Thursday, October 25, 2018

Brantley Lake

Brantley Lake State Park, formed by a dam on the Pecos River, is situated a tad over 15 miles north of Carlsbad. You know, the place with the caverns.


Upon entering the park, the first building you come across is the visitor center.




About a mile west is the campground, a large oval cut into two loops. The right side taking reservations and the left side being first come first served. In the center is the restroom, a play area, and a group shelter.





There are 51 sites total and 11 have 50 amp service. 3 have sewer hookups. Half can be reserved.






Just past the campground is the day use area.



Here you will find another shelter, a boat ramp, and a view of the dam.






A short trail leads back to the campground.





At the campground is another trail called the Lake Loop.


We walked it every day.










 


See, a loop.

One day the clouds were being cooperative.


So we walked down to the shoreline for a better angle. Normally I like something in the foreground of a photo but this shot looks like the clouds are racing towards you.


Nifty.

Sometimes it is all about timing. With the sun still below the horizon at dawn, and if there are scattered clouds present, they might turn pink for just a few minutes. I mostly missed this situation one morning on my way to the pooper. By the time I ran back and grabbed my camera it almost done.

These shots are about 10 seconds apart.




It happens that fast.

Sunsets give you a little more time.

Freddy dragged me down to the shore to watch one happen.



We settled in to wait and watch.





It just never gets old. Sitting on a shoreline with nature as a soundtrack and a show.

Another camper had joined us and we both just smiled as we headed back to camp.


So that about wraps up our visit and...ouch.

"Freddy, why did you nip me?"

"My pictures. You didn't show my pictures."

I had caught him watching that old movie called On Golden Pond on my phone the other day. So he had decided he wanted to swim in golden water. He also thought the movie should have been called On Goldendoodle Pond.

He is a silly pup.

So he waited for his "special" moment.




"OK Greg, I'm ready. Roll film."

"It's a still camera and..."

"Whatever. Just throw the ball past the bright water and I will swim through it."

Fine. It was his moment. His On Goldendoodle Pond moment.


I have to admit that he nailed it in one take. Then he wanted to strike a pose for one last photograph.


I think his award from the State Parks has gone to his head.

Regards,
Greg and Freddy