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Jaarlijkse Rattlesnake Verzameling

Maart 9 6-maart, 2008
De Provincie Coliseum van Nolan
Sweetwater, Texas

Rattlesnake Feiten

Westelijke Diamondback rattler kan zeven voet in lengte overschrijden en is grootst van soorten 20+ en ondersoorten van Zuidwestelijke woestijnrattlers. Rattlers behoort tot een klasse van soorten 100+ van de giftige adders van de slangen over het algemeen geroepen kuil.

Rattlesnakes kunnen anders een probleem zijn aan ranchers, jagers, kampeerauto's, wandelaars en iedereen wie van wil in openlucht genieten. Om deze reden, rattlesnake om UPS als manier begon om de rattlesnake bevolking te selecteren.

Rattlesnake van Sweetwater Verzameling

De officiële schop weg aan de Rattlesnake Verzameling is de Rattlesnake Parade van het Overzicht, hield Donderdag, 06 Maart, 2008. Dit wordt gevolgd door de Misser Snake Charmer Pageant hield in het Gemeentelijke Auditorium Sweetwater.

De daadwerkelijke verzameling begint met Vrijdag, 7 Maart, en bij de Nolan Provincie Coliseum en het park naast coliseum gehouden.

Voor Vrijdag, Zaterdag en Zondag, begeleiden de ervaren slangjagers groepen uit geregistreerde jagers om in de jacht en het overhandigen van levende rattlesnakes bij te wonen. Vereiste registratie, vergunning en prijs.

• Als u geen rattlesnakes wilt jagen, gaan de geleide busreizen periodiek door de dag om te bekijken, film of foto levende rattlesnakes in hun natuurlijke habitat weg.
• U kunt op rattlesnakes letten wegend, metend, melkend en behandelend. Als u dit wenst, kunt u levende rattlesnake raken of een stuk van gefrituurde rattlesnake eten. Andere snacks zijn eveneens beschikbaar.
• Er zijn slangproducten en andere ambachten beschikbaar voor verkoop in coliseum en bij cabines in Park Newman tijdens het weekend.
• Rattlesnake Cook-off van de Verzameling wordt gehouden Zaterdag slechts in Newman Park, een park van de 25 acrestad met kreken, bomen, het kamperen lijsten en pavilions.
• De club van het Geweer Sweetwater & van het Pistool sponsort een Kanon & toont het Muntstuk in de bijlage Coliseum.
• 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

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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.

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.

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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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.

• Right click to download PDF of hiking trails from TPWD website
• Visit TexasHiking.com page on Bastrop SP
• Visit TexasHiking page on Beuscher State Park
• Stargaze the skies above Bastrop State Parks

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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There are some places in Texas that you should only go with your loved one. Special places of the heart where you will be treated like royalty and every hedonist impulse of yours will be indulged. This article is just an esoteric collection of romantic inns and lodges that have luxurious accommodations and offer spa services. Explore a little.

Ye Kendall Inn is a Texas and a National Landmark located on the banks of Cibolo Creek at 128 Blanco in Boerne, Texas. Dine at the renowned Limestone Grille, relax at Tavern 128 or enjoy the Hill Country AVEDA Spa. Walk to the town shops and eateries. They have 36 unique rooms, suites and cottages. Call (830) 249-2138 for reservations.

Barons CreekSide - Revel in the nature creekside at 316 Goehmann Lane in Fredericksburg, Texas. Choose from a farmhouse, chalet, log cabins (including 250 year old Swiss one) or the lodge. Indulge at the Living Touch SPA, offering bodyshaping, reflexology, aromatherapy, pain relief therapy. Call (830) 990-4048 to make reservations.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa is located at 8212 Barton Club Drive in Austin, Texas. The resort and spa are nestled in 4,000 secluded acres of rolling hills and provides the ultimate luxurious experience. Stunning Hill Country views greet each guest of the 303 guest rooms and suites. Be pampered in a full-service spa and salon, golf on one of four championship golf courses. Call 866-572-7369 or 512-329-4000 for reservations.

Crystal River Inn Bed and Breakfast is a romantic getaway in the middle of San Marcos that offers custom-designed romance packages that may include champagne, chocolates, flowers, bath baskets, breakfast in bed, fireside picnics, horse-drawn carriages, limousine rides, massages, candles or hot-air ballooning. Call for details 1-888-396-3739.

San Gabriel River Inn is located in a beautiful rural setting of Bertram, Texas. Enjoy total privacy, so condusive to relaxation. Walk along the river, fish in the pond or stargaze from your private hot tub. For more information, call 512-355-2102 or 512-335-8335.

Moody Gardens Hotel and Spa at Seven Hope Boulevard in Galveston, Texas, is a wonderful place to escape for a romantic rendezvous. Package includes a jacuzzi suite and breakfast in bed. A bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and a rose are delivered upon arrival. The spa indulgent package includes a luxurious room for two. champagne and a gourmet cheese and fruit tray upon arrival. Relax with a couples massage in exclusive spa suite. Call (409) 741-8484 or (888) 388-8484 for more packages.

Blisswood at Lehmann Legacy Ranch in Cat Spring, Texas is a 650-acre ranch with bicycling, birding, Bass fishing, horseback riding, massage, golf, hot air ballooning or just relaxing. Choose from 12 individual cabins and farmhouses, including the Enchanted Cabin, nestled in thick woods near Enchanted Lake. Reserve your space in this magical setting at 713-301-3235.

If you would like to have other ideas for what to do on St. Valentine’s Day, please view these posts on Texas RV Travel Blog

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Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas is a world-class birding spot. Follow the path of the Rio Grande River, from resacas to riverine woodlands, from arid chaparral to coastal prairie to coastal wetlands (west to east), and from temperate farmlands to subtropical climes (north to south).

The Mississippi and the Central flyways, join in the spring and diverge in the fall just north of the RGV. These flyways serve as a funnel for all types of feathered visitors into the avian wonderland that is the Rio Grande Valley.

Click to read article about birding in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) by seasons.

The World Birding Center

Over 10,000 acres are planned to become part of the WBC, helping to protect native habitat while increasing the understanding and appreciation of the birds and wildlife.

Currently, The World Birding Center is a network of nine sites strung along 120 miles of road from South Padre Island to Roma, Texas. The habitats are as diverse as the sites, which makes this the richest birding area north of the border.

• Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park-762 acres of wilderness and headquarters of WBC
• Edinburg Scenic Wetlands-oasis for water-loving birds and butterflies
• Estero Llano Grande State Park-almost 200 acres of wetlands
• Harlingen Arroyo Colorado-55 acres of Texas Ebony woodlands meet 40 acres of mixed upland thorn forest
• Old Hidalgo Pumphouse-historic museum planted with hummingbird gardens
• Quinta Mazatlan-historic Spanish Revival adobe hacienda surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and native woodlands
• Resaca de la Palma State Park-1700 semi- tropical acres
• Roma Bluffs-riverside nature area of three acres is part of a national historic district
• South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center-50 acres of dune meadows, salt marsh and intertidal flats, thickets of native shrubs and trees

For birding checklists for each of the sites above, please visit the WBC.

Tags: world birding center, rio grande valley, birding, central flyway

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