Sounds like the the sequel to the Gunfight at OK Corral, huh? For Christmas I got a book on hikes around Austin and this was the first hike we chose.

Rimrock  Loop is part of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Austin. Technically, it’s a little over 26 miles west of Cedar Park. It’s definitely off the beaten path. When we arrived, there were two other cars in the small parking lot and on the trail we only ran into one other couple. Although we took this hike in late February/early March, it just didn’t seem to be a well known hiking spot. Fortunately for us, it was a great find. It’s a light to moderate hike, only three miles or so. There was a little bit of elevation change as the hike took you up a ridge (maybe 200-300 feet), which will bring any flat-lander to some heavy breathing and pain in the legs (especially if you’ve got a 30 pound kid on your back).

Supposedly, this area is home to the golden cheek warbler, which is one of the reasons this entire area is protected. Either they weren’t around or I didn’t know what I was looking for. Regardless, it was a great hike for this little family of three. Titus did okay, as long as we kept him occupied with munching on peanuts and raisins or gave him a stick to hold (as long as he didn’t hit his dad in the head with it).

I can’t really judge as I haven’t been on too many hikes in the Austin area, but from what I can assume, this is a great little hike. I highly recommend getting out to hit the Rimrock. You’ll have some nice views and the hike feels substantial for what low-landers are used too.

[View with PicLens]

I really like to hike. I like it a lot. Being that I grew up in the flat swampy region of South Georgia, I didn’t really get a lot of opportunities to really hike. When I was 18, I trained for and climbed to the top of Pikes Peak and I was hooked. Unfortunately, I still live in the flat lands. The good thing though about where I live in Texas is that there are some hills to explore, some beautiful outlooks and great water features. It’s better than nothing, right?

So, I got this book and I’m excited to knock some of these hikes off the list (becasue that’s the way I am). Already, Sara and I (and Titus too) have done two hikes and we’re looking forward to getting more under our belt. Now that it’s summer, we’ll either have to do early morning hikes or pick back up on the hiking in the Fall when the weather is more agreeable. That’s okay though, we still have a couple dozen swimming holes to hit, BBQ joints to taste and burgers to try (did I not tell you about my burger list)?

Maybe one day I’ll live next to a mountain. Until then, these Texas trails will have to do.

Tonight just after bath time, Titus and I were reading his Bright Baby “Animals” book. He knows all the animals pretty well. He also knows the sounds most of them make. The ones he doesn’t know, he makes up.

Then we came across this picture.

Me: Titus, what animal is this?

Titus: Fox!

Me: That’s right. What does the fox say?

Titus: Swiper no swiping! Awwwww maaaaaaan!

I read to Titus from his Beginners Bible every night. It’s one of his staples. The other Staple is Cars and Trucks and things that Go. For the last week or two, we’ve also been reading “That’s not my tractor,” but that’s beside the point.

We’ve been reading to him from his Bible since he was about 6 months old. In the early months (or actually since about 9 months ago), he didn’t really care so much about it. But now, he doesn’t want to go to sleep until he’s gotten his daily Bible. I’m sometimes amazed by how much he remembers. About a week after we read the story of Esther, Sara was flipping through the Bible and came across the story and Titus pointed at the page and said “Mordecai.” Wow!

So, this weekend we’ve been reading about Elijah and Elisha. Yesterday we read about Elisha and the Jars of Oil.

Today before his nap we read about Elisha and Naman. Finally, tonight we moved on to a new story. Josiah, the boy who was king. No more Elisha.

Then on page 237, Titus pointed at the hired workers. Elisha, Elisha and Elisha. Good grief. So, anyone dude with a beard is going to be Elisha. Then came the next page, 239.

Elisha, Elisha, Elisha and Josiah. Unfortunately, the Biblical characters without names are from this point on… Elisha, no matter the gender. We’ll see how long this lasts.

Titus: Cherrios?
Sara: We don’t have any cheerios, but we do have other cereal.
Titus: Bye cereal.
Sara: How about an apple?
Titus: Bye apple.
Sara: Yogurt?
Titus: Bye yogurt.
Sara: What about toast?
Titus: Toast, bye bye.
Sara: Well, what do you want?
Titus: Cookies (with a hopeful look in his eye).

Yeah, I think he’s finally learning to communicate well.