Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

You don’t have to walk far inside a state park before you come across fallen branches and twigs. But if you’re thinking about collecting them for your campfire, our State Park Guide Bryan Frazier say—think again.

A lot of people still assume that they can scavenge for firewood on site at the parks. That’s not true in most places. State parks, Federal Lands—you can’t gather firewood that’s lying around. That dead wood that falls form the trees, first of all it’s state property, second of all it provides habitat for lots of different animals. It eventually decomposes into the soil. You can always buy it either at nearby convenience stores—they’ll usually sell firewood, or the state park stores here in Texas will sell firewood to you, or their friends groups. But it’s smart to plan ahead and take some of it with you. A lot of us have fireplaces or big barbecue pits, so we have wood piles at home. Take that along, It’s cured wood. It’ll burn, it will light. It will burn easy, and that can save you down the road. You’re going to want a fire in cooler weather. You’re going to want a fire not just for cooking like in the summertime, but you’re going to want a fire that’s sustainable to provide some radiant heat and gather around. And it just makes the camping experience what everyone envisions. Nobody really thinks about camping and tents without having a nice campfire.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet…building dependable, reliable trucks for more than 90 years.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

In summer when we can predict long days of heat and drought, but winter isn’t so predictable. So, when you plan a cool weather camping trip, it’s a little harder to know how to dress.

State Park Guide, and Passport style guru, Bryan Frazier, says to definitely pack a warm coat.

Just in case. You never know what the weather is going to exactly do. But, what you want to remember is, when you are in the out of doors, it’s probably smarter to start out with lots of thin layers. You’re talking about days that may have 30, 40, 50 degree temperatures swings from morning to evening. So, if you find yourself cook, in the morning, you may find yourself warm in the afternoon. So, take those layers that come off easily and comfortably. Wear comfortable clothes; moisture wicking clothes and t-shirts are very good to keep you dry, to keep you warmer. And also remember, even though it’s winter time, you want your sunscreen; you want your sunhat, especially here in Texas. We get a lot of reflective light when we’re out camping or out on the water. So, make sure you take that as well.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet…building dependable, reliable trucks for more than 90 years.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

There’s a chill in the air, and our State Park Guide, Bryan Frazier, says that means it’s a great time for tent camping.

If you have an older tent it’s not a bad idea to set it up in your backyard before your trip—be sure there are no rips or tears. Or, if you’re purchasing a tent, today’s fabrics are lightweight and very durable, so you’re not going to have a problem packing them. Just make sure you get one big enough to accommodate you, the other people who are going to be with you, and in the winter time you’re going to have extra stuff: extra blanket, extra clothes, jackets, whatever. So you want to take that into account when you get a tent. There’s not reason you can’t have a tent for several years with just basic maintenance and care. Make sure you have plenty of stakes to stake that thing out. And once its set up, keep it zipped up the whole time to keep the critters and other things our maybe while you’re out on your day hike.

They’re sized per person—a one man, a two man, a four man. So, you can count on a two-person tent as a very basic one. If you go any smaller than that—unless it’s just you in a very remote area—most of our audience will want to go to a two-person tent just to make sure everyone is comfortable and that you can bring some of the items from home to really make that camping experience great. But those are some basic tips this time of year; that modest amount of advance planning will really pay off.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet…building dependable, reliable trucks for more than 90 years.

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

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This is a Passport to Texas State Park Getaway

Taking in the scenic beauty of the state on horseback is an experience like no other, and some of the best views and equestrian trails Texas has to offer are in state parks. Bryan Frazier has details.

Horseback riding, and just viewing a state park from horseback is just becoming more and more popular, and so to accommodate our customers, we’re trying to put equestrian friendly, or equestrian accommodating camping in our parks.

When you can see a state park and the beauty and the grandeur and the scenery from the back of a horse, that’s a really unique experience, and something that’s popular for a very good reason in our state parks.

Thanks Bryan.

Find more state park information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

Cast iron is a durable metal with an outstanding capacity to hold and transfer heat. No wonder Dutch ovens are made from it.

:07—A Dutch oven is a cast iron pot that pioneers used to cook their meals in over an open fire.

Tim Spice is in education and outreach at parks and Wildlife, currently serving in Iraq in the Army Reserves. He’s also an accomplished Dutch oven cook.

:07—I’ve done some stuffed Cornish game hens and quiche. Whatever you can bake in your oven you can bake in a Dutch oven.

For the new Dutch oven enthusiast, Spice recommends starting with a foolproof recipe.

:17—Stews are easy. Liquid recipes are forgiving in a Dutch oven. So, I just tell people to start with that. Pick a great beef stew or a chicken stew and go after it. Vegetables, stock and the meat of your choice – and just let it cook away. And you’ll have a great meal in a short period of time.

If you’re worried about using your Dutch oven for the first time in the wide open spaces, Spice recommends, doing a test run indoors.

:16—If I want to try something on a fire, I’ll get my Dutch oven out and I’ll cook it in my oven so I don’t have to worry about temperature control. I can focus on recipe adjustment. Let’s face it, when you’re out in the woods, camping – you’re trying to have a good time –you don’t have a full kitchen behind you. So, that’s what I do. I use it a lot.

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

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