To Stay-cation or not to Stay-cation?

Who says you have to go half way around the world to have a vacation? With the price of gas going up and up, many of us are going to choose what's been called "stay-cations" instead. Or maybe you're just looking for something interesting and different to do on a Saturday with your sweetie or with the family.  Well allow me to scout out some things for you as I've been doing a little stay-cation exploring myself, and I thought I'd give you San Antonio locals a few choices. And for those close enough, consider this your one tank wonder. You know "wonder how far I can go on a tank of gas and still get back home?" Here!

The bridge at the Ingram trail head

Where are we wandering to today?               

Leon Creek Greenway. 

The Greenway is good for a power walk, slow walks, jog or run. We saw lots of bicycle riders also. Need a place to go for a walk with the kids, grand-kids or your dog try the Greenway. And right now is the perfect time for a walk. Most of the Greenway is set up in sections that allow you to walk 2 miles more or less to the next trail head and then back to where you started for a total of 3 to 5 miles, if you want to go on beyond that then by all means do so. You go at your own pace and the Greenway is populated enough that you don't have to worry about being out there all by your lonesome, but not so crowded that you feel like you're in the Mall at Christmas. Most everyone is courteous and polite and share the walkway well. 

One of the wildflowers

One of the critters who was enjoying the water

A very small critter

And of course right now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy some beautiful wildflowers and "spring" weather. The sun isn't beating down on us, there is a breeze, and we might get sprinkled on a few times to cool off on our walk. Mobility issues? No worries on the Greenway, as many parts are paved with wide concrete walkways. But if you're into Mountain Biking, you can go off the path and if you'd like a little tougher hike, then by all means help yourself. Of course the trail isn't lit so if you try this later in the year when the weather is Texas hot, remember if you go late in the evening to beat the heat don't to go so far that you're walking back in the dark. You never know what kind of critters you might meet on your return trip in the dark.  

I tried to stay on course starting at the Ingram Road Park & Ride trail head following the path to the Grissom Road trail head. We chose the Ingram trail head for its plentiful parking as many of the other trail heads have very limited parking. Also there is a security guard on duty at this location due to Via. Makes my car feel a little safer being there all alone while I'm on my walk.

My doggy, Missy

There were lots of flowers and still even a little water in the creek in some parts. I was traveling with a dogie meet-up and there were about 8 dogs along with their owners on the walk. At each trail head there is a dispenser for poop bags so that you can be a thoughtful and considerate owner and clean up after Fido. Only problem I saw there, is that the only trash cans were at the trail heads also. So you had to carry Fido's stinky bag a little ways to dispose of it. 

Water is also mostly at the trail heads. Cathedral Rock and Grissom both have water fountains and doggy fountains. My suggestion is to carry or ride with a water bottle for you and your pooch if poochie is coming also. Ingram trail head doesn't have water, but then there's probably a water fountain in the bus transit building. We just didn't venture that  direction with the dogs.

Call me snake charmer, because yep you guessed it. Again a snake. Will I ever get away from them? Stay tuned and find out. Thankfully this one was down under the bridge and in the water swimming contentedly away from us on the trail. But that was the only wildlife we saw on the trail except for the butterflies who were happily working the abundant wildflowers.

This was a great way to spend a couple of hours in a dog friendly, kid friendly way. I got my exercise and so did Missy Mutt. The location was just what I was looking for in terms of wild flowers, safety, and good exercise. Hope you can give it a try soon.

A field of flowers just to the side of the walkway

Really liked the color on this one.

Very prickly plant, but large pretty flowers

Check out the color!

Another field full of flowers

Leon Creek

I didn't see many of these

Aren't these lovely

This was a tree

A prickly pear cactus in bloom
Maybe I'll come back later and pick the
fruit for jelly!