LBJ Grassland

Friday, we had breakfast at the hotel and checked out, then made the short drive to LBJ National Grassland.  We parked at the scenic Cottonwood Lake.

There were a lot of wildflowers blooming along the lake.

We saw two different evening primrose species.

The pink and cutleaf evening primroses.

We continued down towards Little Cottonwood Lake and got on the Red Trail.

This multi-use trail for hiking and horseback riding led through the grassland alternating between forest and open meadow.

The trail passes by Coyote Pond, another small body of water.

The views of the open grassland were really pretty between the woodsy areas.

Lots of wildflowers blooming in the open areas.

The purple poppymallow are really pretty.

We went as far as the old windmill and turned around here.

There was a variegated fritillary butterfly flying about.

We turned around and followed the Red Trail for the hike back.

And enjoyed more wildflowers on the way back.

It was getting pretty warm by the time we got back.

Before leaving the grassland, we drove around some on the forest roads to see more wildflowers.

We found some different wildflower species along the gravel roads.

Spider milkweed has very interesting looking booms.

Stopping along open meadows, the ground was blanketed with flowers in various colors.

Lots of Engelmann daisies made waves of bright yellow.

And there were more primroses as well.

Wright's skullcap had beautiful purple-blue booms that were everywhere.

Texas bullnettle has pretty little white flowers but causes a painful burn if handled.

After getting our fill of flowers, we took and headed back towards Dallas.  We stopped for lunch at Backporch Drafthouse and then checked into the Holiday Inn at DFW.  After getting settled, we headed to Irving and parked for the Mandalay Canal Walk.

A paved pathway followed the canal out to Lake Carolyn.  A cute little pied-billed grebe was swimming in the lake.

The trail followed along the lake then looped back to the canal.

We finished up a nice loop then went to Creamistry for ice cream.

It's a unique ice cream place, where it's made with liquid nitrogen.  We got out ice cream and went over to the Mustangs of Las Colinas to eat.

The horse statues made an excellent picture spot.

After dessert, we headed back to the hotel to get packed up to head home the following day.