Just One Event

The South by Southwest Film, Music and Interactive Conferences and Festivals return to Austin, March 11-20.  So check out  all the new gadgets, feature films, media mixers, and bands you can find out about on the SXSW.com website. Tap into that creative energy and take on one of the most influential multimedia experiences in the world.

• SXSWeek March 11-20, 2011
• Interactive March 11-15
• Film March 11-19
• Music March 16-20

For years, I have been writing about SXSW.  I think I will limit my posts on SXSW to any big news coming down the information highway. One word of advice: If you want to attend SXSW, you need to start preparing now.

Here is archive of previous posts on Texas RV Travel Blog on SXSW.

Visit the SXSW.com website.  You will soon see that  you should make arrangements for a hotel (some are already sold out) and transportation. Read the information on the website  to get ahead of the game. SXSW is a mammoth happening and it is overwhelming if you are not prepared.

Here are some RSS feeds to which you may want to subscribe:

Front page: http://feeds.feedburner.com/SXSWnews

Music: http://feeds.feedburner.com/SXSWmusic

Film: http://feeds.feedburner.com/SXSWfilm

Interactive: http://feeds.feedburner.com/SXSWinteractive

Good luck.  It will be an experience unlike any other conference you have attended.  Opportunities abound to network, Twitter, post to Facebook, stream live video, discover new games and gaming systems.  Bands have found management and gigs, interactive mavens have been hired or received work, the film festival is world renown.

Willie Nelson chopped of his long, pretty braids last year.  It is his hair and I am sure short hair is easier to deal with on tour buses.  However, people are still talking about it.

As far as I am concerned, he can shave himself bald and go naked and he would still be Willie Nelson, singer, songwriter, friend to the farmer, friend to the trucker, larger than life Texan and MY HERO!

Almost cut my hair
Happened just the other day
It’s gettin’ kind of long
I could’ve said it was in my way..

Almost Cut My Hair by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

The original TV show, Austin City Limits, is a PBS series that has brought both well-known and up-and-coming artists to its stage for more than three decades. The show was filmed on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Willie Nelson played the ACL pilot episode on the UT campus in 1976!

Austin City Limits venue has moved to Moody Theatre on Second Street Willie Nelson Boulevard. Yes, Willie now has a street named after him in Austin.

In February, performers will be rocking this world-class studio space. Check out opening night with the Steve Miller Band (Fly Like an Eagle), or performances by Gipsy Kings, Styx, Robyn, Diana Ross, Bill Maher and more. Willie Nelson is playing February 13 and 14. Get tickets at www.acl-live.com.

Whooping Cranes on the Texas Coast

The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

The Refuge Tour Loop is open daily from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. The Visitor Center is open daily (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 830 am-430 pm. An after-hours registration area is located just outside the Visitor Center front doors where you can find brochures and fee envelopes. Download Whooping Cranes: The Road to Survival brochure.

Costs

$3.00 – one person in a vehicle
$5.00 – two or more people in a vehicle
$25.00 – commercial vehicle (van or bus) with up to 20 people
$50.00 – commercial vehicle with 21 or more people
Entrance is free if you show your Aransas Annual Pass, Federal Duck Stamp, Golden Eagle Passport, Golden Age Passport, Golden Access Passport or National Park Pass with the upgrade hologram sticker.

Mailing Address

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex
P.O. Box 100Austwell, TX 77950
Telephone: (361) 286-355
E-mail: fw2_rw_aransas@fws.gov

Whooping Crane Tours

If you want to see many whoopers, take a boat trip out of Rockport. For latest information on boat tours, call the Rockport Chamber of Commerce at 361-729-6445 or 1-800-242-0071 (in Texas). Out of state, call 1-800-826-6441.

Aransas Birding Charters
Kevin Sims
e-mail:  texasbirding@msn.com
Cell: 361-790-3746

Rockport Birding and Kayak Adventures
Capt. Tommy Moore
e-mail:  tmoore@RockportAdventures.com
Phone:  361 727 0643
Toll Free:    877 892 4737   (877 TX BIRDS)

Area Calendar

February

• Weekend Van Tours – 10 am and 1 pm. Call for reservations.
• Last Weekend – Whooping Crane Festival, Port Aransas (February 24-27)
• Aransas Lecture Series Program
• Environmental Education Programs
• Whooping Crane Boat Tours – Rockport

March

• 1st Week – Refugio County Parade
• 14th – National Wildlife Refuge System Birthday
• Weekend Van Tours – 10 am and 1 pm. Call for reservations.
• Wildlife Art Contest Judging, Winners & New Artwork on Billboards Announced
• Spring Migration Begins
• Aransas Lecture Series Program
• Environmental Education Programs
• Whooping Crane Boat Tours – Rockport

April

• Weekend Van Tours – 10 am and 1 pm. Call for reservations.
• 15th – Fishing Access to San Antonio Bay
• 22nd – Earth Day
• Refuge Easter Basket Project
• Spring Migration
• Whooping Cranes Begin Northward Migration
• Wildlife Art Contest Billboard Unveiling
• Aransas Lecture Series Program
• Environmental Education Programs
• Whooping Crane Boat Tours End – Rockport

At the refuge there is a 16-mile driving Tour Loop with several pullouts. The first five miles is two-way. After the Observation Tower, the tour loop becomes one-way for the remaining 11 miles. There are 8 walking trails of various lengths off the Tour Loop. The Tour Loop and walking trails are self-guided. Bicycling is a popular activity on the Tour Loop.The topography is level and with stops for rest, hydration and snacks, the day will be one to remember.

RV Parks in Area

Beacon 7 RV Park
P.O. Box 518
West Bay Avenue
Seadrift, TX 77983
(361) 785-2717

River Ranch RV Park (no website found)
125 Haeber Lane Unit 2
Tivoli, TX 77990
361-286-3216