Houston Photographer Patrick Bertolino - Real Estate, Commercial, and Wedding Photography » trekking

Big Thicket: Turkey Creek Trail I

admin — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:59:46 +0000

I have wanted to hike this trail for many years. At 18 miles, it is one of the highest rated trails in Texas. It lies in the Big Thicket, which is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. A convergence of 4 systems make this area extremely interesting for the casual hiker or backpacker.

The Big Thicket Visitor Center is chock full of great maps and information. I ended purchasing a $14 topo map for my own use. I knew I wasn’t going to complete the entire trail (being that it is not a loop, so 15 miles turns into 30 miles without a 2nd car at the other end)

I entered at the middle of the trail (Gore Store Road trailhead) that most people do not use, so I only ran into one hiker on the trail. The trail is wide and well kept, I made an average of 3.4 miles an hour with my 2 Boston Terriers, Banjo and Shiner. I was looking to find a nice beach by Turkey Creek to make camp next too, as it was pretty hot and I was wanting to hop in to cool off. The occasional black berry bush offered sweet distraction from the heat and before I knew it I was at Hester bridge. I decided to turn back and camp about 1/2 mile down the trail under some magnolias.

Camp made, I stripped down and jumped, well, slowly ambled over a rotten log until CRACK! I fell in with a bruised shin. I swam in cold murky water to the other more sandy shore. My dogs were having none of that – even with my coaxing and pleading. So one by one, I had to swim them each across while they dog paddled the opposite direction. A 30 pound dog offers quite the resistance in water when they are swimming to the shore behind you.

With both dogs and myself on the small shore – we played and enjoyed the afternoon.

That night, the mosquito plague set in. My dogs were miserable and tired. I put them in the tent and wandered about, amazed with the lightning bugs and HUGE spiders I came across. Thank you deet. A nice dinner and little wine had me sound asleep in my tent around 10pm.

What the heck is this??!?!?

This is a great trail with a lot of wildlife! Check out this site for more information.

Point & Shoot Digital Cameras NOT Popular?

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:48:52 +0000

According to a news article I just read on Yahoo, the digital camera’s popularity is on the delcine – well, at least the non-SLR variety. It seems as though most people would rather use their smartphones than lug around a separate device. The picture quality of new smartphone offerings is beginning to equal or even surpass that of
many respectable point and shoot cameras. Camera manufacturers and retailers all around the world are feeling the hit, with Sony losing 20% of their camera sales – the largest drop they’ve experienced. I suppose this was to be expected; as cellphone technology progresses, more everyday items are becoming obsolete. Watches are more for show now, MP3 players are littering discount bins across the country, and just when was the last time you used a land line? What do you think? Do you still use your point and shoot digital or have your light photo duties been replaced by your phone?

The Black Widow

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:50:44 +0000

So I was backpacking on the Lone Star Trail and set up camp in a nice spot. I placed my hat on top of a stump and went about my business. The next morning, as I was getting ready to move on, I pick up my hat, and before PLACING IT ON MY HEAD, I decided to look:

What is this black dot in my hat?

Thank goodness I checked!

Latrodectus mactans, the (southern) Black widow, is a highly venomous species of spider in the genus Latrodectus. They are well known for the distinctive black and red coloring of the female of the species and for the fact that she will occasionally eat her mate after reproduction. The species is native to the United States of America and Mexico. The female black widow’s venom is particularly harmful to humans (males almost never bite humans). The injection of venom from these species is a comparatively dangerous or lethal bite.

Backpacking with the Bostons

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:55:14 +0000

Never again will I hesitate taking the dogs camping with me. I always assumed they would slow me down, or somehow get in the way – I couldn’t have been more WRONG. I also feared they would run off at the first chance….nope. They kept the pace quick, pulled me up the hard inclines, and stayed close….to watch over and entertain. We have many miles to travel together! I feel like I am riding a two headed horse with them! Check this out Bostons in the Wilderness

City Dogs? I think not!

Lake Somerville Trailway: Part II

admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:19:36 +0000

After 2 information gathering excursions, I got my equipment together and completed the 13.5 mile trail – alone. Backpacking through nature alone is not as scary as it used to be my first few times. Now I can actually enjoy the silence and sleep through the noises nature makes. This was like hitting the “reset” button for me – I would prescribe it for anyone wanting to clear their mind…

Lake Somerville Trailway: Part I

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:29:55 +0000

I am so ready to get back into a rythm of spending true time with nature! Backpacking can be one of the most rewarding hobbies – it’s healthy, full of entertainment, spiritual and doesn’t really cost very much! That’s why I have started the Houston Backpacking Network! The inaugural trek is going to be at Lake Somerville Trailway – just a day hike of 13 miles with an overnight. A walk in the park!

I don’t know why I wanted ‘em, I just wanted ‘em!

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:59:40 +0000

Ok – so I took some Christmas money and bought some funky shoes. My Keen sandals (*yes, you hard core people know*) have been more than sufficient – but scrambling through a wet creek with them can quickly collect sand and small rocks that seem near impossible to tap or shake out to a degree that you end up doing a neat little dance. Not with my new fivefinger vibrams! The model I have is KSO (keep stuff out). They look pretty strange (conversation starters) but feel wonderful. They are not for hard core trekking but I bet they would be fine on enchanted rock!