Well now... I became aware of the 2018 Waco Pond Tour at my local Wild Birds Unlimited (where I buy a TON of bird stuff!). The tickets were only $5 and benefited the Lake Waco Wetlands which looks like another place I need to visit! It was a self-guided tour with some ponds open Saturday and Sunday and others only open one of the two days. Having LOVED my pond in Austin, I thought it would be fun to see what is here in my new Texas home! I am (currently) pondless here. (This is where the spousal-unit's eyes roll back into his head as he becomes afraid there is a pond in his future!)
So... I asked a "new" neighbor with whom I have talked frequently if she would like to join me. She agreed so we got the tickets and set off early on Saturday morning. I didn't want to impose on her day so had only mapped out six ponds on our side of town to view. She wasn't familiar with ponds but after the first couple, she was ready to add others to our tour!! (There were over 20 ponds on the tour.) Our morning stretched to a 9:00-4:00 day of navigating and enjoying!!
I will say the folks who graciously opened their homes (back yards, really) to strangers were absolutely lovely. Many had cold water, tea, and/or lemonade available for those touring. There were sign-in sheets at each location. The owners were more than ready to talk to you about the pond, the fish (which many had), and the enjoyment of it all. It was really an interesting day meeting and greeting!
The ponds ranged from small (alongside the back patio with a few plants and no fish) to massive (multi-levels with waterfalls, lots of water lilies, fish in two levels, and rambling throughout the back acreage!). There were "formal" ponds... and there were completely "natural" ponds. There was something for everyone. It was very interesting.
So... without further rambling on my part, I invite you to view the pictures I took at some of our stops. Unfortunately, you can't hear the waterfalls or see the fish swimming... but I think you can get the idea.
I do hope you saw at least one picture that made you stop and go "That's so cool!" :) There was such a variety, it was impossible to pick a favorite! Each pond had its very own personality... and the most interesting part about that... the pond personality was the owner's personality!!! Seriously. They matched. It didn't become apparent to us immediately but, at about the fourth or fifth stop, we realized what we were encountering! So funny.
With all that said, I hope you enjoyed the tour. I would definitely do it again. It was worth the driving... and even the heat.
Until next post...
