After reconnoitering we hustled to our cars and were off! I needed to get away for awhile and this Houston Sierra Club outing to Hudson Woods on September 27, 2014, was just the thing. We headed down south on State Highway 288 and within 50 minutes were entering the entrance to Hudson Woods, shedding the worries, anxieties, and stress from our “Big City” living.
There was Lilibeth, Nicida, Vicki, Julie, Sabina, Robin, Cyndie, Connor, and myself. The clouds looked threatening but the forecaster did not predict rain. However, just as we pulled into the parking area “raindrops started falling on our heads.” The rain was not heavy so we all got out, put on whatever rain gear we had, and headed out.
First, we looked at the dry oxbow, which I tried to convince people really did fill with water, although it had not held any for about 4-5 years. A buck deer flushed out onto a maintenance road and disappeared as quick as he had appeared. Signs of feral hogs were around and eventually we saw at least half a dozen. We began our dance down the trail, dipping and ducking, to avoid spider webs with large orb-weaver spiders attached. Several folks oohed and aahed about their golden beauty and took photos.
I showed off one of my favorite Live Oak trees, about five people with hands outstretched around, and we marveled about the native persimmons that were ripening on small trees. In another month or so, wildlife, raccoon, deer, opossum, squirrel, and many others would be tasting the sweet but astringent, fleshy fruit like a Thanksgiving or Christmas treat.
As we walked through the Columbia Bottomland woods (Live Oak, Hackberry, Water Oak, Pecan, all different kinds of trees) we saw Turk's Cap blooming with red crescent caps waiting for hummingbirds to come and get their fill of honey-like nectar. Meanwhile Giant Swallowtail Butterflies floated through the forest looking for a tasty meal, perhaps on a Frost Weed, Fire-wheel, Trumpet Vine, or morning glory.
Connor, all of seven years old, got excited when we surprised a young bull on the trail. Sometimes fences go down and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, caretakers of Hudson Woods (a part of the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge), has to get the owner to round them up.
Although mosquitoes kept up an insistent buzz, the trip was exhilarating and provided about 2.5 miles of good exercise and companionable discussions. We made it to Oyster Creek and paralleled the water for about one-half mile. Someone shouted about the funny, green, leathery balls we found on the ground (about twice the size of golf balls). We had found a rare, small, Black Walnut grove, always a treat with its pinnate patterned leaves waving above.
We finally hit the Power-line and then road and walked back to the cars. By that time we were all pretty exercised out and looked forward to lunch. So we drove about 20 minutes to downtown Lake Jackson and had a nice lunch with lots of interesting side conversations (Nicida had just returned from Peru!) before I eased everyone out to head for our final destination for the day.
Most people had not been to Sea Center, a combination fish hatchery, aquarium, and wetland operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. We were in luck! Within 10 minutes of our arrival we were led by a very able guide into the bowls of the fish hatchery and found out more than we ever knew about saltwater fish and conservation of their habitat and populations. It was learning that was fun!
Then we spent some lazy time looking at all the Gulf of Mexico fish in the multiple aquariums (I like the biggest one with the Nurse Shark in it) and the touching pool where crabs, fish, and snails attempted to escape from our hands and the touch of our fingers.
Finally, to finish off the day, we strolled on the boardwalk to view the brackish and freshwater marshes that had been created to educate us about the importance of our wetlands and estuaries. A lone Rosette Spoonbill perched with its back to us as if to say, “I have seen plenty of you today!”
It was relaxing and I felt as if a ton of stress had been lifted from my shoulders. Finally, we all drove back to Houston happy, tired, and refreshed after our visit to Nature and Lake Jackson. I hope we get back soon. I hope you do too!
By Brandt Mannchen.
Getting to Hudson Woods
If you want to go to Hudson Woods, here are the directions:
1) From Houston, go south on State Highway (SH) 288.
2) Exit SH 288 and turn right onto SH 35 and go west about 5 miles.
3) At the intersection of SH 35 and FM 521 turn right onto FM 521 and go about one mile.
4) From FM 521 turn right onto Sally Lake Road, go about ½ mile, and go straight through the entrance gate.