Brazos Bend Photo Op

Yesterday I went to Brazos Bend State park with my family.  You might notice that this is the second time in a row I am writing about Brazos Bend.  I made plans to go yesterday a few weeks ago, because I wanted to walk around and take pictures.  However, I also enjoy bike riding there, so I went last week with a friend from work.

This is a great time to visit the park because you are guaranteed to see alligators (it's nesting season).  Sure enough we saw a lot of alligators.

I wanted to try out my new camera.  I still need to  figure out how to use it.  I did not have a tripod, but the pictures did not turn out fuzzy.  They were a little over exposed, so I need to determine how to fix it.  

We arrived at the Hale Lake picnic area and walked along the river trail.  Next we drove over to 40 acre lake and walked around it so we could see some alligators.  You have the best chance of seeing alligators at Elm Lake and 40 acre lake, but there are more trees for shade at Hale lake. Steve grilled the hot dogs, and we had a lovely picnic at Hale Lake.   Anyway, here is a picture of our picnic area.  Isn't it pretty!

 Next week, I think we are going to the Mercer Arboretum.  I have never been, so I hope it is fun.  Till next week!

Bike riding at Brazos Bend

I wrote the previous post last week, but I was not happy with it, so I gave up in frustration.  I read it again today and decided it was fine, so I posted it as is.  The hardest thing about blogging is thinking that I have something to say that anyone cares about.  Oh well, if you don't care I guess you will not be reading it.

Anyway this week I went to a gardening class on Thursday at church.  It turns out that one of the sisters studied landscape architecture in college.  I learned that I could plant Mexican heather near the door by the house, and who I can go to for questions.  I also learned that builders in subdivisions will sell the top soil before building your house (what there is of it) and then only put a thin layer of sand down for the grass.  It makes gardening in new subdivisions difficult.

Yesterday I went on a bike ride with a friend from work at Brazos Bend state park.  There are a lot of trails that are good for biking.  However, for anyone who might be tempted to go, stay 

away from the trails the horses are allowed on.  When the ground is soft, the horses leave wholes in the ground that makes the going really rough.  The alligators were out in force.  We had almost gone all the way around 40 acre lake when we found two alligators on the trail.  We waited a few minutes and decided to turn around.  I bought a state park pass, so I can go more often.  I am hoping Lisa will get a bike soon as well.

As for a Yellowstone update, I have decided to stay two nights at Lake Yellowstone Hotel, two at the Old Faithful Inn, and two at Mammoth Springs Lodge.  I was reading a post on the Trip Advisor web site and the last entry said that the reservations opened up at last May for summer 2009.  I began freaking out, but then realized the entry was the last on the page.  On the next page the person apologized thinking that it was June instead of April.  However, she said that she called on May 1st last year for this year and could not get through until 11am.  She had to change her planned schedule because there were all ready days sold out at the Old Faithful Inn.  I don't know if the week we want to go is popular, but I think we can be flexible with dates.  (BTW we want to leave Houston on July 3rd and arrive in Yellowstone on July 6 -12)

On another note, the camera that I have been eyeing was on sale at Frys for $75 less than what I saw on Amazon.  So I know own a new camera.  I am looking forward to trying it out this weekend when I go to Brazos Bend again.  (Without the bikes, so time to take a picture.)

Well that is it for now.  Have a lovely week.  ;)

Why Before How

Well, another week has gone by.  Yesterday I attended a class through the College of the Mainland called Photography it's not in the taking.  It was a cool class.  The instructor was really good at relating the class to the students.  He did not speak to much about the technical aspects, but focused more on seeing the pictures you want to take.   One of the things he said is that reading will help you take better pictures.  For example if you want to take pictures of winter scenes, you should really read the writings of Robert Frost to help you fully appreciate the winter scenes.  One of the other things he said that I really want to try is to change the perspective when you take pictures.  I can't wait to get out and try it somewhere.   Lisa and I are planning to go to Brazos Bend State Park on April 19th.  I have not been there in several years and am looking forward to it.   

It's April now, and you can make reservations at Yellowstone for next summer beginning in May.   I am still trying to decide on the best places to stay.  The park is really big, so a lot of people like to move around from one lodge to another.  This makes it easier to visit different places in the park.