The Canyon and The Spring

Peaceful. Last Autumn's leaves still carpeted the trail, even as Spring's green ferns burst into life along the creek bed, and buds on the trees promised a change of seasons was on the way. Though it was only the middle of February, it didn't feel like it. Callie and I ran away to the Hill Country of central Texas last weekend, and we couldn't have picked a better time to go. It was a warm, clear, and sunny day, and we were only a few miles into a long nine mile loop across Colorado Bend State Park, along the Texan Colorado River west of Austin. We were one of only a couple of groups of hikers on the spur to Gorman Spring along a canyon of the same name, hiking to see the spring that gives life to a terraced 70 foot waterfall that splashes down into the river below.

The short spur along a gorgeous canyon that looks like it is usually full of green during the summer was an easy walk beside the creek rushing to plummet over the edge of the river canyon. We had to cross the creek twice, with me going over the convienently placed rocks and Callie plunging into the cool depths of the stream without thinking twice. The dog loves water, and I really ought to get her a life jacket... Anyway, there was only one other couple some ways behind us and the loudest sounds were the bubbling creek and the bird songs. It was perfect.

Small butterflies fluttered around the wet earth next to the water and deep red buds peppered the bare trees above our heads, signaling that spring might be just around the next bend in the trail. Bright green moss already colored the creek bed rocks, giving firm places for bigger plants such as ferns to take root and extend their curls. In no time it seemed, Callie and I reached the end of the trail and Gorman Spring itself.

A large circular pool of water lay before us, with no indication that water rushed up from its depths to feed the creek except the lack of any other water source. It looked like any other crystal clear forest pool with a nearly still surface, though I knew that to be false. Callie wanted to go for a swim so bad, but out of regard to the signs asking hikers to keep themselves and their pets out of the water, she remained on leash and dry land. I did let her get out on a log overreaching the pool where she could sniff the water to her heart's content. Too soon, the other hikers caught up with us, and we left them to have the spring to themselves. We continued on, with many more miles to put under our feet before we were done for the day.

What I'm listening to: Our Demons by The Glitch Mob