The Twin Canals start by the trailhead and go straight out to another canal. The Twin Canals trail is on higher ground between the two canals. This is the only part of Barataria Preserve that is listed as open during the 2026 repairs from damage caused by Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Not too far in there was a short boardwalk.
The trail being so close to the canal had lots of spots to stop and see the wetlands.
At the end of the trail the canals are connected by another canal. This hike was 2.17 km also with no elevation gain (like the other trails) and also took half an hour.
After hiking, I went to the Wetlands Acadian (Cajun) Cultural Center in Thibodaux which is also a part of Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve. It is one of three museums in the Nation Historic Park about the culture and history of the area. For anyone curious about how the Acadian people shaped coastal Louisiana, the museum offers a solid introduction to their culture and history. I also stopped at the Acadian Culture Center unit in Lafayette, but it had already closed. If you want to visit all three of the Acadian Cultural centers and hike the preserve, you will want to factor in drive time and plan at least two days.
https://mountainadventures.us/post/jean-lafitte-nhp-barataria-preserve-3
#Louisiana #NPS #Swamp #Hiking #JeanLafitteNHP #Bayou
Amistad National Recreation Area is the US portion of the Amistad Reservoir and some land along its shores. On the south side of the reservoir is Mexico with a border crossing at the dam. While driving across Texas to Big Bend National Park, I stopped at its Diablo area. It was about halfway through a seven hour drive, so it was good to take a break and do some short hikes.
The Nature Trail takes you through the Chihuahuan Desert with signs describing local plants. The Green and Blue Loops can be done together. I hiked the Natural Trail followed by the Green & Blue Loop combo. The route I took was 3.19 km without much elevation gain and took about 50 minutes. Cacti, yucca and agave plants are common along the trails. Some of the dead looking plants in these photos are Leatherstem, which comes alive after heavy rain.
While hiking on the nature trail, you get views of the Amistad Reservoir. It is on the Rio Grande with a couple of tributaries flowing into the reservoir. There is a boat ramp ...
Mission Concepcion is the furthest north mission in San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. Unlike the others that have the courtyards and walls, this one currently has only the church building. Mission Concepcion was originally founded in 1716 as Mission Nuestra Seora de la Pursima Concepcin de Acua in eastern Texas. It was to serve as a buffer against the French in Louisiana. In 1731, like other missions it moved to the San Antonio River area. The stone church took 15 years to build and was dedicated in 1755. This church is the only one in the park that has two bell towers.
This is the fourth part of our series on San Antonio Missions NHP which also includes: Mission San Juan, Mission Espada and Mission San Jose.
Before going into the main church, you pass through some side rooms showing frescos which covered most of front of the church and the convento rooms.
https://mountainadventures.us/post/san-antonio-missions-nhp-mission-concepcion
#texas #sanantonio #nps #history ...
Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, founded in 1720, is the largest of the four Spanish missions making up the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. It has had the most reconstruction and is also the location of the main visitor center. The church is on the far side of the courtyard from the visitor center. It is the largest church of the four missions. This was also known as "Queen of the Missions" and is the best one to see how the missions were more than just the churches; they were also communities where Native Americans lived.
The church is made of limestone and has Spanish colonial Baroque architecture and statuary.
It has an arched ceiling, a dome and a choir loft.
https://mountainadventures.us/post/san-antonio-missions-nhp-mission-san-jose
#Texas #SanAntonio #NPS #History #NationalHistoricPark
