Tishamingo State Park Hike

We stayed 6 nights at Bay Springs, and during that time, made a day trip to nearby Tishamingo State Park.

The park, named after a Chickasaw chief, preserves Mississippi’s only real rock canyon. 13 miles of foot trails were built in the park during the 30’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

A swinging bridge, also built in 1939 leads the way to one section of the trail.

As we crossed the bridge, we were enjoyed watching the many large turtles sunning on available logs and rocks in Bear Creek. These turtles were huge, at least 12” across their shells, and we continued to spot more of them all day.

A rocky outcrop on the creek bank afforded us the ideal setting for our picnic lunch.

The woods contained several blooming bushes of mountain laurel and bush honeysuckle.

The trail was moderately rugged as it left the creek’s edge and began to climb, often over large rocks and roots.

The park is the only location in the state suitable for rock climbing, and our path wound along many of the huge outcroppings.

One of the highlights of the 3+ mile hike was the small waterfall we found, obviously originating from one of the many springs in the area.

The day was beautiful and the hike just the right length.

Bay Springs C.O.E. Park

Originally planning on making the next stop Florence, AL, we changed our minds and decided to check out Bay Springs C.O.E. just north of Tupelo. Once again, we were very glad we did. The campground has definitely won a place on our list of favorites.

Normally a very quiet peaceful park, the peace was threatened our second night there when a severe storm outbreak moved through the area. At one time, local radar was tracking 5 tornadoes at one time in northern Mississippi. We kept a close watch on the TV throughout the evening.

One tornado touched down 30 miles west of us, doing considerable damage. A lesser twister touched down just five miles from us, but we had no damage in the park at all.

Bay Springs has more amenities than any C.O.E. park we’ve visited. Attractions include a sand beach swimming areas, nice visitor center, laundry, numerous playgrounds, an amphitheatre, and attractive campsites.

Each asphalt site has a gravel patio complete with grill, grill side table, fire ring and picnic table, and usually a view of the lake.

There is also a three quarter mile nature trail along the lake.

We were surprised to find an observation area at the lock and dam, unusual considering the tighter security measures since 9/11.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Whenever we find ourselves in the vicinity of the Natchez Trace Parkway, that is the route we take. We love the “laid-back” feel of driving through the countryside with no commercial traffic and a 50 mph speed limit. The trace runs over 440 miles from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, TN. We have run the entire length 4 times. This time, we would only be on it from Jackson, MS to Florence, AL.

There are numerous historical sites on the Trace. We try always to make a stop at French Camp.

Located within the small community is a boarding school started over 100 years ago. The students earn their tuition and keep partly from scholarships and partly from working in the reconstructed village. A trip on the Trace is not complete without a stop at the Council House Café.














There are two desserts available. Ron favors the Bread Pudding, while I always have the Mississippi Mud.














In the adjoining building is a small two room gift shop filled with crafts created by the students.

Swinging Bridge Park, Jackson, MS

Three days later, we moved to Jackson, MS. We stayed two nights in the Swinging Bridge Campground on the south side of the city. We chose the area so that we could square dance with the local club. Curious about the name of the park, we began asking about the ‘Swinging Bridge’. Many of the ‘locals’ didn’t know if there really was a bridge or not, but a cable repairman told us how to find it.

A one lane road led to it.













The bridge, no longer in use, spans the Pearl River.






The old bridge was impressive, with steel cables as large as my wrist.










Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge has been very neglected, (obviously, from the graffiti) a local meeting place for youth.
Fires had even been set on its surface, burning large holes complete through. It's sad to see a piece of history deteriorating so.

Lincoln Parish Park, Ruston, LA

On Saturday, we moved eastward into northern Louisiana. We chose one of our all-time favorite parks, Lincoln Parish, to spend our 29^th wedding anniversary, April 27.

Occasionally while traveling, you happen onto that perfect little park, hidden away from the hustle and bustle, that seems like it was made just for you. Lincoln Parish is one of those parks for us.

We found it quite by accident several years ago, and return for a few days anytime we’re in the area. Located just 2.5 miles from Ruston, LA, it feels like a hundred miles away from anywhere. No traffic noise, just you, the birds, fish and a few other campers. Even motorboats are not allowed on the lake.

The camping sites are tucked in amongst the pines, overlooking the lake.

One of the offerings of the park is the Mountain Bike Trails, a 4 mile beginner trail and a 10 mile advanced, rated as one of the top trails in the country. For us, the bike trails provide excellent hiking.

A shorter, paved 1.25 mile path around the lake is just perfect ....

for that evening stroll,...

and catching the sunset.

Click here for a few more views throughout the park. (To return to blog, click your "back" arrow)

The Beauty of Texas Wildflowers

Texan natives have told us this year that the wildflowers are not as plentiful or showy as usual but we have been delighted by the roadsides. The popular Texas Bluebonnets were abundant.

Can you see why they are called Bluebonnets? I have not had internet access to research all the names of the flowers, but wanted to share some of the beauty.

Click on this photo
to see some of the many varieties
blooming this spring.
To return to blog, click your "back" arrow.

Our next planned stay was to be a C.O.E. park on Whitney Lake. When friends, Donna and Glenn arrived a day before us, they found the campgrounds nearly full, with only small sites still available. As an alternative, they checked us into the park where Donna’s uncle lives, Lake Whitney RV Park, a combination RV/Mobile home park.

It was not on the lake, as the name implies, but was a comfortable place to park for a week’s visit.

We took a drive around Whitney Lake before leaving the area. The campgrounds, for the most part, have gravel sites, and at least currently, a rather unkempt appearance. The area between lots had not been mowed, and weeds were getting knee-high. Downed limbs from a storm during the week made us glad we had not been parked there as originally planned.

Reynold's Creek, Waco Lake, Texas

Our next stop was Reynold’s Creek C.O.E. on Waco Lake. This park is trying to recover from last year’s devastating floods. Of more than 90 original campsites, only about half remain open. It appears the more scenic sites on the water’s edge have been closed permanently, and parts of the former campground has become a day use area for picnics and fishing.

We planned a stop here so we could attend the local square dance in nearby Speegleville. The club members (The Shooting Stars) could not have been more welcoming. We thoroughly enjoyed the night. Note the large yellow rock outside the hall – in square dance language, “yellow rocking” means hugging.

Cedar Breaks and Live Oak Ridge C.O.E.s

April 9 –

We arrived in Kerrille on Wednesday Morning, and stayed 3 days to visit with good friends, Donna and Glenn.

Saturday morning found us on the road again, through the scenic Hill Country. Texas is famous for its spring wildflowers, especially the bluebonnets, and the roadsides were alive with color.

The price of diesel fuel continues to alarm us. Since leaving Yuma, we paid $4.09 per gallon once, our first time to pay over $4.00. As we passed through Marble Falls on Saturday, we spotted this gas station price of $4.15, the highest we’ve seen yet.

We like to stay at Corps of Engineer parks (C.O.E.) and have found some beautiful parks throughout the U.S. The next three nights were spent at Cedar Breaks Park on Lake Georgetown. Aptly named, the cedar grove provided a welcome respite from the wind.

A 28 mile hiking trail surrounds Lake Georgetown and the community of Georgetown. While not in shape for a hike of that length, we did enjoy a 2.5 mile hike along the trail while at the park.

It wound through a wooded area, with an occasional glimpse of the lake.

On Tuesday, we moved a short 35 miles or so northward to Live Oak Ridge C.O.E., a small, but attractive, park on Belton Lake.

Here we were pleasantly surprised to find they are offering wireless internet access on a trial basis, which is enabling me to make this update.

The first thing you notice on arriving at Belton Lake is its mural, the largest we have seen. (Texas doesn’t do anything small).

Painted on the dam walls, the impressive mural stretches over 800 feet on its east side.

Depicting scenes from Belton’s history, the panels cover everything from covered wagons to its military installation.

Painted in the late 70’s by the local art students of University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, it provided an attractive solution to a growing graffiti problem on the wall.

Although not quite as impressive, a colorful mural also decorates the west side of the dam

Although Live Oak Ridge boasts no hiking trails of its own, just across the street is Miller Springs, an arboretum, with several winding trails. We hiked on one leading to the edge of the mural wall.

The trail also looked out over the canyons once cut by the Leon River, before the creation of Belton Lake.

We’ll enjoy another day here, then move on tomorrow.

Balmorhea State Park, Texas

Davis Mountain foothills

We overnight in the Balmorhea State Park in Texas.

The park is small (46 acres), located in the foothills of the Davis Mountains.

The park's main attractions are created by the San Solomon Springs. The springs fill a 'cienega' (desert wetland) and the canals of a refugium (a protected aquatic refuge), home to an endangered species of fish, assorted invertebrates, and turtles.

The springs also feed a large pool differs from most public pools in several respects: the 1 3/4-acre size, the 25-foot depth and the 72 to 76 degree constant temperature. It also has a variety of aquatic life in its clear waters, and ducks fishing from the surface. With a capacity of more than 3 1/2 million gallons, the pool has plenty of room for swimmers, while offering a unique setting for scuba and skin diving.

As we walked around the rim of the natural bottom pool, we spotted large catfish, multitudes of tiny fish, and an occasional turtle. Wonder if a turtle ever tries to dine on a bare swimmer’s toe?

Another unusual feature of the park is it’s observation windows to the underwater life. The endangered Comanche Springs Pupfish live nowhere else except in the refugium here. Another protected species is the Pecos Gambusia, which are excellent mosquito population reducers. This tiny fish is found only in a few places in Texas and New Mexico. Click HERE for our photos of the refugium, pool, and the aquatic life.

Although the small park does not hold enough attraction to warrant a future visit, it is an interesting overnight stop.

The next morning, we were on the road again, headed for Kerrville, TX and a visit with good friends, Donna and Glenn. The drive is scenic, even though we are on the interstate.

It is interesting to note that only in this small area of the country is the speed limit 80 m.p.h.