I am still getting used to the concept of "winter" here. 

Having moved from St. Louis, MO to Central Texas (New Braunfels,TX) not quite 3 years ago (April 2020), our first winter here was the great "Texas winter apocalypse" of February 2021.  Temperatures in the low teens and 2-7 inches of snow on the ground over 7 days.  Sounds like February in Missouri to me.  However, through a series of unfortunate events this led to severe power outages and loss of water to many around San Antonio and large parts of Texas.  Christmas of 2021 brought temperatures in the 80's when our two daughters came down to visit. And the Winter of 2022, I am told, was more typical of this area:  a few torturous days below freezing scattered here and there. 

     That brings us to this year.  As accurately predicted by the WOAI NBC News Channel 4 weather team, on the morning of Sunday, February 4th, 2023, there was a very dense fog blanketing the area. Temperatures would be in the low 50's by mid-morning so I wasn't facing any hazardous conditions for myself or my camera equipment.   I was prepared to get up early and head out exploring in hopes of capturing at least a few intriguing photos.  I had a few locations and images in my mind as I headed out.  The fog proved too thick for the first location. As the sun moved higher into the morning sky, I decided there might not be enough time to get to the second location before too much of the fog lifted.  

     "The creek!", I thought to myself.  How many times in the past year had I driven past the small creek heading to and from errands?  We moved into our present home November 19, 2021.  Turn right out of our subdivision and go about a 1/4 mile before you hit FM-725.  Look right and there is a small creek within a park like setting, which seemed odd considering the landscape surrounding it. Once,however, I had noticed what had to be a Senior Portrait session taking place among the trees along the banks.

     There is a subdivision fence to one side, an open field to the other, and FM-725 behind it. I parked my car in the entrance of a nearby subdivision and walked twenty yards down to the what I found was the water runoff going under FM-725. It was now obvious that the creek was fed by the retention basin for the same subdivision in which I parked. I had hoped for some underground spring feeding life into it - oh well.  It is an interesting contrast though.  One side of the road is overgrown with weeds and tall grass, maybe some low scrub trees and mostly brown.  The other is growing with tall trees surrounding the bank and green grass and mossy plants covering the banks.  

     So, in I went.  As I made my way along the creek further away from the road, the fog was still thick at this point. Visibility was maybe 50 to 100 feet with the mist shrouding the trees along the bank. Before the sun began burning off the fog, I felt I was on a great adventure. The creek curved left and right a few times and I began to see a few things I never noticed driving back and forth while running errands.  A small bridge was taking shape in the distance and what looked like a hidden open field off to the other side.  As I ventured away from the bank, the ground was soft from recent rains and not nearly as covered by the green lush grass along the banks.  Prepared for the increasingly muddy conditions you ask... no, no I wasn't! Tiptoeing onto leaves and walking on exposed roots, I was able to make my way over to the open field area. Surely, it has more ground cover and I can avoid from completely ruining my everyday shoes.   And I made it.  Wiping my shoes on the grass and looking around I noticed what looked like a park bench, then a BBQ grill and finally the field.  It was quiet and still misty but I could now see more than 100 feet out into the open.  

     An open field lined with a single chain fenced the sides. Three small bleachers lined the other.  A white goal used for soccer (with no net) and football sat at one end.  I couldn't tell if there was one on the other end.  My great adventure had taken me to the recreational area of a church that was just down further from the open field next to the road.   There was now visible an archery area and large tractor tires either for fitness or to sit on around a fire.  I continued to take pictures up and down the creek bank and across the open fields as I made my way back to the road. 

     The sun was burning off the last bits of fog by now.  I could see into the trees as the mysteries of the creek were revealed.  What I never noticed while driving by on any ordinary day were discovered on this "adventure".  When I drive by now I clearly see where the creek leads to the bridge and to the playing field and the archery hay bales.  The disc golf holes are visible to me now as well.   

     Taking this "journey" helped me see the beauty in the ordinary right next to home.  And, it has reminded me to me to look beyond the surface to discover the unexpected.   I hope you enjoy this weeks Photo of the Week and also hope it helps you see the adventure and mystery that is all around you.