Dinosaur Valley (Paluxy River)

I decided two Fridays ago (12/30) to take my chances and once again roam about Dinosaur Valley outside of Glen Rose, Texas. Last time I did that, 7 years ago, I got lost. Land of the Lost.

THIS TIME, I carefully mapped out a 5 to 6 mile loop, which entailed crossing the Paluxy River on the way out, and the way back. I only slightly considered how I might cross the river during my planning stage the night prior. Turned out, the river was quite full, and that crossing it even at the shallowest places would have meant getting wet at least knee deep (but probably more).

So, a river crossing was out of the question, especially since the rangers had closed all trails north of the Paluxy River. I wasn’t much in the mood for another ranger encounter. So much for my planned out route.

I took a trail adjacent to the river instead, and filmed my Friday Hike video. The temperature was in the low forties (Fahrenheit), and that was absolutely wonderful. I love the cold weather. But there were no dinosaur tracks to be found, as the river covered them all. Often I needed to hike up the river’s banks to find passage. Then when I could, I would hike back down to the cold waters. For the most part, I was alone, except for a lone fisherman here and there, or a camper up on the banks. Occasionally, I would come up on a group of people in the easy to reach look-out spots. This park is a tourist attraction that attracts people from around the world. I would visit again and again. Next time, I think I might rent one of the kayaks that I saw along the river's bank for $25 a day.

Total miles: 4.38 miles, 509’ elevation gain

Country Runs

I’m in the country this Christmas season . . . Texas country, where the roads are long and the skies are big. My boys are staying at my in-laws ranch, while my husband and I are in town at a hotel. Every morning, we drive out to the ranch (about a 20 minute drive), where we have been spending time with family. There’s lots of land to walk around and a couple of ponds to linger about. It really is beautiful country, with miles and miles of back country roads to venture out onto.

Christmas Eve, I set out for a short run with my oldest son in the afternoon. The temperatures were in the forties (Fahrenheit), but that wasn’t cold enough to keep on the long sleeves. By the time we reached the small cemetery (Bowman Ridge Cemetery about 2 miles in), I was ready to take off the long sleeves and run in a tank top. It felt really good to get out and run the straightaway dirt roads. Really good. This run measured a little over 4.5 miles (with close to zero elevation gain). I know this for sure because I’m wearing my new sports watch – Amazfit Pace. Yes, I have officially left Garmin behind, and so for, I am pleased.

Run 2, which was today, December 27, I took my middle son along. It was dang cold out, but he didn’t even bring a jacket. I told him that he’d need one, but he did not believe. He mainly walked, but every so often would run to catch up with me. I think the running helped to warm him up. His face was red with cold. At about a half mile a jack rabbit stood up and ran across the field. He had to be three feet tall! I wish I was quick enough snap a picture. But by the time I had my camera out, he was long gone. Then about one mile in, two dogs ran from a farmhouse out onto the road, and accompanied us for most of the run. It wasn’t until about a half mile from “home” that the owners of the dogs showed up in a car and called the dogs in. The dogs were beautiful.

I kept my long sleeves on the entire run. I believe that it was thirty-something. Like I’ve already said, dang cold! The dogs didn’t mind, and my son without a jacket didn’t seem to mind much either. (Crazy kids!) We went back out to the cemetery, which is so interesting. It is a very old cemetery, with grave markers dating back to the early 1800s. It’s also a historical landmark being that it is a Confederate veteran cemetery. I know that it is popular to hate all Confederate history, but I love history, so I’m delighted to come across an artifact like this, which by the way, is practically in the middle of nowhere – it’s surround by country roads and farms – that’s it.

This run measured just a little over 4 miles, with again, practically zero elevation gain.

Lake Mineral Wells

Truth is hubby was extremely nervous dropping me off for my trail run in Lake Mineral Wells State Park.  The plan was, my youngest and middle boys, nephew and sister-in-law along with my husband would dig for fossils about ten miles away, and I would meet them later IN Lake Mineral Wells. 

I felt a little insulted by hubby’s worry, I mean, really, Glen Rose was a fluke for me.  But I needed Glen Rose (Dinosaur Valley).  I learned A LOT.  So, while I still cringe a little when I think about Land of the Lost, I know that the experience did me good.  Still, that embarrassment and worry that my husband suddenly seems to posses about me running trails persists.  I imagined while driving into the ranger station at Lake Mineral Wells my photograph hanging on their wall – “Do not let this woman in your park.”

Their map seemed extremely straight forward – lots of equestrian trails, just ONE single track that I would take to some “primitive” campsites. I even stopped and talked to the ranger about the map.  She was a “tough cookie” with straight forward answers. 

Posing for hubby at trailhead

The trails were serene, shady, gorgeous, HOT, and downright humid.  I took the first half-mile of trail giddy, so delighted I was with the rugged terrain.  Boulders covered with greenish lichen littered the trails.  In some cases the boulders were laid out like a staircase. 

Not a half mile in, this supposed ONE-TRAIL single-track system forked!  Okay, okay, I told myself, “Let’s learn where you’re at!”  So I ran one fork down until I came upon a huge boulder in the trail.  I thought that was a good landmark to turnaround and go back to the other fork.  There the trail climbed up rocky terrain to a series of wood signs with arrows!  Glory, glory!  You can be sure that’s the trail I ran. 

Soon the arrows ended and a web of trails began to branch off of the supposed ONE trail.  You can imagine my thoughts.  I took care to realize my every surroundings.  I memorized my footprint, often stomping into the dirt to refresh my memory what it looked like.  And at forks, I marked them with two horizontal branches (small ones that I broke apart) and then one pointing in the direction that I was running.  I studied the map closely before it deteriorated and counted the number of times I should cross an equestrian trail.

I made it to the “primitive campgrounds” after crossing the appropriate number of equestrian trails, feeling very warm.  My temperature was only 1.1 degrees above normal.  I witnessed 2 White-Tail deer run by at surreal speeds, amazed that they didn’t smack into a tree.  I also crossed two bridges over dry creeks and did not see a single camper in this wilderness campground.  (Though on the way in, I saw a hiker with a hat and towel draped over his head and a backpack on his back).

Crossing bridge into “primitive campground”

I can guess why no one was camped at this “primitive” campground.  It was no where near water, the creeks were dry.  And to hike food, tent, water, etc., would be a terrible burden in this summer heat. 

The campground was a double loop, kind of like rabbit ears.  And at one point on my run out of the campground, I found myself running in an area I didn’t recognize.  Quickly turning around, I fast came upon one of my markers at the side of the trail pointing the direction.  I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN WORKS.

I ran back to the trailhead feeling good about my direction, noticing many of the landmarks I had committed to memory, except for one portion.  This part of the trail had no lake view (which is an awesome direction marker) so I searched the floor for my footprints going in the other direction and quickly found them.  Off in the distance, two more White-Tail deer ran through the forest at crazy speeds.  And off I ran, all the way to the trailhead, where I ran along the road, across the damn and to the “beach” where my family was swimming after fossil digging.  I was so dang hot, I took my shorts off right on the beach and quickly pulled on a pair of “board shorts”.  Yanking off my pack, hat and garmin I swiftly made it across the burning sand into the lake. 

A lovely, successful run.

Miles logged today:  7.10

Elevation Profile:

Land of the Lost

This morning I got in my first trail running in the heat of Texas.  Early morning (7AM), when it was only about 87F (31C), we drove more than 40 miles (64 km) to a town called Glen Rose so that I could run trails in the Dinosaur Valley State Park.  That’s right!  Dinosaur Valley.  The story is that 113 million years ago (yikes!!) dinosaurs left their footprints in the mud there.  Today, my husband and son went searching for those footsteps in the Paluxy River while I ran the forest trails up plateaus in the distance.

Before driving off to trailhead

The initial trail took me to a dry portion of the river where I ran across to catch the “White” Trail.  Their trail marking system seemed pretty straight forward at first.  The trails are named after various colors, and boulders and tree stumps every so often are painted with a dab of that color. 

I saw from the map that there was a tributary along the “White” trail that dumped into the river right at some dinosaur tracks.  Soon into my run, I went off-trail (Oh no!  Don’t go off-trail), and ran a dry over-grown tributary back down to the river.  I didn’t see tracks right away, but found three young children fishing for bass in one of the pools.  I was alarmed how friendly these children were as they nearly walked off with me to help me find dinosaur tracks.  I wanted to say, “NEVER walk off with a stranger!”  I don’t know why I didn’t. 

I scooted off and ended up finding a multitude of three-toed, giant bird-like tracks, exactly where my trail map indicated.

Paluxy River

Carnosaur track, according to brochure probably Acrocanthosaurus

I got in some elevation, though they were mild and comfortable climbs.  That was a good thing, due to the heat. (My body temperature reached a high of only 1.3 degrees over normal and pretty much remained at about .3 to .5 over normal).   And the trail system worked good for me all the way to the top.  But I did notice some oddities.  For example, the “White” trail stopped and started throughout the system.  As did all the other colors.  When I’d reach a fork in the road “White” might head off in TWO directions, and suddenly “Yellow” would appear at the same fork going off in another direction.  Without my reading glasses, which was okay as long as I held the map far enough away from my face, I would decide which point on the map I would run to.  For example, I would think, run to the “Blue/White” intersection.  Turns out though, there might be 3 or 4 “Blue/White” intersections.  It got to be a little crazy.  But the trails were beautiful.  And they were empty.  I didn’t see a single runner or hiker.

I planned on running one big loop around the trail system then make my way back to the trailhead where I would meet hubby and my youngest son.  Good thing I had a cell phone. 

At ten minutes past my meeting time, hubby called.  “Where are you?” 

“I’m not sure.  I can’t find the “Blue/White” trail intersection.”  I assured him though that I was pretty close and should only be a little longer.  LOL.  I really thought that.  I had complete confidence.

But then the painted markings stopped.  I had no idea which trail I was running.  The temperature was growing warmer by the minute.  Fortunately, my mother-in-law came up with a great idea before we left, which was to fill a baggie up with ice and put a few kitchen towels in it.  So I was able to change out the wet cloth over my head frequently for a new fresh ice-cold wet one.

At the point that the trail markings ended I should have turned around and headed back the way I came.  Instead I kept running until the trail ended!  Did I turn around?  NO.  I went forward.  I went forward because I felt confident I was running in the right direction. 

With no trail, I set the garmin to direct me back to my starting location.  Problem with this, is that it directs you back “the way the crow flies.”  In other words, it doesn’t consider obstacles.  I followed the tiny arrow on the garmin for quite some time, bushwhacking my way, bruising and scratching my limbs.  I crossed what I thought was the river.  I climbed up steep rocky ledges, and kept moving diligently in the arrow’s direction.  That is until I came upon two parallel barbed-wire fences.  I considered climbing it.  Then looked for a tree to climb and hop it.  No such tree was available.  So, I followed that fence-line all the way back to what I thought was the Paluxy River (but I now know was only a tributary), which I crossed again and bushwhacked my way back up to that unmarked trail.

FINALLY, I found the “White” trail.  Which “White Trail?”  I didn’t know then that I had NO IDEA.  I ran it down and came upon two rangers in a 2 seater off-road vehicle.  I flagged them and asked, “How do I get back to the trailhead.”  The “Yellow” trail they pointed out.  I should have followed my instincts and continued on the “White” trail. 

Forty-five minutes late, hubby called again.  We were both losing reception, but I could hear him exclaim, “This map is TERRIBLE.”  He saw the problems with the trail system right away.  He couldn’t help me out at all, because if I said that I was on the “Yellow” trail, he would have no idea WHICH “Yellow” trail.

I went off-trail again (No, no, no – don’t go off-trail!)  I continued to drink up and change out my head cloths.  I could go on and on with the travels of Lauren in Dinosaur Valley State Park.  Let me just say this – I didn’t panic until I reached the two rows of barbed-wire fence AGAIN.  That’s when I began sobbing.  Water was running very low.  I still had an apple though and a little bit of ice.  I cried for about a minute, feeling completely hopeless.  I had no phone service and the forest was thick. 

Boxed in AGAIN! (before the tears)

I dried up the tears and got my wits together quickly and continued back downhill toward the tributary (which I still thought was the river.)  Then, there through the thicket I could see a dirt trail, and I could see that it was marked “Orange.”  My map now shredded from sweat, I remembered no “Orange” trail in my vicinity, but I ran it anyhow because it was a road!  My water now gone, I ate my apple and carried on, hoping that after each rolling hill I’d see something familiar – the campgrounds, the trailhead, the giant dinosaur models. 

Hubby called some time later to say that he was at the ranger station and that they were sending out someone to find me.  With poor reception, I was able to describe my location.  And I was told to STAY PUT, that is sit in the shade and wait.  DO NOT MOVE.  Now, I really know this about being lost.  You’re supposed to stay put.  I’ll tell you, that was the hardest thing for me to do.  I did walk a short bit for shade.  But there I sat, eating the ice that remained in my bag.  Afterward I took my temperature and happily, it was normal. 

Two rangers in a two seater arrived first.  I stood up and smiled and asked “Am I in trouble?”  They laughed and said, “No.  We do this all day long.”  They asked if I was okay, then waited with me until the ranger with the BIG truck arrived to drive me back to hubby and my boy. When I hopped into the BIG truck, one of the first things the ranger said was, “I don’t know who made up that trail system.  We’re supposed to re-do it soon.”

I laughed.

I could not believe how far in the WRONG DIRECTION I had traveled!!  I had never crossed back over the river, and in fact had run PAST the trailhead.  I felt utterly foolish and embarrassed, but most of all relieved. I apologized to everyone – the rangers, my husband, my son.  They all said that I didn’t need to apologize, but I felt that I did.  I  was cocky and sure I’d never get lost.  I had a good sense of direction.  I went off trail ALL THE TIME.  But it did happen to me.  For the first time in my trail running career, I had to be rescued.  Rangers had to search for me and drive me in.  Yikes!

Miles logged today:  8.35 (13.44 km)

Elevation Profile: +1350 ft (411.5m) / -1176 ft (358.4m)

Gorgeous Texas Country / Heat Training Take 3

One of the few problems I have with running (besides running in the heat) is running on vacation.  For some reason I find motivating myself to run, and finding the energy to run while on vacation very difficult.  This morning I  took 45 minutes to get ready.  Back home I get ready in about 5. 

On my way out the door this morning, at 7:10 AM, I noticed that it was 78 degrees F in the shade (25.5C), and I thought to myself, “WOO-HOO, it’s gonna be a cool day.”  I took on the front pasture first, then ran back into my tranquil cedar elm grove.  By then I knew, it’s NOT gonna be a cool one.  I felt sluggish and was already drenched from sweat from the high humidity.

Standing in the cedar elm grove grove:

With a heavy pack (I didn’t want to run out of fluids) and a calve with a dozen cactus thorns poking in the skin, I headed off the ranch.  I was unable to pull out all of the nearly invisible thorns, and in doing so, got one stuck in my finger.  That finger prick irritated me for a few miles.  Occasionally a breeze would blow, not a cool breeze, but at this point, any breeze was a good breeze.  My body temperature the first 4 or so miles fluctuated between .5 and 1.5 above normal.  I didn’t feel like someone was holding torches to my calves, but my breathing was labored, the air felt thick.  Grasshoppers were out in lesser numbers, though occasionally one would thump into my chest.

Texas country:

Hmmm.  I wonder the story behind this:

About mile 6, I knew it was time to to take out my handkerchief which I had filled with ice.  Running blogger Rachel (Running Girl Hits the Trails) had commented on my blog once that she wears a handkerchief filled with ice around her neck to cool down on hot runs.  I thought I’d try the ice thing as a multi-purpose trick.  I wore the hanky tied around my neck so that the ice that remained wouldn’t fall out.  And then once it melted completely, I took the now cool drenched hanky and put it over my head.  The plan worked beautifully, cooling me down between .3 to .5 above normal body temperature. 

Eventually, another breeze came and completely dried out my hanky.  Not good.  I didn’t want to waste water to re-wet, so I kept on running, neglecting to take my temperature for a while. 

The sun bared down hard, and I was starting to really suffer from the heat.  I felt heavy.  I felt hot.  I felt drained of all energy.

Ice-filled handkerchief around neck, thermometer in pack pocket, time for a sports drink:

Delicious shade:

Suffering, but still happily, I go off road for some shade in dry riverbed:

By mile 9, I remembered to take my temperature and it was 2.5 above normal!  I felt completely exhausted, heat exhausted and worked at cooling myself down.  I knew that I was running short on fluids, but kept on drinking.  I ate a few salty nuts.  I walked some.  But there was very, very little shade available. Unfortunately, I had to use some of my water to wet down the handkerchief.  I took a gamble, a good gamble.   I was able to get my temperature down between .5 and 1.5 above normal after that.  Still, I never felt the same.  I opened up the second sports drink well before making the cemetery.  I dreamt about the cemetery and couldn’t get there fast enough – it had shade, and a spot to sit!

One of the many varieties of grasshoppers:

I really could have collapsed at the cemetery.  Sitting at the edge of the Benson family plot, I finished up my sports drink, ate my apple, then phoned my husband.  “I’m going to stay here until I cool down, so expect me a little late.”  He offered to pick me up, but I declined, thinking I would cool down and had just enough water to run the approximate remaining two miles.

Resting in cemetery: 

I shut the cemetery gate and took to the county road with little confidence.  Probably .75 miles in, I completely ran out of water.  That’s when I knew it was time.  I WAS DONE.  I put in a call to hubby and he picked me up in an air-conditioned car with nice cold water waiting.  Upon returning to the ranch, it was 95F in the shade (35C), so it could have 100F (38C) or more on parts of my run since I found little shade. 

Miles logged today:  12.88 (20.73 km)

5:00 PM, I’m finally feeling good. 

ps.  At this point, I am seriously reconsidering my desire to run Bulldog this year.