Things To Do in East Texas – Mineola Nature Preserve

So first I have to give a shout out to my amazing Moms Inc. group. I loved my MOPs group in Boston so much that as soon as we got down here I stared hunting for a new group to be a part of. Through the MOPs website I found a group that was formerly a MOPs group but this year went a slightly different direction and became Moms Inc. which combines all the best things from Mops, playdates, and Meetup type groups!

A few weeks ago for our table’s playdate we headed over to the Mineola Nature Preserve just outside of Mineola, TX. We had never been there before and I was so impressed with how awesome it was that I wanted to share it with you–if you’re in the area definitely check it out! All kinds of wonderful outdoor fun and it’s free!

Right off of the main parking lot there is this awesome little fishing pond. It’s full of minnows along with the bigger fish and you can buy food to fatten up those fishes if you’re not in the mood for trying to catch them!

The girls loved it–we probably could have spent a good hour here alone!

But there was an alligator to see! (more on him later!!) so off we hiked! For a good part of the way the path was paved which was nice for all us mommies with strollers!

There were buffalo that made me feel right at home…..

and Longhorns! Yey Texas!

The kids all loved this bright little guy! (as did I!)

We knew we’d arrived at the right spot when a sign by this pond read “Do NOT feed the alligator!”

Mr. Alligator was kind enough to swim out so we could see him! I was SO excited-it was the first time I’d seen one “in real life” and not just at a zoo! It really made me feel like I was down south!

The kids and the rest of the moms were impressed as well–we sat and watched him and those cute turtles all lined up on the log for a very long time!

After our hike we headed back and had lunch at the very nice covered pavilion (where restrooms were also available!) There’s a gorgeous view of the preserve and a windmill–but at that point I was too busy peeling cuties, wiping mouths, visiting, and fixing ant bites to have my camera out (yes, both kiddos have been indoctrinated into the being a Texas kid club with ant attacks now–see my Mommy Survival Kit for how to deal with ant bites!)

It was a lovely morning and picnic and we will definitely be headed back to check out the rest of what the Mineola Nature Preserve has to offer!