Bastrop State Park to reopen in December

When September wildfires whipped though the plains east of Austin, more than 1,500 homes vanished. What else was lost? The famed, "Lost Pines," of Bastrop State Park. Genetically different that your average Texas pine, these loblolly pines were part of an ancient forest that has been shrinking for centuries.

The pines, like much of the of the 5,900 acre park, could not withstand the fierce firestorm that visited the area, reducing much of the park to what some describe as a moonscape. Estimates say 70% of the parks trees are gone.

Yet park officials and volunteers are not giving up.

Roads are being cleared, debris removed, and on December 1, park officials say they will begin reopening campgrounds to visitors. At the park's center, a green oasis still remains where firefighters made a stand to save 13 historical cabins.

Campers may find things somewhat challenging. Ongoing demolition and replacement of two restrooms may re-route facility users to alternative restrooms and showers that will be made available. Campers will find resealed or new roads, parking areas and RV pads being paved by the Texas Department of Transportation.

“Bastrop will soon reopen and in many ways will be like a new park,” Park Superintendent Todd McClanahan adds. “Park management asks for its customers’ continued patience as we work to restore this national landmark.”

Daingerfield State Park reopens with new RV improvements

Daingerfield State Park, northeast of Dallas is holding a "Grand Reopening" after being shut down since July for renovations. The park was originally a Civilian Conservation Corps project right out of the 1930s. Park officials say they're happy with the renovation project, which took the three original CCC buildings and put them back on their feet.

John Thomas, Daingerfield's park superintendent told the local paper, the Longview News Journal, "The neat thing about the renovations is that this is an opportunity for us to take the CCC structures, renovate them, and have an improved facility. This is putting them back into the original condition it was built for and designed back in the 1930s. The roofs on the buildings are made from wooden cedar shake, like the ones in 1938."

Other improvements include bringing the park's fishing lodge up to ADA compliance to make it accessible for those with disabilities. But of particular interest to RVers are the addition of 30 new full hookup sites, and the addition of sewer hookups to 20 other existing sites. What do folks do at Daingerfield? Try picnicking, camping, slow-speed boating (5 MPH limit), fishing, swimming, hiking, and nature study. A seasonal concession (March - October) rents pedal boats and canoes.

photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife. Map: wikipedia.org

Prehistoric "app"? Here's one for Dinosaur Valley State Park

Looking to view dinosaur tracks? If you're a fossil fool, then Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose, Texas is your bet. It's also a good bet for hitting the swimming hole, or dipping a line. Those dino-tracks are in the Paluxy, a branch of the Brazos River, and the best time to view them is in late summer.

While you've got your map out and setting plans for Texas, add this to your tool kit: The park now sports on official "app" for your iPhone or Android platform. Using the app will be like having a personal guide for real-time tours at any time. "One of the current problems we face at our park is that our interpretive displays are somewhat outdated, and our staff is just too limited to offer enough tours to meet all of the public demand," said Shannon Blalock, superintendent at Dinosaur Valley State Park. With the dino-app, those problems are--well--as historic as the dinosaurs.

The app will give users up-to-date video and audio clips (shades of Jurassic Park!), photographs, and data right at their fingertips. Once the free app is downloaded to a mobile device, visitors at the park are alerted to various points of interest as they approach by a phone vibration triggered by the hardware's GPS. Users can then click through for detailed information, clips and other options highlighting a specific park feature.

To get the free app, simply search your smartphone's app store and type in "Dinosaur Valley State Park," or "Glen Rose," and download to your device. If you don't have a smartphone, content is still available online, and can be used to help plan people's trip in advance to the state park.

To celebrate the new app's release, on Saturday, October 15 the park will sponsor an "app launch party" complete with "Dino Digs" and activities. Through the month you can enter to win a free iPad2 that the local visitor bureau is using as bait for dinosaur enthusiasts. Through October 31, registration entries can be dropped off on site at the Friends of Dinosaur Valley State Park Store inside the park, or go to the Glen Rose CVB Web site at www.glenrosetexas.net.

photo courtesy Glen Kuban, www.paleo.cc

Fall means fishing, camping in Texas State Parks

With cooler weather just around the corner and cabin fever taking its toll on those of the outdoor persuasion, people are ready to start enjoying the outdoors again. In North Texas, Meridian and Cleburne State Parks offer fishing opportunities close to home with excellent hiking and camping opportunities as well.

Both these lakes have ample shoreline access for those who prefer to relax on dry ground while waiting for a bite. If you have a boat to float, both parks have boat ramps. (With drought conditions being what they are, call ahead to make sure the boat ramp is useable.) These lakes are “no-wake lakes,” so boats with outboard motors may only idle while moving from spot to spot. This rule, however, makes these lakes ideal for paddle-powered crafts, so bring your canoe or kayak.

Meridian State Park’s 505 acres are located about three miles southwest of the city of Meridian off State Highway 22. The park is scenic and heavily wooded with many campsites. On weekends with good weather, the park can be a popular place, so call (512) 389-8900 to make reservations if you plan on camping.

You can also just access the park for the day and take advantage of a surprisingly diverse fishery. The 50-acre lake is surrounded by campsites on the lower end. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has placed large piles of brush within casting distance of some of the more accessible shoreline areas in order to improve angling opportunity and provide valuable fish habitat within the lake. Bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish can be targeted and anglers will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of bluegill, redear, longear and redbreast sunfish. Nightcrawlers (earthworms) or crickets under a bobber on light tackle can set your kids up for some fast-paced fishing.

Cleburne State Park, 528-acres, is located 10 miles southwest of the city of Cleburne on Park Road 21. It offers a 107-acre lake populated by bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish. TPWD has placed multiple brush piles in this lake as well. Many of these are within easy casting distance from the shoreline. Bring your bikes and challenge yourself on the 5.5-mile mountain bike trail if you’re not worn out from catching fish.

You can fish without a license in lakes totally enclosed with a state park. However, it is important to remember that length, bag limits and other regulations still apply. Park entrance fees must be paid in order to gain access to the lakes. Both Meridian and Cleburne State Parks charge $5 per day per person 13 and older; children 12 and under are free.