Passport to Texas

LBJ and Lady Bird enjoying the wildflowers in his beloved Texas Hill Country.

LBJ -- In His Own Words Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Even though Lyndon Baines Johnson spent many memorable years in Washington DC, the Texas Hill Country held a special place in his heart.

Here is where I would always return, to the Pedernales River, the scenes of my childhood. There’s something different about this country, from any other part of the nation.

LBJ often credited these pristine surroundings of his youth as a major influence in his life and presidency.

It is impossible to live on this land without being a part of it. Without being shaped by its qualities. This molds the character of the people here. But it is also a bold and beautiful land, where the air is clear and the water is pure and the wildflowers flashing in the sun

And it is where he returned when he left the White House.

I guess every person feels a part of the place where they were born, he wants to go back to the surroundings that he knew as a child and this is my country, the Hill Country of Texas.

The LBJ State Park and Historic Site, located near Johnson City, gives visitors a chance to experience the land which President Johnson held dear.

There’s something about this section that brings new life and new hope and really a balanced and better view point after you have been here a few days.

Learn more about the LBJ State Historic Site, log on to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

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

Members of the Texas State Bison Herd at Caprock Canyons State Park

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This is Passport to Texas

History walks on four legs at Caprock Canyons State Park. It’s where descendants of southern plains bison, from a herd started by rancher Charles Goodnight, roam free.

It’s the official bison herd of the State of Texas. It’s a herd started by Charles Goodnight back in 1878; these animals are direct descendants of those that he captured in the wild right here in this area.

Donald Beard is park superintendent.

These are the last true remaining example of the southern plains bison. Animals that were captured by him [Goodnight] in these canyons. Kept in these canyons and never had any influence from any other animals [bison] outside of this area. So, their genetics are basically the same as they were back in the 1870s.

No fences separate visitors to Caprock Canyons State Park from the approximately 150-plus bison on site.

Awe, it’s amazing. You have to wait for them to cross the road. They can wander through your campsite. Go down to the lake while you’re fishing and take a drink. They’re just like any other wild animal in the park. You can experience them as they were – not behind a fence in an exhibition.

September 23 the 7th Texas State Bison Music Fest takes place in Quitaque. Find the music lineup and ticket information at bisonfest.com. Money raised funds bison research and conservation.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Battle of San Jacinto Battle Reenactment

Celebrating a Pivotal Moment in Texas History Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

The Battle of San Jacinto was a game changer in Texas History. On April 21, 1836, an untrained Texian militia routed General Santa Ana’s troops.

The actual battle lasted less than half an hour; it carried on into the evening with clean up. But the main assault and the main fighting was done in less than half an hour.

Justin Rhodes is Region Four Director for State Parks, which includes the San Jacinto Battlegrounds in LaPorte. On Saturday, April 22th, the historic site celebrates this momentous battle with a reenactment and festival.

If you’re planning on coming out, I would recommend you arrive early when the crowds are low. That will give you plenty of time to visit the festival and get set up for the reenactment. The reenactment will occur only once during the day.

And that happens around 3 p.m. Rhodes hopes visitors leave with renewed appreciation for the sacrifices made on the battlefield in 1836.

Ultimately we want visitors to take away an appreciation of the significance of the site, the event, the history tht brought us to where we are today. So much of what we do today and tomorrow is based on lessons from the past – from the sacrifices that these men and women brought forward. They teach us valuable life lessons moving into the future.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The reenactment is at 3 p.m. details at texasstateparks.org.

That’s our show for today…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

The Battle of San Jacinto

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This is Passport to Texas

Six weeks after the fall of the Alamo General Sam Houston’s Texas army took less than 30 minutes to overpower Santa Ana’s militia, at what is now the San Jacinto Battleground.

San Jacinto is such a special place. It’s where we won our Texas independence. It’s where many scholars will argue that the history for not just Texas, but more so the United States — and even the world — was set with the Texian army winning that battle on April 21, 1836.

Justin Rhodes is the Region Four Director for State Parks, which includes the San Jacinto.

It’s interesting to sit down and talk to other historians and hear the “what ifs.” What if Texas did not win? Where would we be? Where would the United States be? Where would the world be without that victory that day? You know, where the battle occurred is right on – now – the Houston Ship Channel, which is one of the busier ports in the world.

The Texian Army was a rag tag crew of untrained men, battling against Santa Anna’s professional soldiers. Fighting on their home turf to preserve the lives they’d worked to achieve spurred them to victory.

Any time someone tries to take something that’s near and dear to your heart, you’re going to have that spirit that flows through to make you fight that much harder. And that was the backbone of the Texian army.

Celebrating the victory at San Jacinto is tomorrow.

That’s our show for today…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Declaration of Texas’ Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

2017 Texas Independence Day Festivities Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Washington-on-the-Brazos is the birthplace of Texas. We observe the state’s anniversary on March 2, but we celebrate its 181 years on March 4th and 5th with family friendly activities at the State Park and Historic Site.

The Texas Independence Day festival observes the March 2, 1836 adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and brings thousands of folks to Washington-on-the-Brazos to celebrate Texas’ birth.

The festivities this year include live performances, food, music, tours, traditional crafts, demonstrations, living history presentations, historical encampments, commemorative programs, and historic firearms and cannon demonstrations.

There will something for everyone. Visit the Star of the Republic Museum, featuring collections honoring the history of early Texans; there’s Independence Hall, where representatives wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence; and Barrington Living History Farm, where interpreters dress, work and farm as did the original residents of this homestead.

Admission is free Saturday and Sunday, March fourth and fifth, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Visit the calendar section of the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for more details.

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

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