The Twilight Hues

When you picture Hawaii, what comes to mind? Jagged mountains, lush green mountains, crystal clear azure water and off course beautiful sunsets.

Sunsets in Hawaii are brilliant combination of Twilight hues like blue, green, violet, orange and red.

Sunsets are everything in here: the social hour, people gather to talk and walk, run and an opportunity to soak up the Pura Vida, a way to end your day.

While, each and every one is spectacular here, some are more magical than others. The key ingredient to the magically spectacular sunsets is simple: clouds.

Although, Sunsets are beautiful without clouds, he most memorable sunsets tend to be those with at least a few clouds. Clouds catch the last red-orange rays of the setting sun and the first light of the dawn like a theatre screen, and reflect this light to the ground.

Sunsets, like childhood, are viewed with wonder not just because they are beautiful but because they are fleeting. And, the strange thing about the sunset is that we actually don’t want the sun to set, we want it to stay right on the horizon, not below it, not above it, just right on it, so that we continue to live in the magic.

A walk in the woods- Elm Fork Nature Preserve , Carrollton, Texas

The Elm Fork Nature Preserve is a beautiful .8-mile loop trail located in the city of Carrollton, Texas.

As you enter the preserve, there are two trail. The one on left is dirt trail while the right one is paved. Both trials are lined with beautiful trees and are connected ahead and lead to the creek. The dirt trail gets muddy along the dirt area, so it is better to wear hiking shoes and carry mosquito spray.

The loop trail has a view of the old Elm Fork meander from the Trinity River, and a bit farther along, a very short spur to see the pond at the top of the loop.

A variety of interesting flora and fauna can be enjoyed while walking along the trial. The fauna includes Ducks, Herons, Armadillos, Squirrels, Birds (including Eagles), Butterflies, Rabbits/ Jack rabbits.

The flora includes an array of herbs, shrubs and trees. Most trees are marked with interesting tree identification plaques in both English and braille, so it is kind of fun to identify each tree along the way.

The Elm Fork Nature Preserve was purchased as a woodright in 1861 by by the Bramblitt Family.  The land was never clear-cut and in 1986 the 40 acres were given to the city of Carrollton as a self-contained ecosystem, virtually undisturbed.

The amenities at the preserve include ample paved parking, numerous benches and tables, and a building that can be used for activities and meetings.

The Preserve is located inside McInnish Park, 2335 Sandy Lake Rd, Carrollton, TX features restrooms, concession stands, hard surface trails, a canoe launch, and a playground.

The mini library on Carrollton Blue ribbon trail.

The free library 

Marcus Tullius Cicero said that “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” I saw his quote come to life when I came across this small, quaint and very cute library set amidst beautiful and picturesque surrounding, during my evening walk.

I was visiting my brother in Carrollton, Texas and just came out for a walk to explore the neighborhood.

Being an avid reader I was drawn to it instantly and could not stop myself from taking some pictures.  Some Good Samaritan has created a small library, along the trail. It was a small wooden shelf with a glass door housing about 10 books. A note was pasted on it saying anybody can take the books to read and return them back when done. You can take the book home and bring it back the next day or sit on a bench near the self and read the book there.

There are instructions pasted on how the library works.

This library is situated along the Carrollton Blue ribbon trail in greenbelt area. City of Carrollton is a northern suburb of Dallas, and has a very expansive network of trails with lots of water features (ponds, creeks) and biking options.

This blue-ribbon trail is paved 4.5 miles’ pathway situated in very picturesque lush green surroundings. Lots of ducks, geese, and bird life in general. Often a red-tailed hawk to be seen, and always egrets and herons. As it was springtime, I also came across lots of wild flowers.

The path is quite wide to accommodate at least 4 people to walk next to each other.

It’s great for bikers, kids and joggers. Kids can fly kite or fish in the ponds along the way.

All along the route there are mile markers to show how far you have come. Each mile marker has a number to mark your location in case of any emergency. Blue Trail connects to the Furneaux Creek Orange Trail. Combining both trails will extend your journey to about 7 miles.

wild flowers

childhood

The rustic old bridge and beautiful pattern created by sunlight 

The picture postcard surrounding

Under the Rosemead Pkwy

The moon over the stoned house 

Let's talk 

Flowers or leaves 

nature is partial too!

Add caption

 

It's time to call it a day. 

The Blue Trail runs alongside the ponds in the Nob Hill Greenbelt, under the Josey bridge and alongside the beautiful lake near Peters Colony and Josey Lane. The trail continues north of Peters Colony, under Rosemeade Parkway and ends at Hebron Parkway.

I did read a small story from a book I picked up from the library. Watched the sun mellow and set over Texas’s vast green pastured land and came home contended and happy about finding the little treasure tucked away along the trail.

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