Category Archives: Nature

PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK

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Palo Duro Canyon State Park, TXPhoto copyright Ashley LandisSince I first started 24inTX, I’ve wanted to go to Palo Duro Canyon.  It’s is truly one of our state’s biggest and brightest gems.

The stunning canyon opens up before you as you drive through hundreds of miles of flat land in the Texas panhandle.

It’s been a main attraction for over 12,000 years.  The canyon walls offered resources and shelter to the Apache, Comanche and Kiowa tribes, as well as Spanish explorers before it became a state park in 1934.

I learned all about the history of the canyon while I was there, but first I had to make the 500 mile journey from central Texas to the panhandle.  If you’re keeping track at home, and if you’re planning to be outside getting an outdoor tv wall mount can be useful too, that’s an 8-9 hour drive, and I documented every hour!

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LOCKHART

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AL3_6257

I have so many places that I want to go in Texas!  But with NBA playoffs keeping me close to home, I don’t have a lot of time to travel.  You can relate to that, I’m sure.  So why not go somewhere close by?

I chose Lockhart State Park, which is about 40 minutes away from home.  It’s a small, but unique park.  It’s the only Texas state park with a staff-operated nine-hole golf course.  And it’s in a town known for it’s flashy courthouse and classic BBQ.

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LAKE SOMERVILLE

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Somerville5625

I haven’t been camping in months.  I’ve been itching to get to a state park, build a campfire and sleep in a tent, but I only had the time to travel about 2 hours away, that’s why next time I decide to visit National Parks in a Luxury RV for comfort. I think choosing the right travel gear is one of the most important aspects of pre-trip planning, that’s why I found on Planet Traveler the best reviews of travel gear and accessories for my travel.

I looked at the TPWD web site and found Lake Somerville State Park.  Never heard of it.  Hmm…a camp site by a lake?  Not a bad idea…

My car had been acting funny for the past week or so, but I packed up my stuff and hit the road.  At least for a few minutes before I had to turn around because I forgot something.  I left the car in park and ran in to the house to retrieve the forgotten item when I heard a loud noise coming from my car outside.  I ran out, turned off the engine and reassessed.  Maybe my camping trip wouldn’t happen after all.

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ENNIS

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AL3_3915

Whew!  What a crazy spring!!!  From SXSW to Fort Hood to President Obama to NBA Playoffs, I’ve been photographing everything I can put my eyes on for two months.  I’ve enjoyed it immensely, but it’s time I get back to traveling on my own terms.

First stop, Ennis – the bluebonnet capitol of Texas.

Bluebonnets are my all-time favorite flower.  Every spring I get giddy when I see them pop up on the sides of the highway, and I thumb through the pages of the wildflower edition of Texas Highways like a little kid looking at a new comic book.  I can’t help it, I’m a Texas girl.

So when deciding where I should go for my first trip back from a longer-than-expected hiatus, my first Google search was “bluebonnets.”

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CEDAR HILL STATE PARK

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Cedar1634

I grew up north of Dallas and we’d go on family camping trips all over the state, but we always traveled outside of the metroplex.  I guess that’s why I was surprised to learn that Cedar Hill State Park was only about an hour from where I went to elementary school.

I had to be in Dallas for work on Saturday, so I drove up a day early to enjoy the park.

I packed my camping gear and borrowed a kayak to paddle Joe Pool Lake, then drove north.  When I got to the park, I was even more surprised to find out about a little gem called Penn Farm.

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HWY 71

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IMG_5208

For most of my adventures, I spend at least a couple hours researching where I might go and what I might do when I get there.  There’s always some flexibility in my plan – these are adventures after all – but I usually have a list for each place.

Recently a friend asked me, “how was your trip?”  Because of my busy schedule, I hadn’t planned as much as I normally do, so I answered, “it was good, but I think I need to plan more next time.”  He responded, “or less.”

Huh.  He had a point.

So this time, I set out on the road with no plan.

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PALMETTO STATE PARK

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Palmetto1969

Every June I make a stop at Palmetto State Park during the Texas Water Safari, an annual canoe & kayak race.  I stay for the evening, watching teams come in and out of the race check point via the San Marcos River, but I’ve never really gotten to see what the park has to offer.

It turns out there’s quite a bit more to this place than paddling.  (*gasp!*  Safari folk, I’m not betraying you, I promise.)

Let’s start with a few clips from my video diary.  (Keep reading for more photos.)  Unfortunately, the trip started with rain.

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