Views of the Neighborhood – The Hamilton Greenbelt

April 28, 2019 · by John W. Howell · in Views of the Neighborhood · 73 Comments

Today our walk through the neighborhood will be spent at the Hamilton Greenbelt. I hope you brought your walking shoes and enjoy the stroll.

Here is the entrance to the Greenbelt.

The land and perpetual care for the Greenbelt was donated by Lakeway residents Jack and Myrtle Hamilton who lived in Lakeway from 1975 to 1993. The Greenbelt was opened in 1990.

A broad view of a man-made pond.

The close-up view of the same pond.

Abundant wildflowers and photo spots. Here are bluebonnets.

A sign warning of ants and snakes. Rather deal with an ant than a snake.

Lovely crushed granite paths and more flowers.

These markers are here in case you get lost or hurt you can identify to responders where you are. (Good idea to carry a phone)

I thought the sun through the trees illuminating the cactus bed was peaceful. Too bad I don’t have a $1000.00 camera with filter for a better shot.

A little wall for sitting and contemplation.

More paths and flowers.

A lovely bed of Iris.

An oak that was an acorn during the revolutionary war.

These little white flowers are also in our yard. I wonder what they are?

Here is a location map. We only walked a small portion today. We will come back for the waterfall and other features some other time. Thanks for walking with me.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, My GRL, Our Justice, The Contract with Gwen Plano, Views of the Neighborhood

73 comments

Dina · April 28, 2019 - 4:05 am ·

I always enjoy a good leg-stretch, John. Thanks for your company and the photos. x

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:48 am ·
  
  Thank you for coming along, Dina. 😊
  
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2. Pit · April 28, 2019 - 9:03 am ·
  
  Lazy me always enjoys virtual walks! 😀 And this here is a wonderful one, thanks to John.
  
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  1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 10:19 am ·
    
    Thanks, Pit. 😊
    
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    1. Pit · April 28, 2019 - 6:15 pm ·
      
      🙂
      
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Victoria Ray NB · April 28, 2019 - 4:06 am ·

Good pictures, even without 1000++++ camera 🙂 & it’s the walk that counts tho! #10000stepsaday

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:45 am ·
  
  You are so right. It is the steps that count.
  
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  1. Victoria Ray NB · April 28, 2019 - 2:37 pm ·
    
    Haha 😂
    
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patriciaruthsusan · April 28, 2019 - 4:15 am ·

Good pictures, John. The flowers are lovely. 🙂 — Suzanne

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:42 am ·
  
  Thanks, Suzanne. We do enjoy them.
  
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TanGental · April 28, 2019 - 4:21 am ·

Looking warm already. Blue bonnets look a little like what we call blue bells and which are abundant in woods around here just now. Mighty fine is I think the expression.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:41 am ·
  
  Thanks, Geoff. Mighty fine works.
  
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Gwen Plano · April 28, 2019 - 4:32 am ·

I love the dedication plaque. Who wouldn’t want to care for the park after reading that? Beautiful! Thank you for this inspiring journey today. ♥

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:39 am ·
  
  I thought the plaque was pretty special as well. Thanks for coming along, Gwen. 😊
  
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robertawrites235681907 · April 28, 2019 - 5:10 am ·

Very pretty, John. I love irises.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:36 am ·
  
  I do too, Robbie. Thank you.
  
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tidalscribe · April 28, 2019 - 5:25 am ·

A lovely walk, sunshine and dappled shade.we are certainly enjoying your new neighbourhood John.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:35 am ·
  
  Thank you, Janet. We are enjoying it a lot. 😀
  
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Hugh's Views and News · April 28, 2019 - 5:54 am ·

Glad you didn’t meet any snakes on your walk, John. And what a great idea the rescue marker signs are.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:33 am ·
  
  Thanks, Hugh. I think the markers are a good idea too. 😊
  
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Jill Weatherholt · April 28, 2019 - 6:41 am ·

What a beautiful day for a trip to the park. Thanks for taking us along, John. It looks like you had the place to yourself. 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:32 am ·
  
  There was no one in sight but a group of school kids. The trails are popular running spaces but we were there after everyone went to work. (I think) Thanks, Jill
  
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Charles Yallowitz · April 28, 2019 - 6:45 am ·

Nice shots. Really captures the relaxing atmosphere.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:29 am ·
  
  Thanks, Charles.
  
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  1. Charles Yallowitz · April 28, 2019 - 7:45 am ·
    
    You’re welcome.
    
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Writer Lori · April 28, 2019 - 7:02 am ·

What a lovely place to spend an afternoon! I am sure it won’t be the last visit…. Thx for sharing, John.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:29 am ·
  
  There is much more to see,
  lori. We’ll be back. Thank you. 😊
  
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Dan Antion · April 28, 2019 - 7:11 am ·

Thanks for bringing us along, John. I’m impressed with the relative young age of some of the spaces you’ve shown us. Good stuff is still happening; that’s good to see. My wife and I both enjoy walking. A place like this would be a welcome spot. I really appreciate the photos.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:28 am ·
  
  This area was all ranchland unti after WWII so most everything started in the 60’s and 70’s. Thanks, Dan
  
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shoreacres · April 28, 2019 - 8:11 am ·

That really is a glorious area. Austin is filled with so many spots like this, and I’ve seen none of them, since my interest in all things outdoorsy and nature-related came after the years when I was spending so much time in Austin. I have a little list, and on eday I’ll head that direction and start ticking them off — this would be a good one to add.

Those rescue markers are genius. I was with my mother in a Kansas City area nature spot when the police showed up and asked if we’d seen an injured woman who was hiking deep within the grounds. After she had her accident, she called her husband — but she didn’t have a clue where she was. A marker like these would have made it a lot easier to find her.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 10:22 am ·
  
  That is exactly why the markers were placed. There are a number of older folks here and confusion…well confusion in some, makes them a safty measure. Thanks, Linda.
  
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Pit · April 28, 2019 - 9:02 am ·

What a fantastic walk! 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 10:20 am ·
  
  Thank you, Pit. Glad you came along.
  
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  1. Pit · April 28, 2019 - 6:15 pm ·
    
    🙂
    
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Staci Troilo · April 28, 2019 - 9:13 am ·

I’d be on that little wall everyday. Thanks for sharing. It’s a lovely spot.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 10:18 am ·
  
  it is so quiet there. Thanks, Staci.
  
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Sorryless · April 28, 2019 - 10:43 am ·

John,

A lovely walk, and your camera did just fine!

And I’m with you, I’ll take an ant over a snake any day. 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 2:06 pm ·
  
  Something about an ant bite vs a snake bite that doesn’t put them in the same class.
  
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  1. Sorryless · April 28, 2019 - 6:52 pm ·
    
    Not even the same school, 😉
    
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    1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:47 pm ·
      
      😬
      
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D.L Finn, Author · April 28, 2019 - 10:58 am ·

What a beautiful place to walk. I’m with you I’d rather deal with ants over snakes while enjoying a walk.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 2:05 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Denise.
  
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Debbie · April 28, 2019 - 2:01 pm ·

Thanks for letting me tag along, John — I enjoyed it a lot. That little waterfall, the spreading oak, bluebonnets, and the sun filtered through the cacti are great shots, thousand-dollar camera or not! Are those garter snakes or the poisonous kind??

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 2:05 pm ·
  
  They be the big bad kind that shake their tail at you. 🐍
  
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  1. Debbie · April 29, 2019 - 3:21 pm ·
    
    Yikes! Better carry something more vicious than a garden hoe then!!
    
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    1. John W. Howell · April 30, 2019 - 8:39 am ·
      
      I would suggest a shotgun. 😀
      
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coldhandboyack · April 28, 2019 - 2:07 pm ·

Another neat area. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 3:48 pm ·
  
  Thanks for coming along. Finished Panama last night. Really enjoyed it.
  
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  1. coldhandboyack · April 28, 2019 - 6:03 pm ·
    
    Thanks for telling me. Makes my day.
    
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Teagan R. Geneviene · April 28, 2019 - 2:26 pm ·

Sigh… what a beautiful, peaceful place, John. It looks like it would be cool on a hot day too. Simply gorgeous — particularly that magnificent oak tree. Thanks for the stroll. Hugs on the wing.

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:51 pm ·
  
  Glad to have you with me. Hugs
  
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Dale · April 28, 2019 - 6:32 pm ·

Looks like the type of place I would meander regularly – and yeah. No snakes, please…

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:48 pm ·
  
  It is peaceful for sure.
  
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  1. Dale · April 28, 2019 - 7:49 pm ·
    
    So zen… definitely a place to go when you just need to let your thoughts float as you walk,
    
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    1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:52 pm ·
      
      Or sit. there is a waterfall further down the trail. We’ll go there the next time.
      
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    2. Dale · April 28, 2019 - 7:53 pm ·
      
      Oh yes… that must be wonderful.
      
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    3. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 8:14 pm ·
      
      Here is a peek https://johnwhowell.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/screen-shot-2019-04-28-at-8.04.18-pm.png
      
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rijanjks · April 28, 2019 - 7:07 pm ·

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing, John!

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1. John W. Howell · April 28, 2019 - 7:47 pm ·
  
  Thanks, Jan
  
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aFrankAngle · April 28, 2019 - 10:00 pm ·

A glorious walk indeed. Do you miss the beach?

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1. John W. Howell · April 29, 2019 - 7:47 am ·
  
  We don’t at this time. The beach life was really hard in terms of obnoxious people, litter, and noise during the holidays. Yes, the solitary walks and the quiet in the off season are to be missed. I also think Hurricane Harvey took a lot out of us. It was a tramatic experience that we more or less powered through but it did leave its mark. The idea of going through that again is something we want to prevent. Thanks for asking, Frank
  
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  1. aFrankAngle · April 29, 2019 - 4:09 pm ·
    
    Thanks for the honest explanation.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · April 30, 2019 - 8:37 am ·
      
      😊
      
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Jennie · April 29, 2019 - 6:14 am ·

Lovely, John!

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1. John W. Howell · April 29, 2019 - 7:34 am ·
  
  Thank you, Jennie.
  
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  1. Jennie · April 29, 2019 - 12:54 pm ·
    
    You’re welcome, John.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · April 29, 2019 - 1:48 pm ·
      
      😊
      
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Teri Polen · April 29, 2019 - 9:27 am ·

The wildflowers are beautiful, and that bench is a perfect place to read, but at the mention of snakes, I would have been out of there.

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1. John W. Howell · April 29, 2019 - 9:45 am ·
  
  Rattle snakes want to avoid humans at all costs. If you sit and read they will figure out how to get away from you. (I know not much comfort.)
  
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The Hook · April 30, 2019 - 4:52 pm ·

This space is in the same league as the Niagara Parkway in my neck of the woods, and that’s saying something.

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1. John W. Howell · April 30, 2019 - 7:45 pm ·
  
  I’m glad you have this kind of thing too.
  
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Rhonda · April 30, 2019 - 8:53 pm ·

Beautiful! Maybe we’ll see sunshine and green in Colorado again someday. lol!

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1. John W. Howell · May 1, 2019 - 7:50 am ·
  
  Just a matter of time, Rhonda.
  
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