An Unexpected Treat 092509

That's what Monday was for me. I had my plans, my agenda, my schedule planned. After taking Vanessa back to work from lunch I was going to do my grocery shopping. I had put it off to the point I had to drop by the store to pick up just enough items to fix the next meal! I usually go the day of or a few after payday but last week I worked at the store Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I didn't feel like shopping afterwards.
I drop Vanessa off and head to my first stop, Walgreens. When I finished there I planned to go to Walmart. As I got in the truck I realized I didn't make the church's bank deposit when I dropped off Vanessa. So I went back to the bank. While there Doyle called me. Back to the story in a minute.....

Doyle went back to work Sept 1st. but because he had been off work due to injury he was unable to take any vacation. His anniversary date is October. He had to take two weeks or lose it so after working a couple of weeks he was off for two weeks! During this time we had friends who own a lakehouse on PK Lake. They are going to build a new one. Before demolition we were able to go through and take out anything we could use in the Peanut Palace. That was very helpful to us. Doyle has been removing cabinets and fixtures the last several days. On Monday he had got to the lake without a tool he needed. That's where the story picks back up. Doyle, told me he didn't have to have it but if I was were I could bring it to him it would help. He said I could walk the new trail at the lake if I wanted. I gave it some thought and weighed my options. I decided the groceries could wait. The store is open 24 hrs right?! I went home to get the tool he needed. While there I made the decision to take Kaidence with me. I wanted to take all the dogs but I wasn't sure that I wanted to try to keep up with all four on an unfamiliar trail.

Here Kaidence and I stand at the entrance to the trailhead. The irony of this is 2 years ago when Doyle & I stayed here for a mini retreat I hiked this same area but at that time there was no trail. I remember commenting to Doyle there should be a trail. In some ways reflecting back to that time I think I was “prophetically” hiking the new trail! I was truly excited. It is a wonderful trail….although there is no water for man or beast along the route and it was 90 on Monday. I had water with me that I shared with Kaidence.

The trail winds around through mesquite, oak and cedar trees in and around cactus. The trails have very sandy soil.

Some of the last of summer's flowers.

I was so excited to get this photo! So beautiful!

I thought it was taking too long to get to the end of the trail so I did a “no-no” and went off trail to make way to the lake. This photo is taken where I left the designated trail. I just love how you can see the rays of sunlight against the dark clouds.

Blazing my own trail to the lake I hear rumbles of thunder. When I finally got to a clearing enough to see the sky I saw dark clouds. I watched long enough to think that the storm was going to stay west and south of me when a big gust of wind nearly blew me over! I was definitely too far to go back where we came from so I pushed on toward the lake knowing I could find shelter there if it began to rain. So from here we blaze some more trail. This time it was much heavier woods and was all rocks!

Kaidence on a dirt trail we found leading us closer to our destination.

Kaidence didn't seem to be too sure I knew what I was doing! It was pretty rough walking. I really should have had boots on! I'm really surprised I didn't stir up a rattlesnake!

Lake is finally in view!

Sun rays being interrupted by rain clouds. See the "spot of sun" on the water?