Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas Outdoor Stories from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Philipp Hübner, from Austin, spent his formative years in Tennessee. His outdoor story is about the value of befriending landowners.

One of the things that strikes me about the great outdoors is there are so many beautiful places that are on private lands. One of the places that comes to mind is in Central Tennessee, up in the Cumberland Mountains, a place called Hardscrabble Falls, which a friend of mine and I had heard about, but could never find on any maps or any places official.

And, from there, we just really grew to appreciate the relationships that people can build with other people that might have beautiful scenery and other attractions on their own private land. So, I’d encourage anybody that has the opportunity to do that, by all means do it. And, enjoy what’s out there.

Thanks, Philipp. Visit passportotexas.org and tell us your outdoor story.

That’s our show for today… Remember: Life’s Better Outside…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Camping is the perfect way to turn an average weekend into a vacation. State parks have everything from primitive camp grounds to those with restrooms, water and electricity. There are parks in every region of Texas, so your destination is only a short drive away.

Be prepared before leaving on your camping adventure. Pack a tent, lantern, and water, and be sure to wear clothing that’s appropriate for the time of year and location. Remember your sunscreen all year round.

For those who want to bring a little piece of home with them, several parks accommodate RVs. Call the site to determine what RV connections are available.

For the pampered camper, check out state parks with cabins and lodges. Historic inns and secluded ranches make for an extra relaxing getaway.

When camping, remember you are a visitor in nature’s home. To discourage resident wildlife from your campsite, store and dispose of food properly and never leave a campfire or cook stove unattended. Always pack out everything you packed into the park.

Follow these guidelines and you’re sure to be a happy camper.

Details about camping in state parks can be found on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger. Joel Block engineers our program…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Spring is that ephemeral expanse of time between our unpredictable winters and our all-too- predictable summers.

The unrelenting heat and humidity of summer turns many Texans into prisoners of indoor air conditioning. Yet, imagine if you can, a place in our great state where in July people wear sweaters and light jackets to protect themselves against the chill of the night air. Is this just some beautiful dream? No, my friends, it’s the Davis Mountains of West Texas.

One thing nice about the Davis Mountains is you can’t beat the weather.

David Bischofhausen manages the Davis Mountains State Park Complex.

I see people on the fourth of July in the park having to wear sweatshirts because it gets so cool at night. It’s generally dry and usually – you know – ten to fifteen degrees cooler up in the mountains than it is down in the flats. The lodge is right about 5-thousand feet in elevation. Park headquarters is about 49-hundred — so we go up from there.

We’re in the foothills of the Davis Mountains. So, we’re definitely in a sky island with lots of vegetation and lots of wildlife. Just a beautiful place. And, some people don’t think there are mountains in Texas…you come out here and it’s just unbelievable. I mean it’s just gorgeous.

So when you can’t stand the heat…head to the mountains.

Learn more about Davis Mountain State Park.

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

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