Return to Gorman Falls

We decided about two months ago that we wanted to return to Colorado Bend State Park near Lampasas, TX to hike and see Gorman Falls again.  It had been quite a while since we had been, and this makes a perfect "getaway" for us.  When we tried to get reservations all they had available were primitive sites a mile from the trailhead which meant I would get to test out my back again by packing in some of our equipment.

We got up bright and early (about 3:00 am) Sat. morning and set out.  We knew we wouldn't get sunrise pictures this time, but that was OK, we just wanted the early morning light at the falls.  This would be our first trip here since I got my camera and I was really excited to try my hand at "blurring" the water.

We got to the park and drove immediately to the falls trailhead, loaded up the camera equipment, and set off on the 1.5 mile hike down to the falls.  We were really kind of surprised that there weren't more cars there already - we were all by ourselves!

We made our way down the trail and finally heard the falls - turned the corner and we could see the top of the falls, made our way down the slick rocks and we were there!  A little disappointed because there was so much vegetation it covered up some of the views, but I was able to get these four shots I was pretty happy with!  Hope you like them too....

(Don't forget to double click the first photo if you would like to see them larger!)

This was the first shot I tried.  I moved to the left of the falls and was able to get the light shining through  both the water and trees.  I later decided I should have taken this one using my other lens, but by the time I figured it out the light had changed.  I still like the way the picture turned out though.

I moved down to the bottom of the falls and got this shot through the trees.  See what I mean about the vegetation?  This is so much prettier when you can see the calmer pool below the rocks, but there just isn't any way to show that in April.

As I walked around looking at various ways to take the pictures I heard some more water flowing just below us closer to the river.  I walked down a steep path to the river bank, climbed out onto a rock in the river and was able to get this shot of the water rippling over the rocks and down into the Colorado River itself.

This is possibly my favorite picture this trip.  I just love the way the colors are so warm...really shows that early morning light.

We really intended to get more pictures of other areas of the park this trip as well, but things just didn't work out that way.  I was very happy to get these four pictures - after all, we were only there one day.  I think we'll be going back in the fall to see what it looks like then.  It may be even prettier!

Running Again!!!

I am so excited to say that I am now back in training!  I simply don't do well just "running"...I just seem to need to have a race that I am training for.  So......since I am officially starting all over, I just registered for a 5K to train for.  I have set it up to have plenty of time...It isn't until October 27th....I should be plenty ready by then!  (In fact don't be surprised if I don't sign up for a race or two before October if I find another I really like!)

This will be the inaugural run of this race and it will be run at Texas Motor Speedway - with a NASCAR type theme for the entire race.  The course is actually a little over two laps of the 1.5 mile mile oval.  There will be lots of Race Themed activities going on as well. The folks from the Cowtown Marathon Series are helping out so ... THIS should be FUN! 

Now - I have already started my Couch to 5K training program.  (C25K) and it has been going pretty well.  Week 1 Day 1- 5 minute warm-up walk, then I ran/walked for 15 minutes at a 1-1:30 ratio, 5 minute walk cool-down,  for a total of 1.76 miles.  This morning I did W1D2 ... messed up a little as I didn't know I had to change the days myself - so I did a 4 minute walk warm-up before I realized I was doing Day 1 over again!  Re-started 5 min walk warm-up, 20 min run/walk at the 1 - 1:30 ratio, cool-down walk for a couple of mins. for a total of  2.50 miles in 31:55.  I was pleased that I already saw some progress, AND that it wasn't too difficult - even ramping it up a little.  Hope that continues to be the case...we'll see.

I'll try to faithfully post about the training and how it is going...as well as if I decide to try some more races in between...if only for my own historical perspective!

Would love to have some of you join me - we CAN do this!!!

Run on!