Passport to Texas

Night Hike

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This is Passport to Texas

Don’t let the dark keep you indoors. With a flashlight, a friend, and a little daring, a night hike in a state park can be exhilarating.

One thing that’s really kind of fun, too, is to not use your flashlight.

When we spoke, Kelley Lauderdale was an interpretive specialist at Ray Roberts Lake State Park north of Denton.

If you let your eyes adjust to the dark and the moonlight, you’d be surprised at how well you can actually see. And sometimes when you do it that way, it really reveals a whole new wilderness. You see a lot more than when you get this tunnel vision with the flashlight and only see what’s illuminated.

Kelly recommended hiking with others on familiar trails, and to be prepared to experience wildlife by ear.

There are lots of amphibians that are active at night. And that’s one of the really fun things to listen for, because they’re pretty easy to hear. And oftentimes, once you learn to identify the sound of an amphibian, you’ll say: “Hey! That’s what I’ve been hearing all this time? I know that!”

Frogs and toads aren’t the only animals active at night.

There are owls that are active. Eastern screech owls are very nocturnal. Another bird that a lot of people hear at night is the Chuck Wills Widow; and they’ll sing and call all night long. Sometimes campers get a little bit tired of it if it’s really close to their campsite.

So step outside when the sun sets and get an earful of wildlife.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Wearing sturdy shoes for a vigorous hike.

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If your spring break includes hiking along trails, you’ll need something sturdier and safer than flip flops to protect and support your feet and ankles.

A light hiking shoe may suffice if trekking along a smooth, well maintained trail. They’re a more robust version of a running shoe, with good support and a flexible mid sole for comfort.

For more support, try hiking boots. These can be mid or high cut and take time to break in. Both the low and high cuts wrap around the ankle. Overall, wear this foot gear on day hikes when carrying light loads. If you commonly carry 40 pounds or more when hiking, a high cut boot will give you the best support.

The next boot in the lineup is the backpacking boot. They get two thumbs up when it comes to support and durability. They generally have a stiff mid sole and may be mid to high cut to help prevent ankle roll when carrying heavier loads.

The sturdiest boot on the market is the mountaineering boot. This is outdoor footwear at its toughest. They’re heavier boots made to help you carry heavier loads. They’re also able to accommodate crampons should you find yourself scuttling up a glacier.

That’s our show… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Learning to rock climb.

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Brad Bell doesn’t think twice when you ask him why anyone would climb a rock.

Why would someone wanna…Because a it’s there (laugh)…

The Austin resident teaches the sport of rock climbing. He says although you don’t need rock-hard abs to climb — before you attempt this sport — a little weight training may be in order first…

Upper body strength is good and leg strength is even more of a plus. (Nat sound) “There ya go…push your hand and then move your hand up to the next one…there ya go (screams) pull on up…good!

And even though rock climbing offers climbers a feeling or solitude, it’s critical – whether you’re a novice or a seasoned climber — never go alone.

You should always have team partners… because you have to have a partner to help you belay and help you repel down and basically it’s a team effort all the way up.

Four Texas state parks offer rock climbing: Enchanted Rock, north of Fredericksburg, Hueco Tanks, just north of El Paso, Caprock Canyons southeast of Amarillo and Lake Mineral Wells.

Find your next climbing adventure on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Website.

That’s our show…Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Enjoying the great Texas outdoors.

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Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to 52 weeks fresh possibilities. So, let’s consider how to make 2016 better for ourselves and our loved ones.

Of course, we could all get outside more because life’s better outside. But you knew that.

Time in nature has a way of resetting the brain. And researchers say children who spend time outdoors do better on exams and are less disruptive in the classroom. So, if we can’t give teachers pay raises, let’s at least give them kids that can concentrate class. Am I right?

And you. Bring a pair of walking shoes to the office; stroll outdoors in the fresh air during your breaks. It’s amazing how much nature actually exists in a concrete jungle.

We have 95 state parks, most of which are 90 minutes away, or less, from most of us. Grab family and friends and take a nature hike, ride a bike. Pitch a tent and sleep under the stars, or fish free in these natural playgrounds.

Commit to learning something new about Texas history, but not from a book. Visit one of the state’s incredible historic sites where it all went down.

There’s a world of wonder out there, and once you spend more time outdoors, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

That’s our show… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram.

From all of us at Passport to Texas, we wish you a New Year filled with outdoor adventure…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

First Day Hike at Pedernales Falls State Park.

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This is Passport to Texas

Here we are again, straddling the threshold of a new year. How will you spend the first day? You could devote the first day of 2016 recovering from the last day of 2015. You might also decide to remain in your jammies, parked in front of the television for a day of football, movies, and snacking. There’s nothing wrong with that… in theory.

But before you settle into that well-worn groove in the sofa and start brushing potato chip crumbs from your loungewear, change into your street clothes, and head out the door for a little fresh air and sunshine.

People who spend time outdoors are healthier, happier, and smarter. And how we spend the first day of the year is often indicative of how we’ll spend the entire year. That’s research talking, I’m just the messenger.

Go to the calendar section of the Texas Parks and Wildlife website to find outdoor opportunities for the first day of the New Year, including: a List Birding Hike at Tyler State Park in East Texas; A First Day Mountain Bike Ride for beginners at Franklin Mountains SP near El Paso; how about a First Day Hike at the Hill Country State Natural Area; or the fifth annual Stuffed Turkey Hike at Bonham SP to help walk off some of those holiday treats.

Or, just go outside and take a walk around your neighborhood and appreciate where you live and with whom you share your life. The games and movies will be on…and the chips will be crisp when you get back.

Remember: Life’s Better Outside. Happy New Year.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.