Category Archives: State Park

GOLIAD

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It’s 2014 and I’m back to adventuring!

Santa brought me a new tent and some camping gear for Christmas, and I couldn’t wait to try them out.  As soon as the temperature rose above 65 degrees, I hit the road to Goliad State Park.

The town of Goliad is important in Texas history.  It was a key location during the Texas fight for independence.

The Mission Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga and the Presidio La Bahia, which protected the mission, were sites of bloody skirmishes, and they still stand today in and near the state park. Read more →

BUESCHER STATE PARK

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It’s that special time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas when the To Do lists pile up with gift shopping, meal preparing, house cleaning, party planning, seeing family and friends, traveling, eating and generally stressing.

When I go “home” for the holidays, I exhaust myself trying to see as many people and do as many things as I possibly can.  That was the case during the Thanksgiving holiday and I came back feeling completely overwhelmed.

Fortunately central Texas heated up for a few days, just long enough for me to have an escape to Buescher State Park near Smithville, TX.

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PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK

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Pedernales Falls State Park is fairly close to home for me, but the short drive doesn’t make it any less spectacular.

The main attraction at the park is, of course, Pedernales Falls.  It’s a massive area in the Pedernales River that’s packed with giant boulders, pools and rushing water, and it’s all accessible to the public.

I’ll tell you more about that in a minute.  First, if you’ve been following this blog, you’ve probably thought, “I wonder how Ashley sets up camp.”  Well you’re in luck!  I have the Readers’ Digest version right here…

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BALMORHEA STATE PARK

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It’s a true oasis in the middle of the west Texas desert.

When planning my trip out to west, I had a whole list of places I wanted to go.  Balmorhea wasn’t one of them.

I looked at the map, studying small towns along I-10 on the way to Marfa.  I saw Fort Davis and Fort Stockton and a few others on my wish list, but then I saw Balmorhea State Park.

Hmm…how do you even pronounce that?  I looked it up on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department web site and, much to my surprise, Balmorhea moved up to the top of my list.

It’s a tiny town about an hour north of Marfa in west Texas.  It’s in the middle of the desert, surrounded by mountains, and home to San Solomon Springs and the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool.  (Among other surprises.)

Balmorhea is the perfect place to make a refreshing stop for the night on your way to or from Big Bend Ranch State Park or Big Bend National Park.

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CADDO LAKE

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East Texas swamp beauty.  No, really!

I’ve always thought of east Texas as a humid, mosquito-infested, muddy swamp full of frogs.  I’ve never been a fan of frogs, with the exception of Kermit (of course).  I live in constant fear that they will jump on me and that their slimy skin will touch mine.  It’s irrational, I know, but I was willing to set aside my fear, think of Kermit and travel to Caddo Lake in east Texas.

I arrived at Caddo Lake State Park late in the afternoon on a Tuesday and had the place to myself.

The park has several options for accommodations.  I rented a two-person cabin that was very comfortable and clean, perfect if you’re not a big camper or you plan to spend time in a Texas state park in August, or if you live in constant fear of frogs.

After unloading the car, I took a drive around the park with my camera to see what there was to see.  This was my first view of the lake.  What a beauty!

Caddo 5093 Read more →

ENCHANTED ROCK STATE NATURAL AREA

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(This was my first 24-hour get-away trip.  Originally posted here on June 21, 2013.)

I love you guys, but sometimes a girl just needs a break.

Since Feb. 1, 2013, I’ve shot 8 UIL state championship tournaments, Texas Relays, SXSW, 2 weddings, the Texas Water Safari, 10 business profiles, and over 100 editorial assignments.   I’ve been to New Mexico, Chicago, Dallas (multiple times) and various locations all over Texas.  I’m not even going to try to estimate the number of times I’ve clicked the shutter in the past 140 days.

Saying I’ve been busy is a bit of an understatement.  So when summer finally came and I had a few empty days on the calendar, you can understand why I might want to escape.

On Tuesday I packed up and drove to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area all by myself. Read more →