Lone Star Travelers Blog

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is hosting a special event, the Nikon Small World Exhibit Aug 02nd - Oct 22nd 2008.  This exhibit displays 20 winning microphotographs taken through microscopes.  The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, 4 miles east of the town of Athens, Texas is a 107 acre site consisting of a visitor center, a production freshwater hatchery, 300,000 gallons of indoor and outdoor aquariums and educational programs.  Native fish, waterfowl, alligators and amphibians live in recreated habitats.  Scuba divers hand feed the fish in the tanks Tuesday-Friday at 11A.M., Saturdays at 11A.M. and 2P.M. and Sundays at 2P.M. in a show that allows visitors to ask the diver questions by way of a 2-way communication while underwater.  Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is the headquarters for the Budweiser Sharelunker Program allowing anglers who catch large mouth bass 13lbs and up to donate them for spawning purposes.  You are almost guaranteed to catch a fish when you through your line into Lake Zebco, a 1.2 acre pond stocked with channel catfish and sunfish year round as well as rainbow trout during winter.  Rod, reels and bait are provided at no charge.  The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located 75 miles southeast of Dallas, Texas.  Admission is $5.50 per adult, $4.50 seniors 65 yrs and older and $3.50 children ages 4-12 yrs.  They are open Tuesday-Saturday 9A.M.-4P.M. and Sunday from 1P.M.-4P.m.  For more information call 903-676-2277.

Learn more about the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

Effective July 23, 2008, due to Hurricane Dolly, the World Birding Center located in far south Texas and the  Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Estero Llano Grande State Park and Reseca de la Palma State Park all part of the World Birding Center will be closed until further notice.  Sea Rim State Park located south of Port Arthur, Texas remains closed due to Hurricane Rita in 2005.  Hurricane Rita was the 4th most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Battleship Texas State Historic Site on the Gulf Coast at La Porte, Texas has closed it’s engine rooms for restoration.

Lake Colorado City State Park has a large day use area which includes a  swimming beach, covered picnic tables, a playground and a 4- lane concrete boat launch ramp.  There is also a lighted fishing pier, a covered fishing barge, kayaks and pedal boats for rent seasonally and yes this park is centered around fishing!    http://lonestartravelers.com/wordpress/free-fishing-in-texas-state-parks/  check this link for my blog entry on free fishing in texas state parks.  The lake cools an electric power plant, the resulting warm water results in an ideal habitat for fish and waterfowl.  Whether you are fishing off your boat or from the 5 miles of shoreline you should have excellent luck reeling in crappie, perch, catfish, bass and even red drum.  Campsites are large and spaced well apart.  The Mesquite Circle Camping Area (sites #1-34 water and electric) is closest to the fishing barge.  The Rolling Hills Camping Area (sites #35-78 has some pull-through sites considered premium at a slightly higher camping fee.  The Lakeview Camping Area (sites#95-128) has the best views, is closest to the lighted fishing pier, the camping sites are back in and quite long however they are water only sites.  If you are not camping stay in one of 11 stone cottages overlooking the water.   Part of the Texas LongHorn herd is pastured here.  TIP:  The entrance gate is closed from 10PM-8AM. 

Big Spring State Park is just outside the town of Big Spring Texas, overlooking the town from Scenic Mountain, a series of bluffs rising to a scenic vantage point of 200 feet above the plains.  This is the northern limit of the Edwards Plateau, a vast upland area that stretches to the Southeast as far as San Antonio and Austin.  Open every day from 8A.M. to sunset for day use only, no entrance fee is collected.  A 3 mile scenic drive curves along the limestone rim of the rock ledge around Scenic Mountain, well used by joggers, walkers and cyclists.  A variety of birds live in the park.  A short nature trail (2/3 mile each way) affords the opportunity to spot a cottontail, jackrabbit or the occasional road runner.  An interpretive center is open seasonally displaying fossils and Indian artifacts.  100 miles west of Abilene or 36 miles east of Midland Exit #174 off I-20 will take you to Big Spring State Park.

Please follow this link  http://www.youtube.com/user/lonestartravelers  to view a short video on the petroglyphs we discovered while hiking in Petrified Forest National Park.  What makes this petroglyph panel unique is that it is rarely seen by the public.  It is at an undisclosed archaeological site in the northern wilderness area of the Painted Desert.  According to park policy they will not tell you where the archaeological sites are however you are welcome to explore on your own and if you are lucky you may find one of these many sites.