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

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 . . .

The Texas Water Safari, which was postponed in June because of the flooding of the lower Guadalupe River has been rescheduled to July 10. If another rain event occurs, the race will be postponed to July 24. If the river is flooding on July 24, the 2010 Texas Water Safari will not be rescheduled.

Photograph from Texas Water Safari website–all right reserved.

Texas Water Safari,
the world’s toughest canoe race:
260 Miles, 100 Hours, July in Texas

Since 1963, thousands of canoeists have started the 260+ mile race. The course of the Texas Water Safari (TWS) begins in the headwaters of the San Marcos River, flows past the confluence of the San Marcos and Blanco Rivers to the convergence of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers, and then follows the length of the Guadalupe River to the Gulf coast.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Kissimmee Tourism. All opinions are 100% mine.

Kissimmee

Most people think of Orlando when they plan their trip to Disney World and Epcot Center. However, Kissimmee is just minutes south of the city of Orlando and the Orlando International Airport.

Kissimmee is close to all of the central Florida attractions and the price of accommodations  and meals in Kissimmee are less expensive than those at the Disney resorts.

I would love to stay at Tropical Fun RV Park in our travel trailer.  In addition to RV sites, Tropical Fun RV Park offers home rentals and furnished vacation cottages. Amenities include a heated outdoor pool, kiddie pool, playground, volleyball court, basketball court, shuffleboard courts, nine-hole mini-golf course, a nature area and biking and walking trails.

Activities

There are enough activities to keep you busy at the RV park for a day or two, but you must explore the surrounding area.

Spend at least one day at the Alligator Chain of Lakes.  Kissimmee and the nearby towns of St. Cloud and Celebration have lake front parks to explore.

For some excitement, take an airboat ride, hot air balloon trip or whiz through the trees on a zipline. All of these modes of transportation will allow you to see the real Florida.

Take a trip back in time by spending an afternoon or evening in Old Town (just down the street from Tropical Palms) and enjoy the classic car parades, rock n’ roll music, thrill rides and boardwalk.  This is a great place to purchase souvenirs.

Do not forget to save one or more day to explore Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Animal Kingdom® or Disney’s Hollywood Studios™.

There are freshwater springs at Silver Spring State Park and Blue Spring State Park. If you have time, do not miss the mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

You might also want to visit the beaches of the Gulf Coast or the Atlantic shore or the Kennedy Space Center.

I have just touched on the many activities, parks and events in and around Kissimmee.  Below is a sample itinerary to try and put things in perspective.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 – Check into RV park or hotel, go swimming and pick up maps and literature.  Purchase tickets for Disney parks you wish to visit.

Day 2 – Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the day at one of the chain of lakes.  Look into making reservations for a boat ride, balloon ride or zipline experience for the next day

Day 3 – Boat ride, balloon ride or zipline.  Visit Old Town in the afternoon/evening.

Day 4 – Disney

Day 5 – Disney

Day 6 – Visit Weeki Wachee Spring State Park. Take your swimsuit and enjoy Buccaneer Bay water park, located right next door to Weeki Wachee SP. Drop off your film to be developed on the way home.

Day 7 – Relax, pack and pick up your photographs.  Return home.