Hiking at Stephen F. Austin State Park

We took a family day trip to Stephen F. Austin State Park this Sunday.  It is less than half an hour from our house.  It was a beautiful day for hiking around outside!  It was nice and cool under the trees.  We parked at the entrance station to pay (only $8 for the three of us) and to use the restrooms.  Jordan would not go because the toilet seats looked funny.  They were plastic, and about 5 inches thick.    I don't really understand why.  Then we piled back in the truck to explore.  We drove past the golf course, spotted a deer, and drove through the camping area.  We spotted lots of little boy scouts having a camping weekend.  Then we parked near a set of trails.  

Jordan and Daddy checking out our route

Ready to hike

Mommy and Jordan trying out the log bench

 First trail was the Cottonwood Trail.  It was beautiful.  We found a walking stick and started out.  
5 minutes in... Jordan says, "This is so fun!"  We spotted a woodpecker!

 10 minutes in:  "This is so beautiful!" and " I am the leader.  Nobody can get in front of me!"  We decided to take the Opossum Loop.  It was under some beautiful, tall trees.  Jordan was still the leader.  She came up with a way to decide who could lead.  It started with raise your hand if you want to be leader, but it turned out that when Daddy and I both raised our hands we were not the leaders BECAUSE we raised our hands.  

30 minutes in... we turned onto Raccoon Bend Trail.  Jordan was still excited and began a project which included picking up EVERY stick that was lying on the trail.  That slowed us up a little bit, and if we tried to go past her to speed things up, we would get in trouble.  (we were not allowed to lead, you see)

45 minutes in...Daddy got a turn to lead and we found a path to the Brazos River.

 We dug in the water with our stick.  We saw a few little fish, too.  
About an hour in... 
we spotted more wildlife.  One monarch butterfly and one armadillo!  That was very exciting.  We were then on Brazos Trail.  We were still happily hiking along.

 Then we spotted armadillo number two!

 We were able to get very close before we scared him away.  He took off like crazy.  That was pretty funny!

About 1 hour and a half in... we got to the Copperhead Trail.  "I'm hot!  I'm tired!  Where is the car?!  Why is this trail so long?!  I don't want to walk anymore!  Daddy, will you carry me?"  I guess it was good while it lasted.  Needless to say, we made it back to the truck and snacked on some Saltines and salami.  Family fun!