Balmy, Then A 30 Degree Drop With More Cold On The Way

More Pollen For the Allergiers

The T&P Train Trestle with new Bridge over the historic trestle

The  Katy Trail Extension about to join the White Rock Trail shortly after it crosses W. Lawther in the back ground

After clicking on the seat belt, the next  button was to open the moon roof. It was balmy, and the humidity could be cut with a knife. By three-thirty, the temp had dropped to 48 F and the wind that was driving the cold front had arrived. Luckily, I was just getting ready to pull into the driveway, having worn two coats and was ready to head inside the house. Timing is everything and my timing today was right on target. It's going to be about 5 days before we get the sun back and the temps reach normals for this time of year, which is 63 plus or minus a degree here and there. This past 15-months has been relentless with low hanging clouds, heat lasting longer than normal, short fall, colder than normal for winter and although the flowering trees and tulips are up and blooming, the cold has returned. At this point, I don't even know what to think about the heat for the summer. But, right on target, March 1 and flowering trees are swaying in that cold breeze.

Peaceful Turtle Creek: It's National Hot Dog Day

While I make fun of myself for visiting White Rock Lake as much as I do, I go there as a photographer because there is always something going on. I've seen a fire department pumper run into the lake. I've seen divers pull a stolen car out of the lake. I've seen a sail boater flip in the middle of the lake and watched a water rescue that ended in success. I've also seen paddle board accidents and just plain stupidity end with tragic consequences.

I've seen a steam-powered boat on the lake; dogs on sail boats having as much fun as their owners, wildlife, snakes, monk parrots, American bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, pelicans, seagulls, ducks, swans, geese, coyote, horses, etc.,etc.

There is no question that White Rock is also a very pretty place and a crown jewel of the city park system. Bikers, runners meet regularly to bike and run alike. Visitors come and take pictures from the docks. Several rowing clubs hold meets on the lake and sailing clubs give lessons as well as hold regattas. The city put several million dollars into the dam and spillway a couple of years back so people can safely watch the waters cascade after a heavy rain. People fish. People picnic; even eat Hot Dogs the year round and not just on National Hot Dog Day, which is today, in fact. The culture center offers many events during the course of the year. All-in-all, White Rock is worth the trip to exercise with a cardio-walk and a place where one can meet professional photographers and hobbyist. It's a direct path to the Gulf of Mexico via its confluence with the Trinity River down stream past the dam. That's always an awesome feeling when you see water flow past your position in stream or on shore.

Having said that, when I want to think and reflect (especially during this time of year remembering my son and mom ) it's done along this stretch of paths on Turtle Creek in Uptown. Everyone has that special place for such personal reflection and thought. Mine is here.

While the traffic sounds are around you, they fade into the background as you walk. The heavily traveled  Katy Trail carries most of the bikers and runners along  and upon the ridge to the left. At White Rock, you would be getting "ON YOUR LEFT" over your shoulder as bikers zipped past. The solitude here is priceless. Across the street at Lee Park, provides areas where you can bring back the tempo of the day with statues, benches and rose walks that Jerry Jones and wife made possible. It's not that far from Jerry's house either as Highland Park, Uptown and Turtle Creek all overlap like a lotus bloom on  a lily pad.

Turtle Creek, Uptown Dallas