May 06 2008

Please Help Burma

Map of Burma / Myanmar

On May 2 and 3, 2008, Cyclone Nargis tore through Burma, also known as Myanmar. More than 22,000 people died, 41,000 are missing, and over one million are homeless.

In the city of Rangoon, a city of over 5 million, the hospitals were leveled and sources of drinking water ruined. The cyclone-related storm surge devastated the Irrawaddy delta, the area’s main rice growing region. Food prices have already doubled.

The political situation in Burma / Myanmar is troublesome to the relief effort. Workers for the United Nations are still waiting for entry visas. Volunteer movements are restricted. Oppression and poverty will prevent the people of Burma from recovering from this cyclone, likened to Hurricane Katrina, without aid.

Be a part of the first-line response to Cyclone Nargis in Burma. Click here to donate $25.  Thank you!

Posted by CyberCelt under Causes, Charity

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May 05 2008

McKinney Roughs Nature Park

Horseback Trails

McKinney Roughs Nature Park is located about 15 miles east of Austin on Highway 71. McKinney Roughs spreads over 1,100 acres and includes horseback riding (not camping). McKinney Roughs has two equestrian trail heads. Several of the trails offer scenic overlooks, cross pine groves and grasslands, as well as offer access to the Colorado River.

Trailhead gates are opened at sunrise and closed at sunset every day to allow trail riders access to the trails during optimal riding times. Fee is $10 per rider. Equestrian passbooks can be purchased for $250, which includes 50 passes. To check if equestrian trails are open, call the 24-hour trail information hotline at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 7427.  Link to the trail map in PDF.

BastropTexas.net has some great photographs of McKinney Roughs park.

Hiking Trails

McKinney Roughs contains the most extensive collection of hiking trails to be found in Central Texas. The official park website mentions over 15 miles of trails, with more planned in the future. $3 per person. No biking and no dogs on trails. View the details at Texas Hiking website.

Sunset at Happy Horse Hotel

Photograph from Happy Horse Hotel website. All rights reserved.

Area Campground

Happy Horse Hotel has tent and rig camping (water and electric only). There are a few openings for the May Full Moon Ride on May 16 and May 17) . $35 for each horse/rider, which will include the $5 ride ticket. The ride will last 60 to 90 minutes after mounting up, and riders must be able to comfortably trot and canter their horses, since timing is everything. Call 512-303-0589 for more details and exact times.

Posted by CyberCelt under Camping, Family Fun, Horseback Riding, Nature, RV Travel, Rivers, Skywatching, Wildlife Watching

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May 04 2008

Caprock Canyons

Aerial view of Caprock Canyonlands

Photography by Earl Nottingham © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Did you know there is a place in Texas where you may view the history of the Great Plains, which includes 260+ million years and six major geologic periods? The story is told in the sandstone cliffs and multicolored clays that form gypsum-laced pedestals, hoodoos and slides of the canyonlands. Standing on the bedrock of the Southern Plains, you will agree that Caprock Canyons State Park amd Trailway is unlike any other area of Texas.

Caprock Canyons State Park was Park of the Month November 2007. Below is an excerpt from this article:

Imagine a place where marbled redrock canyons slice through a vast landscape dominated by table top-flat plains, where miniature mountains pierce an azure sky, where historic railroad bridges seem to float in space and the descendants of ancient bison herds graze native grasses . . .

After the Visitors Center and the Discovery Center, the park road winds from the escarpment to the canyonlands below. Lake Theo, accessed by the first turn-in to the left along the park road, offers fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. The next right is Honea Flat Camping Area, where you park your RV. Down the road and to the right is Wild Horse Camping Area, the equestrian camping area.

After a couple of miles, as the road descends into the canyons of the North Prong and South Prong of the Little Red River, you will find Red Tent Camping Area on the left, the trailhead of the Upper and Lower Canyon Trails to the right. The road ends at South Prong Tent Camping Area. There are two primitive camping areas on the canyon trails.

Caprock Canyons State Park includes the Trailway, a 64-mile Rail-to-Trail conversion. Used for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, this multi-use trail begins at South Plains on top of the caprock escarpment and ends at Estelline in the Red River Valley. On the way from escarpment to river valley, the Trailway crosses 46 bridges and includes a trip through Clarity tunnel, home to a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats (April through October).

Notes:

  • All visitors must obtain an entrance permit to use parking area and trailway.
  • Overnight campers must obtain permits at the park headquarters.
  • Day-use fees may be paid at pay stations located at each trailhead.
  • Do not tie animals to man-made structures.
  • The Mexican free-tailed bats living in Clarity tunnel are very sensitive to traffic, noise, light and human presence. Walk your bike through the tunnel.

Posted by CyberCelt under Camping, Camping, Fish/Hunt, Hike/Bike/Run, Horseback Riding, Nature, RV Parks, RV Travel, Wildlife Watching

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May 02 2008

Spirit of the Mountain

Enchanted Rock Photograph

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

16710 Ranch Road 965
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
(325) 247-3903

To Native Americans, Enchanted Rock was the gateway to the next world. They named it Gahe, meaning Spirit of the Mountain. Kiowas, Apaches and Comanches journeyed to Enchanted Rock to achieve enlightenment. There are some phenomena that keep the spirits of Enchanted Rock alive. Ghost lights, moaning, creaking and drumming are reported periodically by visitors to and residents of the area.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area consists of 1643+ acres on Big Sandy Creek, north of Fredericksburg, Texas, between Gillespie and Llano Counties. At the urging of Lady Bird Johnson,The Nature Conservancy of Texas purchased Enchanted Rock in 1978. In 1984, it opened under the aegis of Texas Parks and Wildlife. Enchanted Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level and covers 640 acres. It is only one of many batholiths in the area and several in the park.

The islands of vegetation, called Vernal Pools, on the bare granite summit of Enchanted Rock are some of the most ecologically significant and severely threatened features of this state natural area. While in the SNA, do not disturb ANY plant or animal life, geological features, or Indian or historical artifacts. No trailers or RVs over 20 feet are allowed. Some of the camping is primitive (hike in), fires are only allowed in fire rings at each site, and wood gathering of any type is not allowed.

This is a gorgeous rock and a wonderful natural area. For an aerial or walking tour, pictures from the top, and many other pictures and information, please visit the E-rock website, maintained by an Enchanted Rock aficionado. Another website that has some wonderful photographs and useful information, please visit the Enchanted Rock page on American Southwest. Enchanted Rock is a wonderful place to learn to climb. Check the ErockOnline forum for help.

Posted by CyberCelt under Camping, Day Trips, Hike/Bike/Run, Nature, Skywatching, Strange

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May 02 2008

First Weekend in May

Custom Car and Truck Show

May 2

Custom Car and Truck Show, Conroe. Top 75, Top 10 Under Construction, Best of Show Car, Best of Show Truck, Best Engine, Best Undercarriage, Best Interior, Best Debut Car.

Maypole

May 3

Mayfest, Driftwood, Texas, 10am-6pm, free. Enjoy a beautiful day on the grounds of the historical church. Bake sale, food, vendors, silent auction, activities for children, live music including Nashville Recording Artist, Jill Parr.

The Heritage Gala, Dripping Springs, 6-11 pm, reservation. Relax under the stars and 150-year-old oak trees on the grounds of Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead Historic Museum. Wine tasting, gourmet dining, dancing to swing/jazz band, guided tours of historic homestead, silent and live auction.

Spring Fling, Gainesville, 10am-5pm. in Leonard Park. Eddie Coker, children’s entertainer will keep the youngsters busy, while parents explore the arts and crafts vendors. Radio Disney, Talley Fun and Games carnival, Little Britches Rodeo, Critterman and his Animal Ambassadors, Chuck Wagon Cooking and Blacksmith demonstrations, dog agility and obedience exhibits and miniature train round out the fun.

Antique Roses

May 3-4

Comfort Village Spring Antiques Show, Comfort, (Sa) 10am-5pm, (Su) 10am-4pm, Comfort Park on Highway 27. Look for stoneware and baskets, pewter, cupboards and farm tables, benches, shelves, architectural artifacts, textiles and linens and antique tools.

Heritage Home Tour 2008 : Roses of San Antonio Street, San Marcos, (Sa) 12 noon-6pm, (Su) 12 noon-5pm, San Antonio Street, tickets needed. A self-paced tour of 6 historic homes built between 1887 and 1920, spanning American Foursquare, Queen Anne, Pioneer Farmhouse, Greek Revival and other styles. Ticket holders receive 2008 Homes Tour map and descriptions. A beautiful selection of antique roses will be for sale at the tour ticket sales center on Mitchell Street, between W. San Antonio and MLK Streets.

Bison and calf

Texas Bison Festival, Hwy 290 East of Stonewall, (Sa&Su)10 am to 6pm, LBJ State Park, Adults $5; Children under 10 free. See a live bison herd and witness the Native American blessing of the herd. Visit the 1800s Texas Living History area, enjoy cowboy music and poetry, explore the farming lifesyle. In the Native American cultural area, you will enjoy dancers, music, storytellers; learn the art of bow making, flint knapping and fire making. Try a Bison burger or Bison sausage.

Posted by CyberCelt under Animals, Fairs and Festivals, Family Fun, Food & Wine, Gardens and Tours, Historic travel, Motor Sports, Museums, Music, Road Trips

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