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South Llano River State Park, Junction Texas

Monday, March 8th, 2010

If you willing to drive a little further to camp in a Texas State Park this Spring Break head west on Interstate 10 to Junction, Texas, then south on US Highway 377 for 5 miles to Park Road 73.  You will arrive at the South Llano River State Park for a few days or maaybe a week of fishing, canoeing and tubing, swimming if you decide to brave the cool clear waters of the river and wildlife observation.

At 524 acres this is a small park and one of the prettiest of the Texas State Parks.

58 campsites with water and electric are circled around the camping loop which also contains a restroom with hot showers as well as a trailer dump station.  Primitive camping is available at walk-in sites, a 30-70 yard walk from where your car will be parked.  These sites have picnic tables and fire rings with drinking water available to every 4 sites.  Composting toilets are in this area.  South Llano River State Park boasts two miles of river frontage.  There are numerous access points on the river when you get ready to put in your canoe or float in your tube, a favorite Texas spring break or summer activity.

Easy hiking trails allow hikers and mountain bikers to explore the wooded bottom land.  Bring your fishing pole along as you explore, you will probably want to throw your line in at the riverbank or in one of the two small oxbow lakes.  Fishing is free at any Texas State Park.  (If you are on a body of water you must have a Texas Fishing License.)  Several of the hiking trails will lead into the large adjoining Walter Buck Wildlife Management Area.

Wildlife observation is another favorite activity at South Llano River State Park.  The Rio Grand turkey roosts here in the winter.  Observation blinds are positioned to allow visitors a peek of the turkey moving to and from the roost.  It is important to note that a large portion of the park that contains the turkey roosting area is closed to visitors from October 1st through April 1st every year.

Admission fee to the South Llano River State Park is $3 per person, per day ages 13 and older.  Admission fees are waived if you are the holder of an annual Texas State Park Pass which sells for a $60 fee or $75 for a two card membership.

Overnight camping at the water and electric sites will cost you $17, a maximum of 8 people at each site is allowed.

Overnight camping at the water only primitive sites is $10 per night with a maximum of 4 persons allowed.

325-446-3994

www.tpwd.state.tx.us


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South Llano River State Park and Dinosaur Valley State Park

Friday, March 5th, 2010

If you are looking for parks to camp with the kids this Spring Break I have two great choices for you.  Be sure to call ahead for reservations, the sooner the better, these are very popular parks and will fill up for Spring Break.

My first suggestion is Dinosaur Valley State Park.  It will only take you 90 minutes or so to drive to Glen Rose, Texas where the park is located, from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, a big plus with a carload of kids.

My second suggestion is the South Llano River State Park out near Junction, Texas.  Now this park will take you approximately 6 hours travel time but it is well worth the trip.

We recently visited both of these parks.  Here is the information you need to know.

Dinosaur Valley State Park as well as being a Texas State Park has been designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.  The park itself is a roomy 1,523 acres of natural wonder.  Camping with water and electric hook-ups is limited to one camping loop with 46 designated campsites.  All are equipped with grills and fire rings.  A restroom with hot showers is located in the camping loop and a trailer dump station is available.  There are 7 walk-in primitive sites for camping in the North Primitive Camping Area.  Start your visit to the park with a photo op at the Dinosaur Models at the entrance.  They are fiberglass models of the Tyrannosaurus Rex standing at 45 foot next to the gigantic 70 foot Apatosaurus, also called Brontosaurus built for exhibit at the New York City World’s Fair in 1964.  They were donated to the park in 1970.  Now go and look for the dinosaur tracks in the park belonging to relatives of these two dinosaurs.  There are 4 dinosaur track viewing areas here on the banks of the Paluxy River.  The Paluxy River is a tributary of the Brazos River.  The dinosaur tracks are exposed at various places in the streambed.  Track Site #1, named The Blue Hole hosts an old-time swimming hole ranging in depth from 12-21 feet.  Track Site #2 contains numerous three-toed carnivorous dinosaur tracks.  You can hop right across the rocks in the river to the right side to view the best of them. After you visit sites #3 and #4 head back up to the visitors center to put it all in perspective. The roomy exhibit hall contains a large relief map, models, drawings and interpretive displays on the history of the area and the dinosaurs.  If you are still craving activity there are 12 miles of scenic hike and bike trails easily enjoyed in 1-2 mile segments.  The South Primitive area of the park has 100 acres reserved for equestrian recreation.  There are no marked trails in this area.

Admission to the park is $5 per person, daily, for those age 13 and older.  Purchase an annual Texas State Park Pass for $60 per card or $75 for a two-card membership and the daily admission fee is waived.  Water and electric campsites will cost you $25 per night.  The North Primitive Camping Area fee is $15 per night.

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/parks

254-897-4588

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South Llano River State Park

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Dallas RV Show, February 2010

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

The Dallas RV Show opens this Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 10AM and will continue until 7PM.  The Dallas RV Show continues on Friday the 26th of February, 2010 and Saturday the 27th of February 2010 from 10AM-8PM.  On Sunday the 28th of February, 2010 the show opens at 12Noon and closes at 6PM.  More than 15 RV Dealers will showcase their motorhomes, fifth-wheels, travel trailers and tent trailers in the more than 350,000 sq ft of exhibit space at Dallas Market Hall.  RV accessories and more will be offered by vendors in booths.  Free seminars will take place each day of the show.  Admission to the Dallas RV Show is $10 per adult, $5 for kids 3-12 years of age with kids 2 and under entering free of charge.  Discount admission of $8 is available on Thursday only for seniors.  Parking is free.  The Dallas RV Show is held at Dallas Market Center, 2100 N Stemmons Freeway, Dallas Texas 75207

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February 2010 in North Texas

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

I’ll have to admit February is not one of my favorite months.  There is a highlight right in the middle of the month, Valentine’s Day, but other than that I am glad it is the shortest month of the year.  Here in North Texas there are more dark gloomy days than bright ones and the rain arrives every week.  It seems as though we just get one storm moved off to the east and the next one is right behind it.  It’s not even so much the cold, although this February we have had plenty of lower than normal temperatures, it’s the lack of sun!  I can take a cold, sunny day but have trouble when the brightness of the day stays hidden behind a heavy blanket of gray clouds.  The hiking trails here at the state park where we are spending the winter have been closed indefinitely due to the rain.  Any foot traffic on the trails, now turned to mud would cause irreparable damage to the fragile prairie grasslands.  The popular off road bicycling trails have been closed and deserted for months and not expected to open back up any time soon.  The lake is lifeless and uninviting with not a boater in sight.  Every so often an intrepid visitor will head down the road towards the shore with a kayak in tow but almost certainly returns within a few minutes.  Ankle deep mud along the banks, another rain caused hazard, would make putting a canoe or kayak into the water an unpleasant mucky project.  For now I am day dreaming of summer activities and passing the time reading, writing and walking the park roads with the puppies.  Hold on, I just remembered that the fishing pond, crisscrossed by raised wooden walkways has been stocked with trout this winter.    Maybe Andrew will come out and we can brighten up this cold bleak afternoon with a little trout fishing!

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Texas Trivia

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

We picked up a free booklet on a recent visit to a Texas State Park called “Tall Tales of Texas.”

Here are some of the trivia facts I found most interesting.

It is estimated that Texas has approximately 11,500 historic markers alongside it’s highways and by-ways.

The state bird of Texas is the mockingbird.  There are four other states also naming the mockingbird their state bird.  They are Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.

The monarch butterfly is the state insect of Texas.

The city of Canyon, Texas is near two outstanding canyons.  They are Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro Canyon.  Caprock Canyons is home to the Texas State Bison Herd.  Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States, taking it’s number two spot right behind the Grand Canyon.  Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to the outdoor drama “Texas” performed every summer at the amphitheater in the canyon, telling the story of the state of Texas in song and dance.

There are nine different species of rattlesnakes living in Texas.  You may find them in tall grass and rocky outcroppings.

The guitar is the official musical instrument of the state of Texas.

The square dance is the official dance.

The city of Texarkana is is situated in both Texas and Arkansas.

“Tall Tales of Texas” has written that in 1897, a horned lizard became trapped in the marble cornerstone of the county courthouse in Eastland, Texas.  Thirty-one years later, when the building was torn down, the lizard was found alive and well.  Locals named him Old Rip for Rip Van Winkle.

The Dinosaur Capital of Texas is Glen Rose, Texas.  Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas contains dinosaur tracks over 113 million years old.

The state plant of Texas is the prickly pear cactus.  The fruits of most prickly pears are edible and sold in stores under the name “tuna.”  The branches of the prickly pears, also known as pads, may be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.  They are sold in stores under the name “nopalito.”

There is actually a Texas BBQ Trail stopping at mouth watering family owned barbeque joints in the vicinity of Austin Texas including Elgin, Lockhart, Luling and Taylor Texas.

The oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant in the world is in Dublin, Texas.  Belly up to the soda fountain to taste the original Dr Pepper blended with Texas’ own Imperial Pure Cane Sugar.  Cases of bottles or cans are available for sale to take home.

The Six Flags that have flown over Texas are Spain, France, Mexico, Texas as an independent country, the Confederacy and the United States.

There is a lot more to learn and know about the great state of Texas.  For now I am going to end with the Lone Star Flag.  Once the symbol of the Republic of Texas it features a five-pointed white star on a blue background, a white strip for unity and a red stripe representing courage.  Texas became a state in 1846 and has kept the same flag ever since.  Texas is the only state which was once an independent country.

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