Texas RV Travel blog

While looking around for new information on Port Aransas (last post), I happened to check the website of the University of Texas Marine Science Institute.  What a wonderful place.  Next time we visit Port A, we are going to the Visitor’s Center.  Now, if I can get Michael into the idea of Elderhostel, I will be on that barge trip next January.

University of Texas Marine Science Institute

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) Visitor’s Center has seven aquaria that depict Texas coastal habitats and the organisms that live in them, including Spartina, black mangrove marsh, oyster reef, open bay bottom, rock jetty and offshore artificial reefs.

The planned Wetlands Education Center, known as Windows to the Sea, will occupy over three acres next to the UTMSI Visitors Center and the South Jetty. A marshland pond, planted with sea grasses and surrounded by coastal vegetation, fed by water from the Aransas Pass Ship Channel, will serve as an outdoor exhibit demonstrating the power of wetlands. Visitors may view migratory waterfowl and resident marsh birds from a surrounding boardwalk. Guided tours will penetrate the wetlands on interior boardwalks.

UTMSI sponsors an exciting Elderhostel Adventures Afloat program each January beginning in Galveston. The beautiful hotel barge, R/B River Explorer, navigates the intracoastal waterway through salt marshes including the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, ending in Port Isabel on the southern tip of Texas. Elderhostel programs from November through mid-April include a field trip to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to observe and study the endangered whooping cranes. The programs held in Brownsville and McAllen specialize in birding.

Teacher workshops and summer programs at UTSMI are aimed at upgrading the proficiency of classroom teachers at all levels by the introduction of marine science topics and techniques into the curriculum of all subjects, from science to art and history.

Summer camps for kids are learning experiences about science on such topics as:  about bays and beaches; seaweed, sea grasses and salt marshes; life as an oceanographer; sea creatures adaptation and ecology.

During the school year, visiting classes are taken board the R/V KATY to develop an understanding of the marine environment through measurement, observation and sampling.

Visit the website Science and the Sea for an understanding of the sea and its myriad life forms. Or the educational and Interactive Beach Debris website.

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Port Aransas

Port Aransas is an island paradise tucked away on the Gulf Coast, reached by car ferry from Aransas Pass or by driving up Mustang Island from Corpus Christi. Port Aransas is the only town on Mustang Island and inhabits 8 miles of the 18-mile long barrier island. Everything moves on Island Time in Port Aransas, so relax and enjoy all that this Texas treasure has to offer.

The bays, jetties and deep Gulf waters offer the finest fishing around. Take an excursion for sport fishing, spearfishing or scuba diving. Grab the Jetty Boat to St. Jo Island for a few hours or the day. Sign up for a sunset cruise, a gambling or a dolphin encounter.

Visit the Fennessey Ranch, 4,000 acres of wetlands, meadows and natural lakes for discovery and photography. More than 500 species of birds visit annually, making Port A one of the most popular birding destinations in Texas.

Rent a bike or electric buggie to zip around the town. Kayak, kite board or surf. Build a sandcastle or just lay back and relax the temperate climate. Remember, you are on island time.

RVers will love Port Aransas. Some of the RV parks in Port A are right on the beach. Others are located inland within walking distance to restaurants or on the trolley route. Some offer amenities like pools, wi-fi and cable.

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You may view and walk upon dinosaur tracks in many areas of Texas.

Austin

I will never forget when I was walking to class at University of Texas-Austin and stumbled upon this old building that housed an entire dinosaur trackway from the Paluxy River. These tracks are famous because they depict the tracking of a plant eating dinosaur by a meat eating dinosaur. These tracks are impressive and are currently undergoing restoration.

Big Bend

Many bones and fossils have been found in Big Bend. I am going to research it and put it together as a separate post.

Blanco River

Outside of Blanco Texas in the Blanco River, you will see sauropod tracks. Read this post for more information: Have You Ever Seen Sauropod Tracks.

Boerne

The Boerne Lake Spillway has been made off limits to visitors. You may see casts of these tracks at the Cibilo Nature Center.

Canyon Lake

Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country has the most dinosaur tracks in Texas. These tracks were made formed in the upper part of the Glen Rose Formation, approximately 100 million years ago.

Canyon Lake Gorge

The Canyon Lake Gorge was created by floodwaters that escaped over the Canyon Lake Spillway during the Flood Event of 2002. A group of paleontologists from the University of Texas–Austin are “documenting fossil invertebrate fauna” within the Glen Rose formation exposed by the Gorge. “One especially fossiliferous unit has yielded specimens representing at least 60 species of 40 genera.” These fossils will be exhibited in the new Canyon Gorge visitor’s center. I have heard that there are dinosaur tracks, but cannot find any mention of them on the Canyon Lake Gorge site.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

The Paluxy River is one of the more scenic tributaries of the Brazos River and widely known for the dinosaur tracks exposed at various places in its streambed. Some of the tracks were collected and placed on exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York; other tracks collected nearby were put on exhibit at the Texas Memorial Museum in Austin. Luckily, there are many left to view!

Dinosaur Valley State Park contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The tracks are located in the Paluxy River, so call to make sure they are visible: 254/897-4588 The park’s Interpretive Center features a section of these sauropod and carnosaur (meat-eating dinosaur) tracks.

Facilities at the park include campsites with water and electric hookups, a picnic table, fire ring and/or grill; restrooms with showers. Backpack campsites are 1 to 2.5 mile hike in the North Primitive area (no restrooms in the area, water is available at the trail head); Day use only horseback riding is allowed in the South Equestrian Area; There are 12 miles of hike and bike trails. The area hosts many species of both resident and migrant birds including the endangered Golden-Cheek Warbler and the Black-Capped Vireo along with wildturkeys.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Dinosaur Roundup will be on display June 7 through September 27, 2008 on the first floor of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the temporary home of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History while a new facility is built. Explore Lone Star Dinosaurs online.

Houston Museum of Natural Science Hall of Paleontology

The Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Hall of Paleontology contains more than 450 fossils and fossil replicas, providing a vivid glimpse into the incredible 3.5-billion year story of life on Earth. From the humble trilobite to the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, Visit their blog, BEYONDbones.

Waco Mamnoth Site

In 1978, two local residents found skeletal remains of 25 mammoths thought to have lived 68,000 years ago. Researchers believe all these mammoths died at this one place, from the same cause. The find is not available to the public, but plans for a National Park are on the table.

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Comanche Cyclone

Comanche Cyclone

Comanche, Texas
Saturday, June 7, 2008 8 am
Cross Country

300 cyclists expected

Special route for youngsters 10 and under. Country back-roads, no traffic, and very scenic. There are some scenic routes listed on the website in case you cannot make the race. This is a pretty part of Texas.

Routes

All are PDFs.

Cyclone Route Map - 10 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 22 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 28 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 42 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 55 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 75 Miles

RVers: You may want to stay at Proctor Lake (Army Corps of Engineers Park)

Mesquite Rodeo Bike Ride

You will begin your ride from Resistol Arena at Rodeo Center located at 1818 Rodeo Drive. I-635 (LBJ Freeway) exit Military Parkway/Scyene. If you are traveling southbound, continue through both signal lights to the Arena. If you’re northbound, turn left on Military Parkway, take an immediate left after the overpass at Rodeo Center Blvd.Thousands of cyclists will start out from the Mesquite Rodeo Center. Bring your family, friends and co-workers.

Mesquite Rodeo Bike Ride

Mesquite, Texas
Saturday, June 7, 2008 8 am
2000 cyclists expected.

Route Details

RVers: I would stay at the Plantation Place RV Park.

Peach Pedal Bike Ride

Peach Pedal Bike Ride
Weatherford, Texas
Saturday, July 12, 2008
2500 cyclists expected

Routes of 100K, 39 miles, 26 miles and 9 miles. This course has some tough hills. but the hills are interspersed with flat stretches. Check in advance of the state of the roads in the area. Sometimes spring floods can wash roads away.

After the ride, shuttle buses will take riders from the start/finish to the Parker County Peach Festival in downtown Weatherford, where you’ll enjoy lots of food, crafts, music and country hospitality.

RVers: Stay at the Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway. The Trailway provides opportunities for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.

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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.

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.

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