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Texas Outdoor Family Workshops

June 3rd, 2011

Whenever I travel outside our state I’m barraged by the same old questions: “Do y’all still ride horses down there?” or “Isn’t it all deserts and cactus where you’re from?” Of course we here in Texas, know nothing could be further from the truth. In fact we’ve got everything from woods and forests to sandy coast lines to lakes, prairies, rolling hills and plains. And in our state, we’re blessed with a great park system in which we can experience the countryside. I know of no better way to break the old stereotypes about Texas, than to visit a few of our parks and see for oneself how beautiful and diverse our state’s typography really is.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has an interesting summer program going. It’s called the Texas Outdoor Family workshop (TOF). It’s essentially a way to promote the state park system, and get our young people outdoors. For sixty five dollars per family, a park ranger provides instruction to families and young people on things like: how to set up and break down a camp site, start a camp fire, cook outdoors, and participate in any number of nature activities. Events like fishing, kayaking and wildlife watchingare part of the program as well, where conditions exist.The park furnishes the necessary equipment to those who require it. Children as young as two are permitted, but five is recommended as the minimum age. Six campers per site are permitted.

The program is running throughout the summer, and new dates are being added regularly. In our immediate area, Tyler State Park is holding a workshop Saturday, June 4th. On the same weekend Eisenhower State Park, in Dallas will be holding their own version of the program as will Guadalupe River State Park, in San Antonio. More Events are scheduled for June 11th, including at one of my favorite Texas Parks, Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose. For more info on the workshop visit the following website at http://beta-www.tpwd.state.tx.us/outdoor-learning/texas-outdoor-family/ . Interested readers can also call the state office at (512) 389-8903.

The Historic Texas State Railroad

June 28th, 2010

Like all Elementary and Jr. High school students before and after me, I recall eagerly looking forward to the summer break. For my brothers and me, one event that marked the end of the school year and the start of summer was an annual trip to Rusk to ride the trains.

The event was a pretty full day back then, or at least that’s how I remember it. We traveled through the East Texas county side in an old wooden passenger car and watched as the Piney Woods whisked pass the window. It’s odd the connections the mind makes.

The things I most vividly recall about those rail-road rides are the mundane things, sitting next to the rough wood window sill of the car; the sun shining through every break in the trees and burning my arm, the old wooden floors of the car, even buying cokes and concessions at the bar car.

By the end of the day, I was usually so hot and tired that staying awake on the bus ride home became impossible. The Texas State Railroad (TSRR) was established in 1881 by the state prison system and the rail lines themselves were laid by the inmates.

The line was completed in 1909 and has been operated by different groups throughout its succeeding history. Control of the Railroad was given to the Texas Parks and Wildlife department in 1972 and designated a historical park.

In 2007 private management was assigned although the line remains an historical state park. Riding the train is like stepping back into another time. The cars are well maintained to the period so it’s an opportunity to experience and interact with a piece of history.

The railroad line is offering several semi-regular semi-seasonal excursions. They include the Pineywoods Excursion, the Dogwood Excursions, the Jarvis Wye Special and the Maydelle Turntable Special. In addition to these regular outings there are also seasonal programs geared to families and children.

They are as follows: the Polar Express, the Lone Ranger Rides Again, Day Out with Thomas, (which, judging by the name my son would love this one), the Little Engine that could Rail Tour, the Great Pumpkin is Coming! Pumpkin Patch Express, The Peanuts Valentine Express, The Peanuts Easter Beagle Express and the TSRR Dinner trains (which is for grown- ups only).

The aspect of the Parks / Rail- lines that most interests me most are the Campgrounds located in both Rusk and Palestine. The parks offer visitors the unique opportunity to camp on the railroad grounds. The Rusk park in particular is well developed and offers a variety of activities, including fishing and swimming.

The campsites have power and water, as well as picnic areas and outdoor grills. Restrooms and showers are available for guests as are full hook-ups and dump stations for RV campers. The park in Palestine is somewhat more primitive, but still worthy of some investigation.

For information on scheduled events or campgrounds etc. visit the TSRR web-page at www.texasstaterr.com, or call toll free 1-888-987-2461, to make reservations.