A GUIDE TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS

For the longest time there’s been this myth about North Central Texas and the Dallas area Supposedly, this is a flat, dry, hot. featureless prairie that got left off the list the day the Great Landscape Maker passed out the natural splendors. We should be happy, says the myth. that armadillos are dumb enough to wander out In the center lane. Otherwise there would be nothing at all going on outdoors, especially in the summer.

May we officially, once and for all, bury that myth? As these pages reveal, the Metroplex may as well be called the Outdoorplex, Within two hours of Dallas (much less, in many cases), we’ve got dozens of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; fascinating nature areas for bird watching and botanizing; acres of parks for camping, picnicking, and frisbee flinging; and lakes just made for fishing, skiing, sailing, and general lolling about with suntan oil and brew Whether you’ve got time on your hands like Tom Landry, or you’re a week-end warrior who needs fun in a hurry, you’ll find your place in the sun here.

We’ve chosen to give phone numbers rather than explicit directions to these outdoor meccas because of the possibility of confusion. “Turn left at the first water tower past the red barn” means one thing if you’re coming from Arling-ton and something else if you’re coming from Piano. Call, tell them where you are, and they’ll guide you in.

Water:

1. Burger’s lake: For a trip back in time, check out Burger’s Lake, an old-fashioned swimming hole (the sign brags that it’s the only place left around where you can still swim in spring water) complete with inner tube rentals, waterslides and water swings, plus five diving boards. When you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a snack at the old-timey burger stand and relax at one of the strategically placed picnic tables, made from cottonwood trees. (817) 737.3414.

2.. Grapevine Lake. Just a forty-five-minute drive from Dallas. Grapevine is a beautiful lake especially known for windsurfing because of its sandy bottom and tucked-away areas that keep you out of big-boat traffic. There are also picnicking facilities, boat ramps, and good fishing (bass, crappie. catfish, and perch) at six parks located around the lake. You’ll also find camping facilities at all of the parks except Rockledge-which is the spot to head for if you’re an experienced windsurfer. Metro (817) 481-4541.



3. Lewisville Lake: With 23.000 acres of lake and seventeen parks around the lake, there’s plenty of room for you. the kids, the neighbor’s kids, the dog. the dog’s friends… you get our drift. From jet skis to sailboats to cabin cruisers, this is a great lake for boating. Some of the parks have swimming areas, and most have campsites, picnic areas, and fishing- Lewisville is known as the sand bass capital. If you start to feel withdrawal symptoms from the city, there’s a golf course at Lewisville Lake Park. 434-1666.



4, Benbrook lake: Although small(about 7 miles long and 3 miles wide)compared to Lewisville Lake. Benbrookyields a wealth of aquatic fun. Swimming, water-skiing, and boating are allowed on the lake, and the six parkshave something for everyone-hiking,walking, picnicking, fishing (sand bass,crappie, and catfish), and horsebackriding. Rent your steed at BenbrookStables, (817) 249-1176, on the north endof the lake. It’s $10 per hour for a gallopalong the nearby trails. (817) 292-2400.



5. Eagle Mountain Like: located justnorthwest of Fort Worth, this lake is perfect for just about anything. About 12 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, Eagle Mountain means lots of room for big boats, sailboats, skiers, and fishermen (reeling in crappie, black, while, and sand bass, channel catfish, and perch). There are established swimming beaches, so you aren’t in direct competition with ever)’ boater and skier, and campsites along the lake if you want to stay overnight, To top it off, some areas of the lake are reserved for skin diving. (817)237-8585.



Picnicking:

1,W.W. Samuell-Grand Park: It’s tough to beat an afternoon among the azaleas and dogwoods at this 99.5-acre park. And don’t forget to bring along your golf clubs-this is one of the premier public golf course parks In the city. 823-8790.



2. One Eleven Ranch Park: Thick groves of shade trees make you feel as if you’re lunching in a forest. There are scads of picnic tables and even a little creek that flows through the park. 205-2750.



3. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden: While the Arboretum has always offered numerous beautiful picnic spots, its newest addition, the Lay Ornamental Garden, is truly spectacular. The 2.2-acre Texas perennial garden features 500 varieties of perennials, Texas wild/lowers, trees, aquatic plants, and shrubs. Environmental sculptures, a water wall, ponds, and natural walkways add to the garden’s beauty. 327-8263.



4. Connemara Conservancy. Best described as a playground of the arts, here are 72 acres of wide-open space to wander through and revel in. Each spring sculptures designed specifically to be shown outdoors are installed Musical events are also offered, providing an aural feast. It’s a great place to learn art appreciation while taking in the sun and the breeze. Connemara can be very difficult to find, so follow (he directions carefully, 521-4896.

5. Samuell Farm: With its 340 acres depicting turn-of-the-century farm life, there’s enough to keep you busy here for several days. There are six ponds stocked with bass, catfish, crappie, brim, and perch; 4.5 miles of scenic woodsy trails for walking, hiking, and hayrldes; beautiful picnicking areas; and farm animals. 670-8263..



HORSEBACK RIDING:

“Horseback riding is the largest part of polo. If you can’t ride a horse, you can’t play the game I’ve ridden horses all my life.”

-Robert Payne Jr., member, 1989 Willow Bend Polo team



1. Park lane Equestrian. These stables are designed for riders of any age and any skill level. You can ride along the bicycle trails of Dallas, canter through the Lawther Road area, or even trot out to Flag Pole Hill and White Rock Lake And this isn’t your crowded nose to tail kind of place. There are two wooded trails to roam along and open fields to run through. The horses are matched to your skill level-from beginning to expert. For ＄12 per hour a guide can take you on a tour, or you can wander off on your own for as long as you like Reservations are helpful. 340-9593.

2. Spring Valley Stables: You can gel a real feel for the great outdoors here located off of Central Expressway between Campbell and Renner Road. Spring Valley offers natural, wooded trails for your horse to wander on, open fields to play in. and even a few creeks to cross. You can ride on your own for ＄12 per hour, or lake a guide with you for S5 extra per group. Reservations are suggested. If you think you’ll feel a little hungry after your ride, bring barbecue fixin’s along; there’s a cookout area with picnic tables close to the stables. 235-8817.



3. Chaparral Ranch: This is the place to “rough it”’ while you ride on miles of woodsy trails twisting through 1,200 acres; it’s a real natural wilderness near Lake Grapevine. There are no guides, so ride where you please for SI5 per hour, 525 for two hours. Reservations are required at least one hour in advance. On Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Chaparral Ranch also offers a night trail ride. For $35 per person you can saddle up your pony and take a guided trail ride that leads you straight’ to live entertainment, barbecue, and beer. Reserve your slot for this outing; a couple of days in advance. Metro (817) 430-8846.

4. Texas Lit ’s Diamond A Ranch: Spend a day here and take a trip back in time to the era of the Old West For $30 for adults and $25 for children four to eleven you get an hour-long horseback ride, hayrides, an all-you-can-eat barbecue dinner, and access to a swimming pool, playground, trampolines, softball fields, and volleyball and basketball courts. You can even go fishing and hiking, if you’ve got an ounce of energy left. Call at least three days in advance for the all-day package and at least one day in advance for horseback riding only: the guided trail ride along wooded trails and a nearby creek is $l0 per hour, Metro (817) 430-0192.



5. Wagon Wheel Ranch: Take a relaxing trail ride for 510 per hour along woodsy, scenic trails, up and down hills, and through a beautiful clear-water creek, There are 300 acres of trails to choose from at this ranch located in Coppell. Hayrides and group night rides are also available. Make reservations for horseback riding at least a couple of hours in advance. (214) 462-0894,



6. Rocking L Guest Ranch: If you like to camp, but don’t want to invest in tents and gear, this place offers a neat alternative You can come out for a day of horseback riding, hayrides, fishing, and swimming, then spend the night at their bunkhouse. Cost: ￡21 per person for twenty four hours, including lunch and dinner. Or opt for horseback riding only for $11 per hour. You can roam on 100 acres of pastures and wooded trails, and there are great places to slop for a picnic lunch or barbecue (214) 560-0246.

WALKING:

“Walking is a nice way 10 gel out and see nature at its finest-the coming of spring. It’s something you can do the rest of your life.”

-jim Autry, president,

Autry Industries,

tennis shoe manufacturers



1. Turtle Creek Greenbelt: Probably the prettiest place in town to stroll-huge old trees, stately mansions at every turn of the way, and a multitude of blooming plants including hundreds of lily pads floating on top of the water The greenbelt stretches from Beverly Drive to Fitzhugh. But be forewarned: although you’ll be templed, it’s against Highland Park law to picnic at Turtle Creek, But feel free to bring along a loaf of bread for the ducks. 521-4161.

2. Duck Creek Greenbelt: located in Garland, this 4-mile concrete walkway winds around Duck Creek and hack into the woods, making it also a great spot for bird watching. And picnicking is permitted. 205-2750.



3. Kidd Springs Park. At its center is Kidd Springs Lake, one of the few spring-fed lakes in town. Immaculate lawns and lowering old trees add to the beauty On your way out, make sure you wander through the Oriental garden. 670-7535.



4. Fort Worth Botanic Garden: These 114 acres feature an incredible floral layout at most any lime of the year (even in the dead of winter, the grounds are still dazzling). There’s a fragrance garden. Japanese garden, and a perennial garden, but our favorite spot is the rose garden-with more than 165 types of roses, it’s absolutely breathtaking. (817) 870-7689.



5. Greer Island: This honest-to-God island located at Lake Worth is a walker’s paradise, but don’t keep your eyes stuck on the ground-we’ve seen incredible arrays of waterfowl flying in formation overhead. Next you’ll want to move just clown the way to Lotus Marsh Boardwalk, a walkway of wooden planks leading out into one of the few undisturbed marshes around. (817) 237-1111.



Camping:

1. Eisenhower State Recreation Area: This campground, sprawling over 457 acres on the Texas side of Lake Tex-oma, has every modern amenity. You’ll find lent sites and screened shelters, restrooms and showers. There is a swimming area with a small, sandy beach, a marina for boating, and Tex-oma’s famous-and abundant-while bass. (Striped bass, black bass, crapple, and channel catfish can also be hooked.) If you just want to see the sights, take off on one of the many trails and lose yourself in the beauty of the wild. (214) 465-1956.



2. Lake Mineral Wells State Park: Fishing {crappie, catfish, and bass), picnicking, hiking, camping, and boating are the favored activities at this giant 2,809-acre park (including the 646-acre lake), For camping, there are day-use areas, multi-use campsite areas, and primitive areas for those wanting the real back-to-nature stuff. Boating on the lake is restricted to 15 mph, so no water-skiing, but that leaves the water wide open for swimming and fishing. Roughly 5 miles of trails present various challenges to walkers-some will lake some real exertion, while others are nice for strolling. Mineral Wells is also one of the only places around these parts for rock climbing. (817) 328-1171.



3. Meridian State Recreation Area: This park takes a little longer to get to than some on our list-though still less than two hours-but it’s a great place to get away from it all. On the 503 acres of natural wooded terrain, a hiking (rail circles lake Meridian and there are three nature trails, One. made especially for children, has signs identifying various trees and plants along the way. Fishing, picnicking, and overnight camping can be enjoyed along with the serenity of the lake. Boating is allowed but speeds are restricted to 5 mph. so grab a canoe or sailboat and relax. (817) 435-2536.

4. Lake Granbury: Three of the parkshere have camping facilities, so after apeaceful night’s rest, venture out ontothe pretty 33-mile-long lake for fishing(it’s the hottest spot in Texas for striper),swimming (on a public city beach),windsurfing, and scuba diving. Or crossthe dam and go canoeing on the BrazosRiver. Nearby marinas rent just aboutanything you’ll want-inner tubes,canoes, jet skis, sailboats-and you caneven charter a boat to take you water-skiing or cruising. (817) 573-1622.



5. Oakdale Park: Head for Oakdale ifyou think camping might be fun but youaren’t quite sure just how dose to natureyou want to get. With shaded tent areas,air-conditioned cottages, family andgroup cabins, these manicured facilitiesmake your slay as easy as possible During the day you can go swimming andhiking, or gel a group together and play shuffleboard, horseshoes, volleyball, or yes. even video games. (817) 897-2521.



Hiking Trails:



I.L.B. Houston Nature Area: With more than 300 acres, this hiking spot offers great adventures: meandering trails with plenty of forks in the road, deep woods, lots of critters. Bird walks, owl prowls, and guided nature hikes are offered during the year-call for dates and times. Enter the nature area off Tom Braniff Drive north of Highway 114. The other entrance-at California Crossing Road-is not as carefully maintained and might just be enough to scare you off 670-6244.



2. Mountain View College Nature Trail: Here’s a real natural wilderness, where about 5 miles of trails twist and turn through a virtual forest. They’re marked, so you can choose an easy one or a hard one, depending upon how athletic you’re feeling. Maps and booklets, located at the Mountain View College west entrance, off Duncanville Road, are available to tell you what you’ll be seeing and to help you plan your hike. 333-8500.



3. Woodland Basin Nature Area: This semi-swampland is easily traveled by way of a boardwalk leading you right through the 80 acres. It’s also a great spot to do a little fishing for bass, carp, and catfish, 205-2000.



4. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary: There are mites of nature trails for both guided lours and open hiking. Lots of children’s tours and activities are also offered. In this truest form of wilderness, you can see all types of plants, trees, and wildlife-a real escape from the city life. New to the museum are guided canoe trips, two-hour odysseys that wind through a scenic woodland area and a wildlife paradise (214) 542-5566.



5. Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge:A good 20 miles of hilly hiking trailsmake for a strenuous workout. Butthat’s not all you’ll get for your hour’strip west The refuge is also home toroaming bison, white tailed deer, aprairie dog town, and hawks. (817)237-1111.



6. Rowlett Nature Trail: Stragglingalong the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard,this trail (about 5 miles long) is sometimes thick and overgrown-but that’shalf the fun of hiking. It’s also locatedon the migratory path of some 200bird species and boasts the oldest standing pecan tree in the state. 475-2772.

JOGGING AND BIKING:

“Jogging is my quiet time, which I use (or getting in touch with myself emotionally and spiritually.” -Toni Beck, consultant, The Spa at the Crescent and The Greenhouse



1. White Rack Lake Trail: A paved pathway winds 10 miles around the shore of While Rock Lake. If you don’t want to load up your own, bicycles and bicycles-for-two can be rented at Hundley Boat & Recreation Center, 823-6933. For paddling on the water, paddle-boats are also available A popular trail, it can get crowded, especially on the weekends. Best time to enjoy: first thing in the morning or weekdays right after work. 670-8847.

2. While Rock Creek Trail: The prettiest part of the trail starts at Lawther Drive and ends at its intersection with Greenville Avenue, As you sail over wooden bridges and wind around tree-lined White Rock Creek, there’s plenty of scenery to take in. 670 6244.



3. Bachman lake: It’s a short trek but almost always a lively one. With the Dallas Rowing Club. 720-0507, in full swing year round and picnickers galore, there’s always a diversion to the exercise at hand. 352 3967.



4. Oakland Lake Park: located in an alcove of its own just off Interstate 30 in East Fort Worth, this mid-sized neighborhood park is a great place to jog. (817) 870-7000.

Bob Woodruff Park: Take a drive outto Piano and plan to spend the wholeday-this park has a lot to offer Greatfor walking or biking, the Santa Fe Trail,starting at Jupiter Road and Oak GroveDrive, is a paved trail about 2.5 mileslong that takes you through scenicwoodlands and ends up at the park.There’s a lake, a playground, picnicareas, and lots of room for frisbees andkites. 578-7250.



Fort Worth Bicycle Tratls: The longesttrail (27 miles round trip) in these partsruns along the Trinity River. Rent a bikeat River Ridge Pavilion, (817) 335-7472($4 an hour for a three-speed, $5 perhour for a tandem), and make that yourstarting and ending point. The pavilionalso has a concession stand, wonderfulpicnicking spots, and paddleboats andcanoes to rent for a ride on the river.(817) 870-7698.