Passport to Texas

State Parks: Spring Break Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Throughout the month of March, students and families will take time away from school and work to enjoy a week-long spring break. And most want to spend that time on or near the water. Our State Park guide Bryan Frazier says state parks offer plenty of wet and wild fun.

61—People are anxious to get outside; they’ve got some cabin fever. And so they want to go to the beach, or they want to go to the coast. And we’ve got Galveston Island SP there, on the upper Texas coast down to Goose Island SP in the middle Texas coast.

And they don’t just like to fish. A lot of times people just want to canoe or kayak. And we’ve got places where you can rent those in our state parks, which is great for spring breakers who go there. Places like Inks Lake State Park, or Village Creek, or Buescher SP, or Palmetto SP. We even have hydro-bikes. Pedal boats at lots of pars…so whatever your brand of water recreation for Spring Break—visit a state park and I think we can accommodate you.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Celebrating Texas Independence Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This year on March 3, you have two chances to celebrate Texas Independence at historic state parks. Our State Park guide Bryan Frazier has the details.

64—One of them of course is Washington-on-the Brazos State Historic Site which is considered the birthplace of Texas. So, they’re going to pull out all the stops as they always do for Texas Independence Day at Washington-on-the Brazos State Historic Site which is just outside of Brenham, if people are looking to go there.

The fort was from 1860s to 1870s; there are seven restored frontier fort buildings at Ft. Richardson. So it makes an even neater backdrop to celebrate Texas independence Day. So, check it out on our website at texasstateparks.org.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Recreation: Rock Climbing Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Brad Bell doesn’t think twice when you ask him why anyone would climb a rock.

04—Why would someone wanna…Because it’s there (laugh)…

The Austin resident teaches the sport of rock climbing. He says although you don’t need rock-hard abs to climb — before you attempt this sport — a little weight training may be in order first…

13—Upper body strength is good and leg strength is even more of a plus. (Nat sound) “There ya go…push your hand and then move your hand up to the next one…there ya go (screams) pull on up…good!

And even though rock climbing offers climbers a feeling or solitude, it’s critical – whether you’re a novice or a seasoned climber — never go alone.

12—You should always have team partners… because you have to have a partner to help you belay and help you repel down and basically it’s a team effort all the way up.

Four Texas state parks offer rock climbing: Enchanted Rock, north of Fredericksburg, Hueco Tanks, just north of El Paso, Caprock Canyons southeast of Amarillo and Lake Mineral Wells.

When you log onto the Texas Parks and wildlife Web site, you’ll find more information about ways to enjoy the great Texas outdoors.

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

State Parks: Falcon Lake State Park Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Falcon Lake State Park is home to some big bass, and straddles the Texas-Mexico border. Our State Park guide Bryan Frazier says now is a great time to fish the lake for lunkers.

64—Falcon Lake turns on this time of year to become one of the best bass fishing lakes in the Southwest US. All of that South Texas scrub brush that people are so familiar with on the landscape is pretty much what’s on the bottom of that lake–and it’s great fish habitat.

It’s not your typical lake. It’s a long, skinny lake—it’s 60 miles long. It was actually impounded in 1953; President Dwight Eisenhower was there to christen this lake when they opened it. Falcon lake is a place you want to check out even if you’re not a winter Texan. Although it’s a great place to go and check out all the birds that winter there as well. But for fishing, Falcon lake is on the bucket list for a lot of people.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

State Parks: Lake Tawakoni Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The first time most of us heard of Lake Tawakoni State Park, it was because of a massive spider web found at the site. But there’s more to this ten year old park than arachnids. Our State Park guide Bryan Frazier explains.

59—It really endeared itself to people nationwide because of that spectacular spider web that was one in a million. And so it put it on the map in some respect, but it’s a great place, too.

So, check it out on our website—and that’s texcasstateparks.org. And that’s Lake Tawakoni’s ten year anniversary.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.