Passport to Texas

Singing around a campfire.

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Campfires at state parks enliven your overnight camping experience. Yet, Terry Erwin says before building a blaze–ensure the site is suited for the purpose.

19-When you want to build a fire you certainly have to find a location to build it. You want the ground or the level where you’re going to build the fire to be dry. You clear the leaves away and if possible, gather some rocks to make a fire ring that will contain that fire.

Erwin is and avid outdoorsman and former Hunter Education Coordinator for Parks and Wildlife. Unless authorized by the park manager, he says you may not collect firewood at the park. Therefore, campers must pack in what they need.

23-Start with a bird’s nest of material so if you put your spark in there, gather some cedar bowls or cedar bark and when you spark it, you can blow on the spark and that will enhance the fire. Start with little sticks and graduate to bigger sticks until you add twigs, grass and bark shavings and things like that on the fire to get it started. Then you can add the larger sticks and get it going at that point.

Extinguish your campfire by drenching it with water, and repeat this step until all embers are dead. Alternatively, cover the embers with a thick layer of soil.

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

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

Family takes time to view wildlife while on a state park hike.

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Saturday, June 6th is National Trails Day–a nationwide event organized by the American Hiking Society to create awareness about the variety of trails across the country.

You can go to any park any time and find a trail to explore, but on National Trails Day parks statewide host special guided hiking events. We’ll focus on two events out west.

If you are in the El Paso area, the Wyler Arial Tramway at Franklin Mountains State Park hosts a 7 a.m., mile-long hike up Ranger Peak with a short Leave No Trace workshop prior getting underway. At the top of Ranger Peak you can enjoy a 7,000 square mile view of three
states and two nations. This hike is moderate to strenuous due to the incline.

Big Bend Ranch State Park offers a round trip 1.5 mile hike that starts at 9 a.m. June 6th and will take in the spectacular panoramic views from the top of the ridge trail. It’s a strenuous 2.5 hour hike; they recommend wearing a long sleeved shirt and long pants, and bringing at least 20 ounces of water with you.

In fact, anytime you go hiking, wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and bring plenty of water, a snack, and a walking stick if you like.

For more information about National Trails Day June 6th and to sign-up for these and other guided hikes, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, or call the parks directly.

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

Hiking at McKinney Falls State Park in November 1974.

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This is Passport to Texas

Saturday June 6th is National Trails Day. And as it happens, hiking is a popular activity at Texas State Parks.

05- Our trails really give people an opportunity to experience everything about state parks.

Thomas Wilhelm works with state parks, and says hikers and walkers of all abilities have the unique opportunity to experience nature up close and personal on the trails during National Trails Day, June 6th and every day.

12- We have hikes from beginner level paved hikes all the way to very difficult hikes. So, regardless of your skills or your interests –
there’s a trail that’s perfect for you [in a state park].

This includes equestrian trails and ADA Accessible trails. The trails in Texas State Parks offer hikers opportunities to experience native flora and fauna, as well as solitude, peace and calm. And, for those who like to exercise their brain along with their bodies…

15-There’s also opportunities with interpretive hikes that have panels along the way that explain what’s happening. So, you’re either learning something about nature or about history — or whatever it may be. So it’s both a relaxing experience or an enlightening experience.

Celebrate National Trails Day June 6th by finding a trail that’s just right for you at texasstateparks.org.

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.

A drummer keeps the beat during a musical performance at McKinney Falls State Park.

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This is Passport to Texas

Texas State Parks can inspire artistic pursuits.

07-Our state parks are such amazing places–for lots of reasons–but one of the reasons is how creative they can make us feel.

Chris Holmes is Director of Interpretation for State Parks, and writes about the Arts in the Parks initiative in the May issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. The idea for the program came to him after a family art activity.

21- We took an art workshop down at one of the strip malls, and we learned how to make a painting with the whole family–and it was so much fun–but the irony was, we were all doing a picture of the forest, but we were in the middle of Austin. And I thought: ‘Wow. Couldn’t we make this workshop be at a state park and let the family look at the outdoors versus being inside?’

The answer was: of course! While making art in parks is not new; the focus has often been painting and drawing.

14- We’ve really expanded it to writing, poetry, songs and dances, and film-making and blogging–and anything that goes under that whole creative artistic umbrella is what we’re encouraging to happen in our parks.

Find an art program near you in the calendar section of the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. And learn more about the Arts in the Parks initiative in the May issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

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

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

Picnics in state parks do not have to be complicated.

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May is the start of picnicking season in Texas. Angela Shelf Medearis, an author and cook, whose moniker is The Kitchen Diva, offers tips for a stress-free picnic.

62— Well, let me give you Diva Picnic 101. For one – make foods that you could do in advance. If I was doing a picnic, I would have something like a really good roast chicken; just cut the pieces up and pack those in there. I do a Carolina Cole Slaw; you toss it up, throw it in the refrigerator – it gets better day-by-day. So, if you want to do that ahead you could. You don’t have to worry about having to do everything that day. That takes all the fun out of the picnic to me if you’re trying to do all the food prep, and pack everything, and get everybody to the park. So, start your picnic a few days ahead. Use a lot of fresh fruits for dessert. The thing about a picnic that I love is you can totally unplug and really focus on the people you should be paying the most attention to. You can get out in nature; we have some beautiful parks. Some beautiful places to go in Texas. And, it gives you a chance to really focus on the most important things: your family, nature, the beauty of life… So, do a little planning ahead, and pick dishes that will be fine hot or cold, and you can’t go wrong for a great picnic.

Remember: always pack out what you pack in, and leave your picnic site in better condition than you found it.

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

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