Making lunch — That’s the objective of this trip achieved, I’m at the Big Paddy Creek Scenic Overlook. It is time to make lunch and enjoy the view.
Outdoor Activities
Time spent in the great outdoors hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, paddling, and shooting. Anything well away from the madding crowd.
Signs of civilization — The yucca plants appear wherever there used to be an old homestead. Backpacking the Big Piney Trail, December 2023.
December 6, 2023 12:41
Frosty Morning in Paddy Creek Wilderness — Not that it is easy to see the frost in this picture, but it is there!
December 6, 2023 9:19
Running Repairs — I’ve always had a plan for dealing with broken shoes on the trail. But … that plan reckoned on the toe post breaking not the side posts. I did a bit of head scratching before I came up with this solution which lasted me the ten-plus miles I needed to hike to get back to the car.
December 6, 2023 8:14
Frosty Morning in Paddy Creek Wilderness — The temperature dropped to 19°F (-7°C) overnight. The predicted low was 28°F. Once again I was glad I changed my mind and packed my bigger and heavier 10°F quilts. 4
December 6, 2023 8:13
Paddy Creek — Day Two.
December 5, 2023 15:00
Spring with pools — I camped a short distance downstream from here where the hollow widened out letting me set up my hammock well away from the water sources.
December 5, 2023 14:55
Not where I expected to be, not what I expected to find, and some minor problems along the way — Finally I found a spring with lots of water. 3 2
December 5, 2023 14:51
Don’t take a step back …
December 5, 2023 11:14
Have a go at spotting my hammock — You should just be able to make it out. Center frame on the skyline!
December 5, 2023 10:38
Hammock Camping in Paddy Creek Wilderness — As it is going to be a short day in terms of mileage, I don’t have to rush to get on the trail. I took the time to light up my Firebox Nano stove for my morning coffee, breakfast, and a follow-up cuppa tea.
December 5, 2023 9:02
Morning view from my hammock — Day Two, Camped in Paddy Creek Wilderness.
December 5, 2023 7:40
Paddy Creek — Day One
December 4, 2023 21:00
Ooh, it fits! Camped in Paddy Creek Wilderness, at a spot I’ve nicknamed Paddy Creek Trolltunga. Backpacking the Big Piney Trail, December 2023.
December 4, 2023 16:17
The well was dry — I was surprised to spy a rat at the bottom of the well.
December 4, 2023 15:35
Gary on the trail (and a new hat, too) — on the South Loop at the short cut junction. Backpacking the Big Piney Trail, December 2023.
December 4, 2023 15:33
Sun burst through the trees — Taken on the South Loop at the short cut to the North Loop trail junction. I’m continuing on the South Loop — into the sun. It took me just over three-and-a-half hours to get here.
December 4, 2023 15:31
Not a lot of water — This is Little Paddy Creek. I’ve never seen it this low, it was not really running. That doesn’t bode well for my trip. And all the small springs I have passed so far have been dry too. 2
December 4, 2023 14:32
Roby Lake Trailhead — The Big Piney Trail, December 2023. And my plans for a four-day, three-night trip. Three-minute read, +1
December 4, 2023 11:27
Sunday morning therapy: cleaning — It’s good to push the keyboard away, get out the cleaning materials, and smell the G96 gun oil and Hoppes #9 gun bore cleaner while taking my time cleaning and checking my guns.
November 26, 2023 9:52
Sunset at Sea Rim State Park, Texas — When it got dark, we found out why we had the beach to ourselves — hordes of ferocious mosquitoes.
November 8, 2023 18:24
Sunset at Sea Rim State Park, Texas — When it got dark, we found out why we had the beach to ourselves — hordes of ferocious mosquitoes.
November 8, 2023 18:18
Sun, sand, and sea — Beach Camping at Sea Rim State Park, Texas.
November 8, 2023 14:25
Beach Camping at Sea Rim State Park, Texas. 2