave your in is know by many of my friends as Jesus's Tomb. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluheelrtx 0 #35 May 24, 2006 Quote Quote For the readers: we're talking here about the country northwest of Houston, TX. Aren't you part of that sprawl? Sort of. My house is less than 1/100th of my lot, my fence (except right around the house) is pretty unrestictive, and I try to cultivate native plants to draw native wildlife. Quote Do you still hear coyotes? Not as often as I used to, but still sometimes. They actually woke me up the other night calling out for dinner. I don't know what they caught, but it sounded like it put up a hell of a fight. -- Jason ---- Jason -- Some people never go crazy. What truly boring lives they must lead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #36 May 24, 2006 The water holes in some of those pictures are really beautiful. I would be terrified of snakes and other scary things if I were hiking down there!! You should consider planning a backpacking trip in the Northwest sometime. Here is a photo for inspiration. (And I wanted to show off some of my backpacking pictures too!) "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #37 May 24, 2006 QuoteWhen at the falls just on the other side there is a natual Chimney Rock formation that you can climb. Not sure if you noticed it. Also on the other side of the falls there is a small cave that has what appears to be indian drawings in it. It's located on private property but is located no more than 75 yards or so from the water falls and is within the canyon. The small cave your in is know by many of my friends as Jesus's Tomb. Ohhh, more good tips. I love finding this kind of stuff that the Park tries to keep secret. I've done a lot of exploring of old Indian caves, and would love to see this one. But there are numerous signs in the park warning that the far side of the river is private property, and subjects you to trespassing charges. That means I'd have to be really sneaky. I've been known to be really sneaky on occasion. You've given me enough tips on things there that it'll be worth a return trip to explore further. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #38 May 24, 2006 QuoteQuoteAren't you part of that sprawl? Sort of. My house is less than 1/100th of my lot, my fence (except right around the house) is pretty unrestictive, and I try to cultivate native plants to draw native wildlife. Yeah, I know. I was just poking you with a stick there. Your area isn't like that giant Fairfield multi-thousand home development. That's the kind of stuff that drives the wildlife out. And suburbs like that are racing out in your direction... Where were you team jumpers last Saturday? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #39 May 24, 2006 QuoteThe water holes in some of those pictures are really beautiful. I would be terrified of snakes and other scary things if I were hiking down there!! You should consider planning a backpacking trip in the Northwest sometime. Here is a photo for inspiration. Wow! Beautiful photo. Those mountains look awfully tall and steep though... I don't do too well on the really tough climbs - I'm gettin' kinda old. I can handle 2-3,000 of elevation climb for a healthy day hike. I've done 4,000' in a day before, and had to use sheer will-power to force myself to keep going. But that was up a steep hill, with much loose rock, which made it worse. I'd rather trade a short, steep hike for a longer, more gradual climb. I'd love to visit the northwest someday. In the summer! Attached: photo of me atop Wheeler Peak, NM, at 13,000+ feet. Ugh! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aprilcat 0 #40 May 24, 2006 John...They are ALL great. Hope you don't mind but I took #3 (the rocks) for wallpaper. You got some cool lizards, but I love the rock photos. Thanks for sharing....April Camelot II, the Electric Boogaloo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #41 May 25, 2006 QuoteJohn...They are ALL great. Hope you don't mind but I took #3 (the rocks) for wallpaper. You got some cool lizards, but I love the rock photos. Thanks for sharing....April Oh my; a woman who shares my fascination with rocks & lizards. I'm flattered that you liked the photo that much. I think I'm in love... Soooo... what do you think of guns? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
