Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The first time I saw Caprock Canyons State Park I did so from overhead, viewing the…then…14-thousand acre site from inside the cabin of a twin engine plane operated by Parks and Wildlife. The year was 1985; I was a fledgling producer working in public radio, and I was awe-struck.

More than twenty years later, Caprock Canyons SP still inspires awe, and offers even more outdoor opportunities with the addition in 1992 of a 64-mile trailway…bringing the park’s size to nearly 15-thousand acres.

Deanna Oberheu, park superintendent, says on October 20th the park will celebrate its 25th anniversary and the grand opening of a one million dollar visitor’s center.

The new visitor’s center is a brand new facility; it’s over four-thousand square feet. It will have a lot of exhibit space for us to be able to tell the story about Caprock Canyons.

Exhibits won’t be in until spring, but once they are…

The exhibits are going to have to do with the Caprock Canyons Trailway, which visitors don’t get to see a lot of, the Texas State Bison herd, which is housed here at Caprock Canyons SP, and other interesting things about the people and the geology about the canyons.

Visitors may also access a platform adjacent to the new center, overlooking the Texas State Bison Herd pasture.

Find links to information about the celebration and grand opening at passorttotexas.org. That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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October 20, 2007 — Caprock Canyons SP & Trailway — Visitor’s Center Grand Opening — The opening will be held in conjunction with the park’s 25th anniversary celebration. Other special events will occur throughout the day and park entrance fees will be waived. Call for more information (806) 455-1492.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Halloween is a time for ghosts, goblins and goodies…and
State parks across Texas are gearing up for some frightening family fun.

October 20th, the Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Site, on the Gulf Coast, is holding a Haunted Hayride from 7 to 9 pm. Games, goodies and a spooky storyteller will be on hand for brave visitors.

In North Texas, Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site and Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway host a Ghost Walk from 8 to 9 PM on October 27th. But don’t worry; all the ghosts are friendly on this trail.

For those looking for ghost stories, the Mission Tejas State Park, in East Texas, is hosting Fireside Storytelling on October 27th. Ranger John Tatum, a member of the Tejas Storytellers Association will be on hand from 7:30 to 9 pm. Not all the stories will be ghost stories but all will be age appropriate.

If you are looking for something a little batty in South Texas, don’t pass up the World Birding Center’s, 2nd Annual Halloween Fest on October 27th. The fest features programs on bats, kids costume contests, night hikes and more.

For more information on these and other Halloween events across Texas, visit passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Kate Lipinski… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

If you’re in the mood for something different, how about attending a concert in Longhorn Cavern?

We will have a jazz piano concert in the cavern on October the twentieth; it’s a one time, rare, occasion.

Kaye Barlow is Operations Manager at the site, located nine miles southwest of Burnet, in the Texas Hill Country. A piano concert in a cavern is no easy feat.

We had a piano mover who approached me and said, “Have you ever had a piano in the cave?” And I said, “Well, no. It’s kind of hard to get one down there.” So he said, “If I move a piano into the cavern at my expense, will you have a piano player?” I said, “Yes.”

The rest is musical history. Jazz pianist Joseph Cordi will perform in Longhorn Cavern on Saturday, October twentieth. Reservations are highly recommended. Go to passporttotexas.org for complete concert details.

You probably will not have an opportunity to hear anything like this again.

[music begins]

That’s our show for today… [I’m the piano man…] you’re listening to Joseph Cordi…[music…] For Texas Parks and Wildlife [music] I’m Cecilia Nasti.

[Finish out show with Joseph Cordi’s song]
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October 20, 2007 — Longhorn Cavern SP — Simple Sounds Concert in the Cave — A unique way to enjoy Longhorn Cavern State Park in the “original indoors.” Join us for Joseph Cordi, http://www.josephcordi.com/, jazz piano player and vocalist for our concerts in the cave series. Cordi helps to bring the “live music capital of the world” to the beautiful Hill Country at the park. Come for dinner and stay for the music. The show with diner is $25, and without dinner is $15. The concert will be followed by a complimentary coffee and hot chocolate social where you get to meet the artist. Dinner check-in is 4:45, and dinner is served at 5:00 p.m.. Concert check-in is 5:45, and the show ends at 8:30 p.m.; for more information, visit http://www.longhorncaverns.com. (877) 441-2283 or (512) 756-4680.

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