I found a new website called Take Me Fishing (TMF) while searching the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.  TMF is a  boating and fishing site hosted by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation RBFF.  This is a good beginning fishing and children fishing website.  Learn about fishing regulation, boat registration, where and when to go fishing.  This pledge caught my eye.  I always like stories and folklore in the oral tradition being passed along to the next generation.

Another tidbit of information I would like to share is that Texax State Parks and Wildlife are still waiving the normal fishing license and stamps–as long as you fishing on a body of water that is within the boundary of the park.

Once you have paid the park entrance fees, no one needs a fishing license or stamp, whether freshwater or saltwater, adult or child, as long as they’ are inside the state park. However, bag limits, length limits, and other regulations will still apply, and be enforced.

Gone Fishing Events include basic instruction in fishing skills and safety. Bring the whole family! No fishing license required. Fishing equipment and bait may be provided or you can bring your own. Bring drinking water and sunscreen; children must be accompanied by parent or adult guardian during instruction and fishing. Weather permitting we will meet in the boat ramp parking area at the park.

Angler Instructor Training, Fish with a Ranger, Fish from a Pier

Every Saturday, Weather Permitting –>> view this–park page for exact dates and parks –<<

Pier Fishing
Goose Island State Park
September 5

Pedernales River

Reimer’s Ranch

Just 30 minutes west of Austin, you will find three miles of continuous frontage along the Pedernales Rivers, with 2,427 acres to explore.  Local anglers come to fish for white bass, rock climbers hang out and there are four mountain biking and hiking trails with difficulty and length.  Fish, swim, enjoy the some of the most pristine public land remaining around Austin. Take Highway 71 west of Austin through the town of Bee Cave and turn left onto FM 3238 (Hamilton Pool Road). Travel 12 miles to the Park entrance, on your right. Day use only. Fee.

Hamilton Pool  Preserve

Hamilton Pool is a collapsed grotto formed by thousands of years of water erosion.  This pristine swimming hole is located 3/4 miles upstream from the confluence of Hamilton Creek and the Pedernales River. Rock strewn trail leads to the river. Water quality is carefully monitored, so call 512 264 2740 before making plans..  Take Highway 71 west of Austin through the town of Bee Cave and turn left onto FM 3238 (Hamilton Pool Road). Travel 13 miles to the Preserve entrance, on your right. Day use only. Admission is limited to 100 people. Fee

Pedernales Falls State Park

About 30 miles south of Austin off  Hwy290, Pedernales contains white water over a gradual slope and deep, slow-moving pools at the bottom of the “falls.” Access to the river from the parking lot is a rugged, steep climb. The park offers camping, showers, restrooms, hookups, and hiking trails. Visit TPWD website for more information. 830/868-7304. Fee.

Krause Springs

There are 32 springs on the property.  There is a man-made pool that drops into the natural pool  that flows into Lake Travis. Take Texas Highway 71 west from Austin, past the Pedernales River and drive 7 miles. Turn right on Spur 191, take a right turn on County Road 404.  You will see Krause Springs entrance is on the right.Day use, camping and 24 RV sites.  Fee

Eclectic Texas Events-This Weekend

Boerne

Wild West Chuck Wagon Dinner Show
The Enchanted Springs Ranch (Highway 46, west of IH-10)
July 21

http://www.enchantedspringsranch.com/

The Enchanted Springs Ranch will host a Texas BBQ, with live Western music, tractor wagon rides, animal park, western entertainment, pictures with Woodrow the Longhorn Steer, and tours through the Western movie set and Wild West Town, from 5-730 pm.

Fredericksburg

Third Annual Gourmet Chili Pepper & Salsa Festival
Wildseed Farms
July 23-24

http://www.tex-fest.com/

Enjoy the  hot air balloon show, wildflower fields, the butterfly haus, live music and much more. Live music by Ponty Bone & The Squeeze Tones at 7 pm Friday night and Rotel & The Hot Tomatoes at 8 pm Saturday night. Hours are Friday, 3-10 pm and Saturday, 10 am-11 pm.

Auto Swap Meet
Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, Highway 16 South
July 23-25

http://www.fredericksburgcarclub.com/

Fredericksburg Vintage Car Club (FVCC), a touring club affiliated with the Veteran Motor Car Club of America (VMCCA). Antique auto and car swap meet. Antique car lovers opportunity to become a treasure hunter and find vintage cars, parts and memorabilia. Hours are Friday and Saturday 8 am-5 pm and Sunday 8 am – noon. Swap meet is free.

Bandera

July 23-24
National Day of the American Cowboy Celebration
Frontier Times Museum and Running R Guest Ranch

http://frontiertimesmuseum.org/cowboy/index.htm

Event begins Friday night with a ranch rodeo. Enjoy a cowboy breakfast on the Courthouse lawn Saturday,  followed by a western arts and craft show with entertainment.  Ranch Rodeo follows in the evening on Saturday. No fee for celebration, rodeo tickets sold here.

Bellville

Spring Creek Bluegrass Club Show & Jam
Coushatte Recreation Ranch
July 24

http://springcreekbluegrass.com/monthly_show.htm

Spring Creek Bluegrass Club 4th Saturday show at Coushatte Recreation Ranch.  Jamming starts at 4 pm and the show starts at 630 pm.

Pipe Creek

Buckle Series Rodeo and Pipe Creek Stampede
BR Lightning Ranch – Located just 9 miles east of Bandera, 12 miles south of Boerne, and 22 miles west of Helotes. Turn off Hwy. 16 at pipe Creek 1/2 mile south on  FM 1283
July 24

http://www.lightningranch.com/rodeo_series.htm

Open Bull Riding – Junior Bull riding – Steer Riding – Calf Roping – Team Roping – Barrel Racing – Chute Dogging – Calf Scramble – Mutton Busting–AND–the world’s only high-diving aqua mules.

Brenham

Crush for Fun
July 24
Pleasant Hill Winery

http://www.pleasanthillwinery.com

Stomp grapes at Pleasant Hill Winery in Brenham.  Get a photograph of your purple feet and a T-shirt that reads “I picked, I stomped, I made some wine.”

Swimming Holes

There are many places to swim in freshwater in and around Austin.  The next few posts will cover the Hill Country, the Highland Lakes, the Guadalupe River, the San Marcos River, Wimberley and more.  Stay tuned.

Lake Austin

Lake Austin • Constant level lake with colder than usual water. The 1,830-acre Lower Colorado River Authority lake flows 20 miles down the Colorado River to Austin and Tom Miller Dam.

Fritz Hughes Park • This Travis County park is located just below Mansfield Dam.  Take Low Water Crossing Road off FM620 and go left at the “Y” in the road on Fritz Hughes Park Road. Fritz Hughes has a playground and nice picnic area, but not a great swimming area. If you go straight at the “Y” you get to the old low water crossing where the water is usually running pretty swift, and is more popular with fishermen than swimmers. Day use only.

Mary Quinlan Park • From the intersection of RR 620 and FM 2222, take RR 620 south to Quinlan Park Rd. Turn Left onto Quinlan Park Rd. and travel 5.5 miles to the park entrance. Mary Quinlan Park is located on the upper reaches of Lake Austin. This small, moderately visited park offers 5.8 acres of rolling hills with 200 feet of shoreline access, including the only public boat ramp for several miles.

Selma Hughes Park • From the intersection of RR 620 and FM 2222, take RR 620 south to Quinlan Park Rd. Turn left on Quinlan Park Rd. and travel 4.6 miles to Selma Hughes Rd.  Selma Hughes has restrooms and picnic tables. This is a small scenic park, with a nice, sandy lake bottom and plenty of shade trees. Day use only. Travis County Park.

Lake Austin

Emma Long Metropolitan park • Also known as City Park, Emma Long Metropolitan Park is located 6.2 miles off FM 2222 on City Park Road. The park is on the shores of Lake Austin, and consists of a total of 1150 acres, 70 of which are developed. Features include: 2 boat ramps, 2 sand volleyball courts, and 3 sets of volleyball standards. Emma Long Park has a designated swimming area in Lake Austin and has a large sandy beach. Men’s and women’s rest rooms, hot showers and dressing areas are also available. 20 camping sites are available with water and electricity hookups as well as 46 tent camping sites in which water is available at every 3rd site.

Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park • Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park is located on Lake Austin off of Commons Ford Rd. The Park consists of 215 acres and features opportunities for boating, fishing, nature study, picnicking, swimming, hiking and wildlife observation. The Waterfall Trail is a 1.25-mile round trip and takes visitors along a wooded creek to several small waterfalls, while the slightly shorter Pecan Grove Loop includes access to Lake Austin.

Westlake Beach • Private Park off Westlake Drive on the lower end of Lake Austin at 2509 Westlake Drive, Austin, TX 78746-2926. (512) 327-9004.

Barton Creek Watershed

Barton Creek • Barton Creek is part of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and is a eautiful urban natural area in the middle of the city. Access points to the creek are at Zilker Park, Loop 360 east of Loop 1, Barton Skyway at Spyglass, Gus Fruth Park on Barton Hills Drive, Camp Craft Road at the end of Westbank Drive, and Loop 1 south of Loop 360. Greenbelt and parks are alcohol-free areas. There are several popular spots on the creek, but these are the most popular.

Barton Springs Pool In Zilker Park • This gorgeous swimming hole is one of the top 10 tourist attractions in Austin. The spring-fed water is a consistent 68 degrees year-round. Showers, restrooms, a snack bar, playground, picnic tables, and canoe rental are available. Fee.

Campbell’s Hole • About a mile upstream from Barton Springs Pool on Barton Creek Greenbelt. Also accessible from Spyglass Road. It is s a wonderful location with a deep pool that has water most of the year and small rapids upstream when the creek is running.

Gus Fruth Park • One of the best parks and swimming holes on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, it has white water around big boulders and deep pools. It’s accessible by a rough, steep climb from Barton Hills Drive or a long walk on the greenbelt hike and bike path.

Twin Falls • Two small waterfalls here empty into a small pool. It’s a better place to people watch than to swim. Accessible from the entrance off the access road Loop 1 just south of Loop 360.

Bull Creek

Bull Creek District Park • Bull Creek, also known as Lakewood, is located in North Austin, just minutes from the Loop 1 and FM 2222. An alcohol-free park. Access to the creek is from a hike and bike trail that follows much of its winding course. The park is between FM2222 and Spicewood Springs Road along Loop 360, and the main entrance is off FM2222 at the end of Lakewood Drive. Day use.

Percy Pennybacker Bridge • Under the south end of the bridge over the creeks. The bridge has a boat ramp and dock. Primarily a parking lot for boat trailers.

Onion Creek

McKinney Falls State Park • The park has camping, hiking trails, and summer cabins for rent. From Ben White Boulevard (TX71) east of I-35 take Burleson Road south to McKinney Falls Parkway. Fee.

More to come . . .

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of St Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, Florida. All opinions are 100% mine.

New Day – Photo by AM Shehadeh

Ponce de Leon, who claimed Florida for Spain, first explored the area of Saint Augustine in 1513.  Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European established city, and the oldest port, in the continental United States.

St Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches are on the eastern coast of Florida, either on the Atlantic, the intercoastal waterway or riverfront.  There are all types of lodging, from luxurious beach front suite to a cozy room in a bed and breakfast in a historic home in St. Augustine.  There are also state parks, where you may camp in a tent or RV or rent a cabin or a room in a lodge.

My choice of lodging would be to camp with our trailer in Anastasia State Park on the beach.  If that park were unavailable, I would camp in Faver-Dykes State Park, a park that is known as a birding hotspot and is only a short drive to the beaches.  If you want to be closer to the action, then I would suggest the Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast, which is located in the historic section of St. Augustine.  If you stay at the B&B, you are just steps away from sights, dining and shopping.

Once you have checked into your lodgings, look at the area map and mark points of interest to you.  Inlets, barrier islands, bays and estuaries segment the coastline, so you will want to plan your trip.  Spend one or more days exploring the historic town of  St. Augustine.  You may explore St. Augustine on foot or take a scenic boat ride, a fishing trip or an eco-tour.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse was built in 1874 on the north end of Anastasia Island.  The view from the 165 foot tower is wonderful and not to be replicated anywhere else in the area. Although the view of the inlet and harbor from the rampart of the Castillo de San Marcos is inspiring. The inlet is best seen from the north side at Vilano Beach.

Castillo de San Marcos has daily interpretive programs by the National Park Service feature authentically uniformed soldiers from the 18th century.  Live cannon firings and discussion of colonial Spanish military life are included. .

Drive to Fort Matanzas National Monument, located 15 miles south of the city on Anastasia Island.  Pack a picnic, swimsuits and towels.  A free ferry takes you to Rattlesnake Island where you will view a historic reenactment of Spanish soldiers stationed at this remote outpost.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 -  get maps and brochures from CVB, check into accommodations, swim and plan your days.

Day 2 – spend the day exploring historic St. Augustine, including Castillo de San Marcos, if possible.

Day 3 – take a ride to Fort Manatazas National Monument, catch the ferry to the original site.

Day 4 – cruise to Anastasia State Park, where you can rents bicycles, beach chairs, ocean toys and umbrellas!

Day 5 – explore the beaches north and south of where you are staying

Day 6 – schedule a day for an airboat ride or leisurely cruise to view alligators in the wild. Pack up.

Day 7 -Sit back and relax as you are chauffeured in an horse-drawn carriage.

All photographs courtesy of the Florida Division of Historical Resources.