Wow, that is fantastic! I haven't been since my grandmother died about 20 years ago. But growing up I sure did spend a lot of summers there.

Burning the hay makes sense. It seems similar to the prescribed burn the native restoration company does every year in the meadow behind our home.

Loved the photos. I grew up in Houston, and spring was always glorious because of all the azaleas. I love the East Texas piney woods, too, and miss the way the wind sounds through them. I live in Austin now, where azaleas don't grow, but the wildflowers are fantastic this year, so no worries.

Xtabay, yes! My husband's cousin lives near Austin, and the wildflowers were so pretty down there. She has some amazing plants and trees in her garden that made me wish they would grow here at home, or even in Tyler, but it's a different climate.

Peri, I saw my oldest stepson this morning, and he was wearing a hat from a feed and seed place in Troup. (My stepsons have spent lots of time on the ranch -- they built miles of fences, and filmed their band's first music video there!)

Wow, these are stunning. So different from anything I've experienced. I'm particularly impressed by those bales of hay. I had no idea they were so enormous!

Loved the photos. Thank you for sharing. I admire you all the more for having two, such separate and unique, lives.

Wow your pictures are so beautiful nice open space we just don't have in the city Chicago. I miss open spaces. Thank you for sharing.

So gorgeous! I'm sending my kids to camp at your place (and I want to come along)

Love the pictures Janet. So glad you were able to see the wild flowers. A Texas tradition!

What a nice thing to give to your grieving friends. Your ranch seems like such a great place to take the weight off their shoulders temporarily. I'm impressed with your kindness and your property. Thanks for sharing.