Today, Saturday, Mar. 10th
we were up within 10 minutes of each other. After a restless sleep on Thursday night,
for some reason, I slept really well last night.
It was 7:10 when I woke. What
a great looking morning! The sun has full control of the blue sky yet I felt no
encouragement to get out and walk. I think that was simply because today is a
rest day for us and I have all day to take jaunts around the area if and when I choose.
At the corner of Hwy 380 and Bottomless Lake Rd (409) there are 3 historic markers Unfortunately, not everyone respects such informative markers |
Some 'morons' chose to damage them making it difficult for us to read the stories |
Very disturbing to see shot gun shells all over the parking lot |
We had our tea and coffee together
and caught up on blog reading while having a half grapefruit each. The
temperature was hovering around 46F and quickly rose to 64F by 9:30. We both
got cleaned up, put our shorts on, took our walking sticks and hopped in Black
Beauty. We wanted to tour the park a bit and check out the ‘Bottomless’ lakes
here. Interesting story of where the famed name came from.
I love reading how places get their names |
While Bill was talking to his Dad this morning, I noticed this fellow walking on the road up on the mountain behind us |
This is where I saw him without the zoom Yup, I have good eye sight and I notice things |
Leaving the Lea Lakes Rec Area where
we are camped we pulled into the Lower Ridge primitive camp area and parked.
There were quite a few lakes named on the placard so we read that first and
then started walking. The first one is called The Inkwell, aptly named because
it is encircled by a craggy red rock wall and seems to drop right down into a
well. Standing there on the edge, looking down about 20 feet, we could see fish
taunting the visitors.
The Visitor Centre was closed when we were nearby so I don't have the information on how deep each of these lakes are but trust me, they are NOT bottomless |
We hiked up over the ridge where we
had an awesome view of Devil's Inkwell Lake and around the base, down to the beach of Pasture
Lake. This lake was about the side of the pond back home at The Ridge, minus all the weedy growth.
"Hey!" Bill says, "Check out the alligator!" |
From the road you can't see the lake |
The beautiful Devil's Inkwell can be viewed with a wee walk |
No fishing and these little 5" guys know it! |
We walked up this rocky path (my heart was pumping because of the water!) |
And we had this great view over Pasture Lake and some of the State park We followed the sandy/rocky path down the hill and around to that sandy beach |
Bill descended down this steep trail but I didn't |
We continued to walk around the lake to get to the beach on the far (south) side |
Not a selfie, Bill took this one |
Our selfie |
There is no swimming or fishing in these lakes but a couple of them
looked like they would be great places to kayak. Next was Figure
Eight Lake , two lakes not joined but close together and in the shape of an 8.
One end of the Figure 8 Lakes, couldn't get them both in the same picture They were both very large |
Mirror Lake from above |
Walking a bit further, we stopped at Mirror
Lake where from our vantage point, we could see a young family, Mom, Dad, child
and 2 dogs on the sandy beach. This lake, again aptly named, was two bodies of
water joined by a shallow strip. When they left, we walked over and down the
steep rocky steps to the beach.
Rock sitting If I appear a little insecure, it is probably because it was a bit of a chore to get on that rock! |
My sweetie looks quite comfy on the tree root step |
"did you see that?" |
We drove further down and parked near
the Visitor Centre. Hiking back on the trail we walked to the edge of the last
one we would see here. This one was called Cottonwood Lake and it was very cool
to stand on a rocky cliff looking down. There were quite a few Prickly Pear
Cactus growing up the sides of the ridge.
I offered to take a picture of a
young couple on the edge, if they promised not to fall in, and they in turn did
the same for us. She called it team work!
Cottonwood Lake |
Off they went and we began chatting
with another lady there with her dog, Lucky. We walked back together and she
told us of how she and her husband bought an old 1980 Casita trailer two weeks
ago.
Bill leads the way to Cottonwood Lake Notice the couple at the edge of the cliff? |
They only do day or weekend trips and
have a few things to fix up inside although she seemed to love its dated decor.
Sandra and Bill (!) were a nice couple and gave us (‘such nice people’) lots of
encouragement to come back again to their country. They had a lot to share of
places to see in the area, living in Roswell now, where his home roots are.
Wishing each other safe journey, we hopped in the truck to head back.
The day was certainly a hot one,
reaching 81F in the heat of the sun. We were thankful for the wind today or it
would have been ridiculously hot. Earlier this morning, a strong gust of wind
blew our Weber Q off the picnic table. We didn’t see it until later as Black
Beauty blocks the view for the most part. Weber is fine although one of the side
trays broke. We don’t always use both trays but Bill is going to try a repair
job anyway.
A nice write-up about one of our favourite desert critters |
And one of the most frequent cactus |
We sat inside and discussed tomorrow’s
travel day and how far we plan to go. Well, Jello aside, we know of a few
destinations where we can stop but hope to go further than Amarillo, Texas if
possible. We will be entering a new time zone tomorrow after setting our clocks ahead tonight for Daylight Saving Time. Destination tomorrow is up to my driver and I totally trust Bill’s mindset. He knows
when he needs a break and I know when I need one.
Don't forget! |
We moved outside and Bill
packed Broken-Wing Weber away and once we moved inside, our chairs etc. Supper tonight is mini sausages and
mac and cheese with a veggie on the side.
It was good! Bill likes ketchup on his KD |
Tonight's sky We sat outside for a while and watched trailers move around in the dark It sure is filling up on this weekend marking the beginning of Spring break! |
I hope you’ve had fun today too.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and see what gabby had to say. I’d
love to hear from you if you so choose to leave a comment.
That's my kind of day. Love hiking but don't get to do much alone - I'd probably fall off a cliff. Hugs to Clemson!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe don't hike much, I'm not very brave and certainly not alone!
DeleteClemson thanks you for the hug.
It will now be known as the "broken wing webber". I love it. Looks like a great hike.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, yup. It was embarrassed yesterday so I didn't take a picture.
DeleteYou sure got your excercise today. Makes me feel like a slug! It rained off and on and I had
ReplyDeletehousework to do. Hopefully some walking after church tomorrow.
Your heading to Texas..... Is this your path back to your home in Canada?
Yes, we don't hike much or too far but I enjoy it if it isn't risky. :)
DeleteThe Texas panhandle direction but hope to get to Oklahoma today. This is our route home.
Nice that you got those lakes all checked out a very interesting area to explore.
ReplyDeleteTravel safe to day and enjoy the journey.
Nice views of the lakes for sure!
DeleteThanks George!
It always makes me mad that people don't respect the signs that are put there for people to read. Sure wish the rangers would catch them while it's happening. A beautiful hike, although some of those trails look scary to me. The one where you're sitting on the rock especially! You're a brave girl :) The wind is howling here this morning..how about in your neck of the woods? Travel safe today!
ReplyDeleteMy position on that rock isn't the most ladylike but it was the best spot! haha
Deletethe wind was crazy around midnight, the Suite was rocking and stuff blown all over the place this morning. It is calm now as we hit the road. :)
thank you!
The lakes are beautiful...the colour is amazing! As for the sign destruction, I guess if you carry a gun, you think you have to use it!
ReplyDelete