Tag Archives: Hiking

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

A Winter Hike with Green Mountain Man (and My Favorite Photo of 2014)!

My brother (Mr. Green Mountain Man) and I have a tradition when I visit Vermont, we go on an outdoor adventure. He’s pretty good (really good) at taking me to some of my favorite spots to shoot photos and exposing me to new locations, no matter what season it is. He’s also great at running way ahead of me on a hike and making me feel like I’m a 400+lb person who can’t keep up on a walk. I’m not sure where he gets so much energy! Sometimes I don’t think he’s human (he practically ran up the entire hike up Mount Mansfield).

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Barn, Winter Barn, Eden Vermont

This year, we did something a little different – a winter hike. Our first destination attempt was to hike up to the windmills in Eden, Vermont where the view is “incredible”. I don’t doubt that it was but there was no where to park. Good thing there was a backup plan – hiking a trail to a deer camp in the middle of nowhere.

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

Mr. Green Mountain Man took this one!

Snow Covered Gate, Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Gate, Fence, Eden Vermont

Completely surrounded by white, glistening trees this is as close as anyone can ever get to a winter wonderland. I’m convinced. The woods were quiet, silent, where you could hear the crunch of the snow beneath every step, the chirping of the birds and the sound of the snow falling from the branches overhead. The sun was shining brightly, making the temperature perfect for a walk. Although it was below 30 degrees, the day was perfect to bask in the beauty of the outdoors.

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Eden Vermont Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

We left the truck and began walking on the trail thru the woods. The snow wasn’t that deep, with a small ice crust sitting on top for the extra “crunch” sound with each step. Lucky enough, we didn’t even need our snowshoes. We traveled on. As with every adventure with Green Mountain Man, I hear a “let’s go this way” and off the trail we went. I immediately followed with a “we’ve done this before!”. Our trip just got a little longer. Not much longer as we shortly found ourselves back on the trail.

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

The walk led us thru the trees to a deer camp of a friend of my brothers. No running water. No electricity. No plumbing.

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Deer Camp, Vermont Deer Camp, Hunting Camp, Eden Vermont Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Deer Camp, Vermont Deer Camp, Hunting Camp, Eden Vermont

To my excitement, there happened to be a toilet just sitting on the front porch. Although my brother wasn’t enthused (and it took some convincing), my favorite photo of the entire year was born!

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Deer Camp, Vermont Deer Camp, Hunting Camp, Eden Vermont, Hunter, Toilet

My favorite picture of 2014. It’s perfect!

After a short photo shoot, the hike continued a little farther up and then back to the truck where we parked. Mr. Green Mountain Man made sure we didn’t go the most direct way, circling thru the trees and off the beaten path. (Perhaps we both have that in common, steering off the direct route, him in trees, myself on the roads.) He refused to take a picture of me on this throne previously so I had to settle for this log. He made it quite known that if I was to fall backwards, he was prompt and ready with the camera.

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

I think he was praying that I’d fall backwards…

We made it back to the truck, a little exhausted but both glad we had that chance together. It was such a beautiful day, the weather in the 20’s but with the snow, it was perfect. Our own snow globe!

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

Thanks again Mr. Green Mountain Man! You are the best!

Vermont, Winter Hike, Hunter, Green Mountain Man, Hike

Now onto the next adventure, who knows what it will be!

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

Marion Sansom Park, Fort Worth

In North Fort Worth, the Marion Sansom Park can be found just south of Hwy 820 and Jacksboro Highway 199. This past weekend, I headed out to enjoy the beautiful weather (it was almost 70 degrees in January) with a couple of friends and their dogs. We had such a good time!

Marion Sansom is popular for mountain biking, hiking and trail running.  You’ll find expansive views of the Lake Worth dam, a Love tree, waterfalls and great elevation changes. As someone who misses the mountains, elevation changes are phenomenal when found in North Texas!

This is definitely a popular place for mountain bikers and a great place to just feel like you’ve gotten completely away from the city life With about 10+ miles of trails, you could spend a solid morning or afternoon here. A few concerns about the park, there’s a few places with lots of broken glass so be careful and the elevation in a few spots are quite steep with lots of loose rocks. The trail signs could be marked better so definitely go with someone who has been before or check out the map before hand online.

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Have you had a chance to check out Marion Sansom Park? What’s your favorite park? 

Today I’m linking up with Communal GlobalThe Jenny EvolutionPhotography Essentials,  and Create With Joy for {Wordless Wednesday}.

River Legacy Park

River Legacy, Arlington, Texas, DFW Hiking, DFW Parks

Spending time outside is my ultimate escape from the busyness of the everyday world. It’s a huge part of my life and some days I can’t get enough. Whether it’s running, hiking or biking, one of my favorite locations in the DFW area is River Legacy Park in Arlington, Texas.

Took a break and went for a hike today. The weather couldn’t have been better! #LiveLifeOutside

A photo posted by Diana Bockus (@downhometraveler) on

This past weekend, I took a little break from all the things that need to be done for a little me time. I hit the dirt and went for a little hike. The weather was perfect, the sounds of the trees and animals relaxing and it was just what this country girl needed.

River Legacy encompasses every aspect of what one may be looking for in a park. Situated next to the Trinity River and Lake Viridian, River Legacy spans 1,300 acres. The options are endless and there’s something for everyone. Parks, grilling, a playground, athletics, paved and unpaved running trails, mountain biking trails, hiking paths, canoe and kayak launches, an educational center and so much more! That’s just recreation.

River Legacy, Arlington, Texas, DFW Hiking, DFW Parks

River Legacy, Arlington, Texas, DFW Hiking, DFW Parks

Nature has so much to do with this. How lucky are we to have an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle of the city life into a place that makes everyone feel as if they’re a thousand miles away from all of that. And you never know what you’ll see. Birds, armadillo’s, snakes, I’ve even seen a couple bobcats sunbathing. (Visit my Instagram page for some pictures of creatures I’ve seen along the way.)

River Legacy, Arlington, Texas, DFW Hiking, DFW Parks

The people are friendly, the trails are lengthy and you get options of whether you want to hit the paved trail or get off the grid a little bit more and hit the dirt! If anything, it seems as if there’s something new to check out or see on each trip.

River Legacy, Arlington, Texas, DFW Hiking, DFW Parks

Have you been to River Legacy? Where’s your favorite place to hike in the North Texas?

River Legacy Park / 701 N. Green Oaks Drive, Arlington, TX 76006