At One With Nature/War Games

We’re in the process of moving, but if I don’t write something, all may be forgotten.

A few weeks ago, we went to Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve. It was a beautiful day for a park outing and we were excited to see something new, this park is near the city nestled in among houses along the river. It was a weekend cottage built in 1909 (home construction I’m familiar with!) and when the last of the family passed away in 1971, the land/cottage was donated to the city to be used as a park. While the cottage was being used for a private event, the grounds and trails were still open. An interesting fact to note about this park, they are the home to several peafowl. Otherwise known as peacocks (and hens). We found this out as we were entering the gates. A big peacock was just strutting around, coming towards us as we walked in. I’d have a picture of the magnificent bird, but Ella was not as awestruck. She took one glance at this giant blue bird with it’s sweeping tail (not spread out) and she practically climbed me like a tree and started crying and howling like she was being attacked by bees. Seriously, the peacock posed zero threat towards us. She nearly lost it when the bird changed directions and in doing so, it’s giant tail pivoted around towards us (not close enough to touch us). You’d think the bird was swinging an ax at Ella. More howls. Keep in mind, she was already in my arms. We got her away from the horrid creature and situated further down a trail. I wanted to get a photo of the girls on a rock near some flowers, but Ella was having none of that knowing there were peafowl lurking somewhere behind her. To make matters worse? If you’ve ever heard a peacock’s call, it’s loud and somewhat distressful sounding. Ella = not a fan. Second fun fact, they just walk through the woods and don’t stay on the trail, so they would emerge from the brush out of nowhere. Ella = really not a fan.

Once we were assumed far away from the ravenous birds, we strolled along the trials, admiring nature and the scenery. It was quite serene near the water and we spent quite a bit of time there enjoying the sights, Lily trying to launch sticks and leaves into the water, admiring giant longhorn sculptures in someone’s yard – oh, and the war games.

Mayfield Park is located right next to Camp Mabry, our local military installation. Including, the Texas Air National Guard who was quite “vocal” while we were at the park. There were four planes flying in formation, in circles around the park, repeatedly. When we weren’t being surrounded by aircraft, we were enjoying the sounds of small artillery fire. As the planes would fly over and machine guns rattled off, I’d yell over to Loran, “It sure is peaceful at this park!” It added a certain excitement to be tromping through the woods with planes circling and gun fire. Only because we knew the planes and guns were contained.

We cautiously made our way back to the car, careful to avoid the birds of prey that peacocks are – fun fact, peacocks can sit on high branches, Ella = definitely not a fan. Despite the gun fire, war planes, peacock “attacks”, and fire ant encounter (Lily riled some up when she jammed a stick in their home – but I shuffled her along before any harm was done, leaving Lily still unscathed by fire ants as long as we’ve been here), we would definitely visit the park again. It’s just gorgeous, and truly peaceful, even with the above.