Friedrich Wilderness Area Hike, San Antonio, TX

Scenic View

A couple of weeks ago I went down to San Antonio, TX for my son, Austin's, high school marching band competition that was being held at the Alamadome.  Although that was my main reason for being there, I decided to add a hike to the trip before coming home on Sunday.

It was a beautiful day that day around 78 degrees and I found a really great place to do a little hike.  It was a place called Friedrich Wilderness Area and it was actually right off the highway.  It was described as being a natural area with rugged trails and nice views.  After hiking in the White Mountains, I kind of laughed at anything in Texas being called a hike but this was the best I could do so I was going to make the most of it.  I wore my hiking pants and my Merrell hiking shoes and I packed a backpack and wore that too even though I didn't think I would really need anything in it.  But it was good practice to carry it anyway to keep in shape for the day when I would return to the White Mountains or some other mountain that I might want to climb.

The paved trail.

Upon arriving at the trailhead, the first thing I noticed was the trail was a blacktop paved trail.  What?!  I thought this was a wilderness area with rugged trails?  I was immediately disappointed but thought, "oh well, I'm here. I might as well take a walk."  So I continued on this paved trail with all my hiking gear on, thinking I should have worn flip flops instead.

I pressed on...wiping my brow of the sweat from the ruggedness of this hike.  It was almost too much to bear but I endured.  Thankfully I had my backpack with a couple of water bottles in it to help me and there was even a bench so I could sit and rest and take a drink.  What a life saver! (insert sarcasm)

As I laughed in my head and made mockery of this paved trail, I soon discovered that the paved part did not continue for very long at all and it became a dirt path with a bit of gravel mixed in.  Still, it was a smooth trail and I was only slightly more happy with it but I began to look around and found the trees to be interesting and decided perhaps this would be a nice little walk in the woods.  I still didn't know what they meant by "rugged" when they described these trails online but I was warming up to the place as at least being kind of pretty.  I had to realize that I wasn't going to find the beauty of the White Mountains in Texas so I needed to appreciate the beauty that was there for what it was.

Pretty canopy of trees

Neat looking trees

I walked some more and then lo and behold.....there it was!  Rugged trails!  I was delighted.  And not just a little rugged.  Lots of rocks and roots and steep inclines....just like the White Mountains. I....LOVED....IT!  I leapt and climbed up one rock and then another, grabbed trees to pull myself up in other places.  Now this was more like it!  The only thing missing was a little dog named Atticus to lead the way and his best friend, Tom.  Otherwise, for that moment, it was just like my hike on South Moat Mountain.  Surprisingly, the steep incline lasted long enough for me to start getting short of breath.  I was really exerting myself.  This was a real hike!  It felt great.

Part of the rugged trail - rocks!

Ledge rocks!

At one point I came to a larger boulder that had stopped another couple in their tracks.  They were staring at it trying to decide how to climb up to continue the trail.  I went around them and found the logical place to step up and I heard the man tell his wife..."See...she did it.  Do it just like that." and then they both laughed, as did I, but only in my head.  I was having so much fun.

Larger rocks and loose rocks

Rocks and roots!

There were several scenic overlook areas along the way.  I was surprised how pretty Texas could be especially in this area that was just outside the city.  What a lovely place I had discovered.  The steep incline didn't last too terribly long...the hills in Texas only go so high, but after having my rugged trail to mimic the hike I longed for, I was thoroughly enjoying myself.  I completed the trail I set out to do and decided I wasn't done "playing" yet so I took a couple more trails before I was done.

Scenic overlook

Windmill found on one trail

Heart shaped cactus

I wanted to really notice everything around me and take it all in and appreciate it so I slowed down and just started looking around.  I took pictures of cacti, some in the shape of hearts, which made me think of someone I love.  Along the way, I started chasing butterflies.  I tried to take photos of a couple of them but could never get close enough before they would move again.  Then I noticed my own shadow on a stretch of the trail where the sun was shining through from behind me.  There was no one around at that point, so I got silly and put my arms in the air and played with my shadow and took pictures of that too.

Playing with my shadow

Alas, it was time to end the fun and head back to the car and ultimately head home.  I savored the last remaining steps on the dirt trail and smiled when I reached the paved trail portion once again.  Oh how it had fooled me in the beginning.  I had laughed and mocked this trail,  but the trail knew....she knew I would return at the end with that smile on my face and that feeling of fulfillment in my heart.

My old friend

A nice hike indeed.

A little remembrance of Atticus to take with me