Archief voor de Categorie van „Vissen/van de Jacht“

04 mei 2008

Langs gepost CyberCelt onder Het kamperen, Het kamperen, Vissen/Jacht, Stijging/Fiets/Gelopen, Horseback het Berijden, Aard, De Parken van rv, De Reis van rv, Het Letten op van het wild

De Canions van Caprock

Lucht mening van Caprock Canyonlands

Fotografie door Graaf Nottingham © Texas Parken en het Wild Department

Wist u er een plaats in Texas is waar u de geschiedenis van de Grote Vlaktes kunt bekijken, die 260+ miljoen jaar en zes belangrijke geologic periodes omvat? Het verhaal wordt verteld in de zandsteenklippen en multicolored klei dat vorm gips-geregen voetstukken, hoodoos en dia's van canyonlands. Zich bevindt op de basis van de Zuidelijke Vlaktes, zult u dat goedkeuren Het Park van de Staat van de Canions van Caprock amd Trailway is in tegenstelling tot een ander gebied van Texas.

Het Park van de Staat van de Canions van Caprock was Park van de Maand November 2007. Hieronder is een uittreksel van dit artikel:

Veronderstel een plaats waar de marmer redrock canions door een enorm landschap snijden dat door lijst hoogste-vlakke vlaktes wordt overheerst, waar de miniatuurbergen een azuurblauwe hemel doordringen, waar de historische spoorwegbruggen om in ruimte en de nakomelingen van oude bizonkudden schijnen te drijven weid inheemse grassen. . .

Na het Centrum van Bezoekers en het Centrum van de Ontdekking, de winden van de parkweg van escarpment aan hieronder canyonlands. Het meer Theo, die door de eerste draai-binnen aan de linkerzijde langs de parkweg wordt betreden, biedt visserij, het zwemmen en niet-gemotoriseerd roeien aan. Het volgende recht is Vlak het Kamperen Honea Gebied, waar u uw rv parkeert. Onderaan de weg en aan het recht is Wild het Kamperen van het Paard Gebied, het ruiter het kamperen gebied.

Na een paar mijlen, als weg daalt in de canions van de Riek van het Noorden en de Riek van het Zuiden van de Kleine Rode Rivier, zal u Rood het Kamperen van de Tent Gebied op de linkerzijde, trailhead van de Hogere en Lagere Slepen van de Canion aan het recht vinden. 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.

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Feb 28 2008

Posted by CyberCelt under Fish/Hunt, Nature, RV Parks, RV Travel, Strange, Wildlife Watching

Snakes in Sweetwater

Western Diamondback Snake

Picture courtesy of http://free-stock-photos.com/

Annual Rattlesnake Roundup

March 6-March 9, 2008
Nolan County Coliseum

Sweetwater, Texas

Rattlesnake Facts

The Western Diamondback rattler can exceed seven feet in length and is the biggest of 20+ species and sub-species of Southwestern desert rattlers. Rattlers belong to a class of 100+ species of poisonous snakes generally called pit vipers.

Rattlesnakes can be a problem to ranchers, hunters, campers, hikers and anyone else who wants to enjoy the outdoors. For this reason, rattlesnake round ups began as a way to cull the rattlesnake population.

Sweetwater Rattlesnake Round-Up

The official kick off to the Rattlesnake Round-Up is the Rattlesnake Review Parade, held Thursday, March 06, 2008. This is followed by the Miss Snake Charmer Pageant held in the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium.

The actual roundup begins Friday, March 7, and is held at the Nolan County Coliseum and the park adjacent to the coliseum.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, experienced snake hunters guide groups of registered hunters out to assist in the hunting and handing of the live rattlesnakes. Registration, license and fee required.

  • If you do not want to hunt rattlesnakes, guided bus tours leave periodically throughout the day to view, film or photograph live rattlesnakes in their natural habitat.
  • You can watch rattlesnakes being weighed, measured, milked and handled. If you wish, you may touch a live rattlesnake or eat a piece of deep fried rattlesnake. Other snacks are available as well.
  • There are snake products and other crafts available for sale in the coliseum and at booths in Newman Park during the weekend.
  • The Rattlesnake Round-Up Cook-off is held Saturday only in Newman Park, a 25 acre city park with creeks, trees, camping tables and pavilions.
  • The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club sponsors a Gun & Coin show in the Coliseum annex.
  • A large carnival is held outside the Coliseum all weekend long.
  • Dances are held on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm. Friday night features rock-n-roll music, Saturday night is country music. $15 per person/$25 per couple.

Controversy about Rattlesnake Roundups

The rattlesnake roundup is controversial. Snake advocates claim that the snakes are mistreated at the round up. On the other hand, the proceeds from the roundup benefit many charities and community agencies (see list HERE). This event is also important to the Sweetwater area because of the economic impact of tourism. You will need to decide for yourself if this is a worthy family activity.

I do know that the snakes are captured, milked, displayed, killed, skinned and their meat is cooked or sold. Last year the gall bladders were also sold. The skins are cleaned and sold. The heads are mounted and sold. No part of the snake is wasted, as best as I can determine. If we do it to cows, sheep and goats, I do not see a problem with doing it to snakes.

RV Parks in Sweetwater Area

RV parks in Sweetwater, Texas area

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Feb 10 2008

Posted by CyberCelt under Birding, Campground Reviews, Camping, Camping, Day Trips, Fish/Hunt, Hike/Bike/Run, Nature, RV Parks, RV Travel, Wildlife Watching

Buescher State Park Trip

Small fishing lake in Buescher State Park

Buescher State Park Fishing Lake (photograph by Eileen Trainor, all rights reserved).

We spent a restful weekend at Buescher State Park outside of Smithville, Texas. This park has a recreation hall, amphitheater, residences and walkways built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1920s. There are screened shelters and cabins situated on the 25-acre fishing lake.

I noticed the walk-in camping sites were ideally situated in a clearing in the middle of the forest. The walk-in was not a long hike either.  The facilities included two playgrounds for children.  Dogs are not allowed in any of the park facilities and must be on a 6-foot leash in the camp ground.

I am going to share RV sites because some of these sites were really short, maybe 20-22 feet. In the Oak Haven multipurpose camping area, sites 16-19, 22 and 28 are the only sites that have space for travel trailers and RVs. The Cozy Circle camping area is designated for RV and travel trailers, but sites 1-4 are not shady nor private, and do not have enough parking space for your car. Site 5 is a beautiful handicapped-accessible site right across from the bathroom that has handicapped-accessible facilities. Sites 6 and 7 are okay, but awkward to back into. Sites 8 and 9 are too short (<15 feet). Sites 10-14 are the most roomy, shaded and private spots.

Lost Pines Hiking Trail

Antioch Historic Roadway on Lost Pines Hiking Trail
(photograph by Eileen Trainor, all rights reserved).

We hiked about 5 miles total on the Lost Pines hiking trail, which was not as scenic as I was expecting. The walk through the woods was shady and full of wildlife and birds, but there was a long walk on the right-of-way in the sun. We turned back at the Antioch Historic Roadway and retraced our steps. We were so hot and tired, we just crawled in bed and passed out, including our dog, Rags.

Scenic overlook on PR 1C

Colorado River Valley from Park Road 1C
(photograph by Eileen Trainor, all rights reserved).

We drove just a few miles out Park Road 1C from Buescher SP towards Bastrop SP. There is a turn out where you may overlook the Colorado River Valley.

Another RV park in area:

I picked up a brochure for Toad Hollow RV Park & Campground (art & antiques, too).  They are located on 12 acres on Alum Creek and have nine RV spots, one vacation cabin, a tipi and camping sites.  There is a Toad Hollow Pond on the property. The phone number is 512 237 5969.  The address is 115 Fishers of Men, Smithville, TX 78957.

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Feb 05 2008

Posted by CyberCelt under Birding, Cabins/Cottages, Camping, Day Trips, Fish/Hunt, Golf, Hike/Bike/Run, Nature, RV Travel, Skywatching, Wildlife Watching

Lost Pines of Texas

Bastrop and Buescher State Parks lie within the Post Oak Savannah, a mix of pine, oak, grasslands and mixed flowering plants. This diverse environment shelters wildlife including the pileated woodpecker and the endangered Houston toad.

Check the event schedule for interpretive activities including historic tours of the CCC structures, evening presentations and guided nature hikes.

Bastrop State Park-Historic CCC-built native rock cabins, lodges, freshwater swimming pool and bathhouse. Lake Bastrop offers boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing. Camp amongst the pine trees or tee off at one of the most scenic 18-hole golf courses in Central Texas. Dogs and people love the sandy, shady 7-mile long Lost Pines Trail or one of several shorter trails.

Scenic Drive-Experienced bike riders will enjoy Park Road 1C between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. You may also drive this scenic route through the Lost Pines, a remnant of an extensive pine-oak forest covering much of Central Texas during the last ice age.

Beuscher State Park-Land contained in the original Stephen F. Austin’s grant offers historical sites found with GPS. Watch wildlife and 250 species of birds. Stocked fishing lake with non-motorized boating. Beuscher Hiking Trail is a 7.7-mile trail that follows Park Road 1C towards Bastrop SP. The easy trail is covered in pine needles and shaded most of the trail.

Accommodations include primitive camping, cabins, lodges, RV spots and campsites. You may reserve through the ReserveAmerica system or contact the parks directly.

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Dec 19 2007

Posted by CyberCelt under Beach, Camping, Camping, Family Fun, Fish/Hunt, Golf, Hike/Bike/Run, RV Parks

Medina Lake Time Again

We are planning to spend Friday this week to Friday next week at Medina Lake. The weather is so pretty down here in Texas and I can not think of where I would rather be for Christmas.

our camping spot on Medina LakeOur Camping Spot
Photograph by Eileen Trainor, all rights reserved

Medina Lake is full to the brim and incredibly clear. Below is a picture of the view from the campsite above. The river is glass and the reflection of the far shore is perfectly mirrored in the water.

view across Medina Lak

Crystal Clear Medina Lake
Photograph by Eileen Trainor, all rights reserved

Of course, my favorite pastime is feeding the deer. Look at the little fawn below. He looked just days old when we first saw him. By the end of our last trip, he was eating out of our hands.

Lake Medina deerDeer at Medina Lake

Photograph by Eileen Trainor, all rights reserved

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