Exploring the Beauty of Texas

I had the opportunity to brag about North Carolina recently.  I presented a program at our monthly Outdoor Club meeting about hikes we've taken, especially along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I pulled together pictures from DuPont State Forest, Linville Falls, Moses Cone, Mt. Mitchell, Julian Price and Stone Mountain for my presentation.  They enjoyed stunning scenic shots along the parkway to breathtaking waterfalls to colorful wildflowers and babbling brooks.  They all agreed that North Carolina is indeed a beautiful place.

What most of my friends back in North Carolina may not know, Texas is a beautiful place as well.  Many people believe that Texas is flat, dry, dusty and brown.  There are sections of Texas that resemble that description, but others sections rival the beauty found in North Carolina.  Texas is broken down into seven distinctive sections as shown in the map below.

I am thankful we live in the section of Texas known as the Pineywoods.  The Pineywoods is named for the thick forest of pines found through out the region.  I've commented to people from home that if I didn't know I was in Texas, I would think I was back in North Carolina.  Driving around Tyler is not much different scenery than driving around Charlotte.  Neighborhood streets are lined with yards of green, tall trees and flowering shrubs.  Interestingly, you can drive 5 miles down the road and be out in the middle of the country surrounded by green pastures and blue skies.

Pictured below are shots from various locations in the Pineywoods area.  The first is Caddo Lake State Park located in the North East section of Texas near Louisiana.  This is the park where I managed to stroll thru Poison Ivy.  The second picture is from the historic Azalea Trail in Tyler.  The third picture is a fall shot at the Rose Garden, also in Tyler.  The last picture is a scenic shot taken at the Mineola Nature Preserve.

Top L: Caddo Lake State Park; Top Right: Historic Azalea Trail
Bottom L: Rose Garden; Bottom R: Mineola Nature Preserve

We've visited Brazos Bend State Park in the Gulf Coast region.  This area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and is known for sea marshes, barrier islands, estuaries and bays.  It is nearly level.  Houston and Galveston are major cities in the Gulf Coast region.

Brazos Bend State Park

The other area we had a chance to visit is the Hill Country in Central Texas.  This area is known for it's rolling hills and grassland. The terrain is hilly with granite domes and caves.  It is also known for it's wildflowers in the spring.  We spent a weekend camping and hiking at Inks Lake State Park.

Inks Lake State Park

As you can see, Texas is more than flat, dry, dusty and brown.  There is beauty to be seen everywhere you go.  We look forward to exploring other regions of the state.

The Journey's We Take

A year ago, Jon and I had settled into a good routine.  During the week, I was in Charlotte and back to Hickory/Conover on the weekends.  Jon usually came down to Charlotte on Tuesday or Wednesday.  So, receiving phone calls and texts on Monday asking if he could come see me sent warning bells off in my head.  Of course, I now have an hour to ponder and speculate what is going on.  Did he just want to see me?  Possibly but not likely.  Was there a problem between the two of us? Oh, god I hope not.  Or was it a work situation?  If you are like me, you know all of those scenarios flew around my mind.  That seemed like the longest hour.

As we all know now, it was that work wanted him to transfer to Texas.  It was very obvious that this was the path we would need to follow.  That began the hardest period of my adult life.  I was lost in the thought of having to start over.  The only saving grace was having my best friend and soul mate there with me on this journey.

I moved a lot while growing up.  I learned at the ripe age of 6 that people would be in my life short term.  Our car was loaded and we said goodbye to our neighbors and great friends on Carr Street in Greensboro.  I remember crying so hard I got sick.  I went to 10 schools in the 12 years of regular education, so I eventually built up a lot of walls.  I became friendly and everyone knew me, but getting close to others took a lot of time and courage. In my mind, people were just temporary until the next move.  Why let them get close and hurt me when I move again?

Those who saw past the introverted new girl, found a friend for life.  Kim Holladay from the 4th grade - we still email all of these years later, Bonnie Bryant Howland and many others from Hawthorne Junior High School - still a part of my life, albeit not as frequently as I would like.  Ronette King from Broughton High School.  Denise Stanford Cook from UNCC and the way too long list of Jaycees from North Carolina.  (I would try to name them all, but I would sadly forget to list someone and all heck would break out!)

We've been in Texas nine months now.  I came into this knowing that I had to make it work or else I would be miserable and lonely. We are amused at the people who tell us "I've lived here for 10 years and have never been to Tyler State Park" or "I didn't know Tyler had a Women's Roller Derby Team".  I joked with Jon before we moved that we would be so freaking busy, we wouldn't know what to do with ourselves.  Since moving here:

• Jon joined the Astronomical Society of East Texas 
• I joined a Book Club and a Women's Social Club
• We joined the Outdoor Group of East Texas and the East Texas Trekkers
• I found a wine club that does monthly wine tastings
• Jon volunteered with the Ore City High School model rocketry club
• We both helped with the running of the inaugural Tyler Mini Maker Faire
• Found the local Jaycee chapter and are trying to get involved with them
• Found the closest HOBY site and are trying to get involved with them
• We signed up for the Texas State Parks annual passport to visit any park for free
• Participated in the UT Tyler Broadway Lights series for 2013 and have subscribed for 2014
• Became members at the TJC CESSE Planetarium and Discovery Science Place

We put together our calendar for the fall and can't believe how much is already on it. I'm looking forward to spending time with my husband as we explore more about our new home state of Texas!

Just watch out for the poison ivy! (Despite the popular belief that Texas is dry and dusty, much of the area we live in looks very similar to North Carolina, right down to the terrifying poison ivy.)