The Fort Worth Nature Center is a bit off the beaten path and is a jewel of a find! There are 3,621 acres of awesome wildernes with over 20 miles of hiking trails where buffalo and praire dogs run free! (Just checking to see if you are paying attention, the buffalo are actually inside a fence.)
The cost is $5 for adults, $2 for kids AND they offer a military discount ~ $1 off everyone in the car.
As our hiking adventure begins everyone is super stoaked and ready to go!
I had to take a picture of this because as the children read this sign and tried to figure out which way to go they decided to go in the direction of the "POOP". Seriously, check it out, the poop is the 2nd picture to the bottom. I mean what else could it be? (I'm serious, we NEVER figured it out - tell us if you know what it is!)
This is when the "B" family started questioning why I made Boy 3 the leader of this hiking adventure!
And then we came upon this bird lookout and all was forgiven. Granted we didn't see any birds, but we did hear them!
Ahhhh, nature.....
| | | Does anyone know what this is? It is the only one we found growing on the trees. I think the 2nd picture is after it opens. What do you think? |
Yes, that's my girl looking for creatures....
As always, at the end of each hike we show what we found and then vote on the 'coolest' item. From left to right starting with the big rock.
1. Heart shaped rock
2. Cool shell
3. Groovy green thing from tree
4. Hairy thing that we think might be POOP from an animal
5. Pretty pink rock
6. Spotted black bark
Vote on your favorite now.
A few of the coolest kids I have ever met!
I got so close to him I could have touched him. The kids opted to stay in the car. :o)
If you ever find yourself looking for something inexpensive and fun to do, pack a lunch and head out to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. There is so much to do from bird watching, kayaking, classes at the Hardwicke Interpretive Center (however get there a little early, we arrived at start time and the class was full - boo.), to hiking the multitude of trails! Just make sure you pack a lunch and take plenty of water as there are no services of this type at the Nature Center!
Giddy up partner, throw on your boots and saddled up your horse, it's time to head out to the Fort Worth Stock Yards where cattle roam free and children respect their elders. Ha....or something like that.
The arrival of the railroad in 1876 helped to make the stockyards what they are today. The Fort Worth Union Stockyards opened in 1890 and by 1907 the stockyards were selling 1 million cattle per year! The stockyards remained an important part of the cattle industry until 1950. Now the stockyards are in National Register listed as a historical district and a tourist trap! (OK, maybe not listed as a tourist trap in the National Register, but definitely a historical district!)
As you know the Fort Worth Stock Yards have seen their fair share of cattle roaming through these parts so why stop now? Every day at 11:30AM and 4:30PM a herd of longhorns travel through the stock yards giving the tourist a glimpse of history! Just make sure you stay on the curb and don't squat down while taking pictures or one of the ranch hands will kindly tell you to get back in line.
A few of our young'uns waiting to see the Longhorns travel through town.
I was a little nervous this might turn into the "
Running of the Bulls" .... so glad it didn't! Can you imagine what those horns could do to a person?
I love the brick road!
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There were so many cute stores along the way, but as luck would have it the kids only wanted to go into one store - The Candy Barrel! I mean who wouldn't? Barrels and barrels of candy! This is a kid's paradise!
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The kids had a great time in the "Cowtown Cattlepin Maze" and it only took them about 15 minutes to find their way out!
Our Gang hanging out in the old stables (turned stores) where the track runs through! This train is an actual running train however instead of carrying cattle it now carries people from Fort Worth to Grapevine and back.
I didn't get to spend nearly as much time at the Fort Worth Stock Yards as I would have liked to and that is why I
was taking notes on this trip! I had a great time with the kiddos BUT I can totally see the potential for a FABULOUS date night here with Hubby when he returns from Afghanistan!
Happy Trails Y'all - till next time!
Joe T. Garcia's. Yeah, I've heard of it. I've always wanted to go. People RAVE about this place so when Kim ask if we would like to go I was totally game.
We were seated outside at the only table with a purple table cloth. We thought this must mean something special...you know like only royalty was seated here. Come to find out it is the forgotten table as our waiter was super slow... As we were seated I was surprised we were not given menus. I shrugged it off thinking they would bring them back. Little did I know the menu consist of two choices, fajitas or enchiladas. Well that makes things easy enough! Fajitas and enchiladas it is! I ordered beef fajitas and told the kids what I thought they would like (Chicken fajitas for 2 of them and enchiladas for one of them...you see this way I get to try everything! I'm such a mastermind!)
beef fajitas
The best part about Joe's was the ambiance and the awesome company! We sat outside, there were water fountains and everything was so green and lush. I'm sorry I didn't get pictures of the grounds.
Two of the prettiest girls I know.
We all LOVED the nachos! Why haven't I ever thought to make nachos like this? So simple, yet so delicious.
All in all Joe's was a great way to kick off spring break! We had a great time catching up with friends, the weather was perfect for sitting outside and the food wasn't bad. Just remember if you are going to eat at Joe's arrive early, bring cash (they don't take credit cards), and a big appetite as their portions are HUGE!
This was the line at 6:45PM as we were leaving!
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