hey were hiding among the trees. Dogwoods, in bloom. In fact, they were the reason for this year’s county drive-about. 

The dogwoods – peeking out from deep in the mixed forests around Mineola – bring great joy to some folks. They are very attractive, like single trees had been dipped in snow and set back down among the browns, grays and greens.

There must be some lessons to be learned from dogwoods. They don’t seem to do well on their own, but in a mixed forest, they flourish. Of course, they don’t share that fact except during that fleeting period of bloom. 

“Here we are, we’re still here!” they seem to be calling out. And then, in a few days, they disappear back into the fabric of the forest. Maybe the lesson to be learned is that there is always more to nature than what may, at any moment, meet the eye. That, also, is certainly true of people. 

So, it was the blooming dogwoods which accelerated the county drive-about, an event which normally takes place in the fall.

It did not take long to realize that another botanical wonder was showing off. The roadside wisteria was found at several spots around the county, coating the tree line with its purple clusters. 

Like with many things, there is a whole lot more to the story than just beautiful flowers. Wisteria has several varieties, some of which can be destructive and rapidly overtake structures or anything else in their way – similar to kudzu in Mississippi. It is beautiful though. 

There was no particular objective associated with this drive-about. It was decided to simply drive a few roads that are seldom traveled. 

The route included a couple of backroad favorites. CR 1801 is one such favorite. 

Maybe it is the fact that the road leads through New Hope, and many of the properties along 1801 evoke a sense of hope, that make it a favorite. 

There is also a sense of history on 1801. Just before it ‘T’s’ into Hwy. 80, one passes a roadside memorial marking the location of the New Hope school. The road also passes just behind the old cattle auction yard which is almost 100% demolished. 

Another favorite is FM 3056 and its small feeder road from the westbound side of Hwy. 80, CR 2680. FM 3056 is a well-designed roadway, but like many improved roadways, has a large intersection with Hwy. 80. CR 2680 is like a feeder road to avoid the major intersection. It is suspected that most all roads were more like CR 2680 than FM 3056 before the nation became a vehicular nation. 

FM 3056 also takes one through Redlands, the site of the first Anglo settlement in the county. Along the fence line adjacent to the state historical marker honoring Martin Varner, the first Anglo settler in Wood County, is a local historical placard which discusses the community of Redlands. 

Looking around, one had to wonder what it was, specifically, about this particular area which drew the first settlers here.

The transit continued north by northeast and largely stayed atop a long north-south running ridge line. Past the Pine Ridge Retreat, on up to Pine Mills and further up to Little Hope.

The land began to open up a bit, having passed through a long stretch that had obviously been lumbered and likely is yet in a lumbering rotation. 

There is a historical marker at the Little Hope Baptist Church, at the intersection of CR 3990 and CR 3984. However, on a large oak tree just south of the church is a white wooden signboard. 

It states, ‘Here, in God’s great outdoors, let man – and his kind, pause – if he will and breathe a prayer of thankfulness. Here among the beautiful trees – and other things, it is sacred, for it is all God’s creation, as are you and I.’

There is usually a gem to be found somewhere on a drive-about. On this trip it was this signboard, nailed onto a tree at Little Hope Baptist.

As if on cue, within a minute of leaving Little Hope, another sign was sighted. This one at the turn-in to a driveway. It stated, ‘Prayer is the best way to meet the Lord. Trespassing is faster.’ 

Some thought was given that the two messages were in conflict. Then, it was decided that, taken together, the two signs represented East Texas well.

Continuing north, the Lucky Star Farm, Narrow Path Ranch and Land Libertas were passed in quick succession. A family, accompanied by a large German Shepherd, was walking in the road and happily waved. 

It was a Saturday so there were a few people sighted throughout the trip. Three men were working on a tractor, two folks were tending their gardens, and a handful of others were porch-sitting.

In Shady Grove a scarecrow was sighted, standing guard not in a vegetable patch but in an iris patch.

Just before turning south off of CR 4636, an English garden dominated a 90-degree corner in the road. The garden had taken some planning and will certainly become a destination for a further visit once it matures. 

A short highway run down FM 2869 and west on FM 2088 was designed to get to another favorite country road: CR 3130. The road changes designation as it heads south, ending at FM 49 as CR 2590. 

Along the way, one is treated to a little bit of everything that is Wood County. A little pastureland, some hardwoods, stands of pines, ranch ponds and a nice rolling relief to the countryside. 

Especially noteworthy on this drive-about was the hillside populated with about a dozen dogwoods that gave the stand of woods an amazing look. 

The trip had started at Lake Holbrook. Seven boaters on the lake, one group of campers and a United States Marine Corps flag flying with the Stars and Stripes marked the start point. The drive-about was officially ended once headed west again on FM 49.  

The stand of dogwoods a few miles back had capped the drive.