May 12th, 2010
This is Passport to Texas
For everyone out there who has ever had trouble finding a hiking companion, Melissa Gaskill suggests you may want to consider recruiting your dog.
It’s just great for the dog. I mean so many people have dogs and the dogs don’t get enough stimulation and exercise and interaction; and rather than having to do something like take them to a dog park where you’re just doing something for the dog – this is something for both of you.
Gaskill is the author of Best Hikes with Dogs Texas Hill Country and Gulf Coast. She says it’s easy to start hiking with man’s best friend.
You don’t need any special skills really. If you haven’t done it, don’t start with a twenty-five mile overnight. But for the most part, if you can carry a backpack with some water in it and you’ve got some shoes on – you can go.
Before heading out, to a state park, Gaskill recommends doing some research to make sure that dogs are allowed and that the trail is right for you.
Every park has some management. Whoever is in charge of it, whoever owns it, and they’ll have their own rules. You just have to ask. One thing that I would recommend is talking to the people at the park when you go for a variety of reasons. Ask them about the conditions of the trail. You might ask them what sorts of hazards there are. You can ask them about the weather. You know, people at the parks are really knowledgeable, they’re there and in general, they love to talk to you.
Dogs are welcome in state parks across Texas but leashes are required.
That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Prepping Your Pooch for a Camping Trip
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May 11th, 2010
This is a Passport to Texas State Park Getaway
Texas parks that have amazing geology, abundant wildlife, outstanding fishing, and plentiful campsites, stay packed, right? Our state park guide, Bryan Frazier, says Meridian State Park has all that and more… but without the crowds.
It’s kind of an overlooked park for its scenic beauty. It’s northwest of Waco—between Waco and Granbury.
You’ve got big limestone hills and trees and in the spring with the trees budding and coming out it’s an absolute beautiful time to go there. But it’s also go t a 72-acre lake that’s got great fishing.
The Bosque River is nearby and makes this series of valleys and rolling hills. And it’s a beautiful part of Texas; something where you can go camping or hiking…there’s trails.
It’s CCC built park in the 1930s from the Civilian Conservation Corps. It’s got a large group dining hall that was built back in the 1930s, and that beautiful stone work that the CCC is known for. But Meridian State Parks is a jewel, a little off the beaten path, that people might want to check out.
Thanks, Bryan!
Find more state park information at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.
That’s our show … For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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