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View Full Version : A ride at Grapevine Lake, Grapevine, TX (pics)


Equine_Woman
11-10-2008, 11:25 PM
I know I just did a trail ride report but I got to go to Grapevine Lake this last weekend with Sterling and I thought I'd post the few photos that I took. Didn't have the real camera, just the play one again so nothing spectacular. One day I'll be brave and ride with the real one. . just not when there is water involved!

Saturday was was a GORGEOUS day!! Sunny and around 66 degrees. (although it felt hotter in the sun!).

Sterling and I haven't been to Grapevine Lake in over a year and a half. The last time we visited the trail was mostly closed because of the lake being flooded. It was nice to get back and see what the water did to the landscape!!

It was just Sterling and me so we didn't have to wait on any slowpokes or grandpa horses. Grapevine Lake has a wonderful parking area with a bathroom and two roundpens, not to mention running water. Plus their parking area is video monitored!! Wow!

Sterling and I set off and had to eye the large soccer net monsters that are on the beginnning of the trail. (the trail head is right by a ton of soccer fields and a city owned fishing pond. Lots of little girls yell horsey when you walk by which is always fun!)

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This is the view behind you as you head out.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3021703296_4c36ddf5b2.jpg

The trail on the way out. .. it's a lot like a road for most of the ride, but there are tons of side paths that you can take.

In fact the funniest part of the ride was me taking two private entrance paths instead of the main trail i was looking for. (It'd been a while since I'd been there). Sterling was so miffed when I turned her around at 2 dead ends that after the second time I made a u turn I could tell she was second guessing my judgment on every step. Lol. Not sure if y'all have ever had your horse do that.. . it's like Sterling thought I couldn't be trusted. (I mean sheesh. . .I make two wrong turns in a dozen trail rides and I'm about to be voted out as navigator.). Luckily I got to a bigger trail (that was obviously a trail and not a side trail) and Sterling stopped second guessing me. But the whole thing really cracked me up. Made me realize how much I let Sterling blaze the trails for me.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/3020873277_0f2efb5d45.jpg
I love watching Sterling's shadow. It's so graceful and smooth! Lol. Had to share the photo.

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The last time i was here this was as far as you could ride. The lake was severely flooded and this whole area was under water!! (you can see the water level on the tree to the left!) It was fun to be able to take the scenic trail again but it didn't look like a lot of people were riding it. . .and about 2 miles in I found out why! A tree was blocking the whole trail and there was no way around it. Sigh. I hate backtracking!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3021715182_96de2c1448.jpg
We decided to stop and have a drink in the creek when we passed it the second time. . .

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Can't tell it, but that's an overlook down into the creek. It's probably about 7 feet down. .

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Since we couldn't get to the scenic overlook we decided to go to the lake.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3020884353_e1d4121d3b.jpg

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It was so nice just standing in the middle and letting the little waves wash towards us. (I should have taken a panoramic shot. We are a good 70 yards away from the shore either direction in this shot. The water is about 3 inches deep here. Just a little more drought and this little part of the lake will be bone dry again.

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All good things must come to an end! Back at the trail head.

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Decided to check out the fishing pond more closely. . and scared a family of frogs.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3020886531_621709fbbf.jpg
Lots and lots of kids over there. . .That will be my life in a few years I'm sure. . . but for now I'll spend my Saturdays with my horse!

Vibe
11-10-2008, 11:42 PM
Wow its gorgeous!! Glad you had fun, cool pictures, sterling seems like such a sweetie!!

Arrow
11-11-2008, 12:02 AM
Great pics! And just from Sterling's headset and ears, you can tell he's a great horse having a great time!

Gypsy Rose
11-11-2008, 03:48 AM
Lovely pics! Looks like you and Sterling had a fun ride.

FrogInABlender
11-11-2008, 04:14 AM
Looks like a nice ride. I love it when the weather's like that.

HeartofSteel
11-11-2008, 06:28 AM
Wow it sure is pretty out there! I'm glad you got to go out and explore, and the weather looks great!

HaveFaith
11-11-2008, 06:44 AM
Sounds wonderful and relaxing. Sterling looks relaxed and easy going. I have a 4 yo gray QH. How old is Sterling? I wonder how old Sissy will be before she is white.

Equine_Woman
11-11-2008, 06:55 AM
Sounds wonderful and relaxing. Sterling looks relaxed and easy going. I have a 4 yo gray QH. How old is Sterling? I wonder how old Sissy will be before she is white.

Sterling is 20 this year. She was completely grayed out at 5 I believe. (maybe earlier). However her daughter isn't completely grayed out yet but it won't be long! (and she is 5)

CircleR
11-11-2008, 06:59 AM
Looks like you had a very nice ride EW. Sterling seems like such a good horse. Thanks for sharing your day with us!!

Me'N'Chic
11-11-2008, 07:13 AM
Looks like you two had a great ride--I enjoy going by myself--just Me 'N' Chic! I love to see everyone's countryside where they ride, looks like a beautiful place to ride!--thanks for sharing!!

P.S. Can you please send the 60 degree weather to Ohio!!

JackieB
11-11-2008, 07:14 AM
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing. My sister lives in Flower Mound, not far from there.

Equine_Woman
11-11-2008, 07:19 AM
Well if you're ever down to visit let me know!! I'd be happy to take you on a trail ride! You can ride Sterling and I'll ride Mr. Slowpoke. (Mack)

gaited07
11-11-2008, 07:25 AM
Nice pictures Equine. Love Sterlings head shots, what a pretty face!

vicklynn
11-11-2008, 07:29 AM
Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for the pics.

qh trail rider
11-11-2008, 09:52 AM
Great pictures. Can't help but wonder what they would have looked liked if you had used your good camera. I've never checked into it, but I wonder if home insurance would cover our cameras when we ride our horses.

cloedoll
11-11-2008, 10:01 AM
I would kill to ride somewhere like that with my horse. BEAUTIFUL photographs!

FatSpottedAppy
11-11-2008, 10:16 AM
Gorgeous place! I'd love to go trail riding there. :D

ProvenPaint
11-11-2008, 10:36 AM
Very nice! Thanks for sharing!

sugarsgirl
11-11-2008, 12:07 PM
Great pictures,
Looks like you had a great ride.

jeezitsjacki
11-11-2008, 12:21 PM
looks like a nice place to ride... beautiful pictures

Gliderider
11-11-2008, 12:40 PM
Looks like a great place and a great day for a ride..

JackieB
11-11-2008, 12:40 PM
Well if you're ever down to visit let me know!! I'd be happy to take you on a trail ride! You can ride Sterling and I'll ride Mr. Slowpoke. (Mack)

Thanks. I'll let you know. It certainly could happen. I spent a week there this past spring babysitting her puppies.

sarhound
11-11-2008, 04:06 PM
It would be fun to ride out there. I used to live in Frisco, and when I married Deputyhound, I moved to his place in Keller. We used to do all our search team training out there at Grapevine Lake. Had a really interesting experience out there once...you want to be careful in some of those parks out there, since there is a certain segment of the population who hang out there and "troll" for partners. I wasn't quite prepared for what I ran into that day...

Equine_Woman
11-11-2008, 07:26 PM
Eww! Scary!! Lol Never really thought of that!! We never see anyone out there other than other riders. Although this time i saw an Armadillo and some frogs!! I'll be sure to keep my eyes opened!

valleyrider
11-11-2008, 08:12 PM
Wow EW.. What a nice place to ride. And the weather was perfect for you.. Thanks for sharing your day with us. From you pictures you can tell Sterling was enjoying herself. http://tinyurl.com/5j5hun/.gif (http://tinyurl.com/55xms7) http://tinyurl.com/5tmep4/.gif (http://tinyurl.com/6htnss)