RVing at Goose Island State Park is one of my favorite Texas State Parks.

This Texas Park has 321 acres surrounded by St Charles and Arkansas Bays.

This Park has everything for the RVer. Camping sites have water and

electricity only. Some sites are on the water while most are in the heavily

tree shaded areas. There are restrooms, some with showers and there is also

a dump area for your Rv. This Texas Park has some of the best fishing in

Texas, red snapper, speckled trout, sand trout and flounder are just a few.

They have a 1620 foot lighted fishing pier with 2 fish cleaning tables.

Doesn’t this want to make you get your fishing gear together and start rving

to Goose Island?

Texas Goose Island Park is home to the “Big Tree”. This giant live oak is

one of the most famous trees in the world. It is more than 35 feet in

circumference, 44 feet high and has a crown spread of more than 89 feet. The

Texas Forest Service estimates the giant oak to be more than 1000 years old.

The Texas Live Oak is said to have been a council tree for the Carancahua

Indians and the white men who came after them.

On your rving adventures you must visit Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

which was established in 1937 to protect the vanishing wildlife of Texas.

The Refuge is constantly changing due to erosion of land made by the waters

and hurricanes along the Texas Gulf Coast. This refuge is 54,829 acres on

the Blackjack Peninsula. It got its name from the many Blackjack Oaks. This

peninsula is surrounded by tidal marshes and long narrow ponds. This area is

home to the cranes, deer, alligators and many other species of wildlife.

This Texas Refuge is home to the endangered whooping cranes. In 1941 there

were around 15 whooping cranes and now due to the protection of the Refuge

there are over 250 at present. For a closer look, commercially operated

boats depart from Rockport to the refuge. Whooping Cranes can be seen from

late October until mid April. The rest of the year they are in Canada.

Sometimes you can see the whooping cranes from the fishing pier at Goose

Island State Park.

Another must see is the Fulton Mansion in Fulton. This historical home was

built in the 1800’s. It was started in 1874 and completed in 1877. This

home has beautiful ornate trim work and furnishings. You will be surprised

by the conveniences that the Fulton Mansion has for that era, modern plumbing,

central heat and a gas lighting system.

Rving in Texas has endless possibilities. Goose Island State Park is only

the tip of the iceberg so lets’ start rving.

As the third largest city in Texas, Dallas attracts a diverse array of visitors every year - from Yankees hoping to get a dose of Southern culture to world businessmen attending conferences in the city. In fact, a large proportion of people who pass through Dallas belong to the latter category, but the transient nature of business trips means that not many get to see the attractions the city has to offer. However, even if you’re only in Dallas for a couple of days, it’s certainly possible to fit in some sightseeing, whether you’re in between meetings or relaxing after a packed conference agenda.

Dallas is well known as the city in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and many visitors to the city make it a point to head towards Elm Street, the site of the shooting, to pay their respects. However, explore Dallas’ streets a little more and you’ll see that the city is replete with a vibrant museum and arts scene that many cities in Texas lack in such abundance. JFK conspiracy theorists should pay a visit to The Conspiracy Museum or the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Alternatively, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Meadows Museum of Art are central attractions for art lovers in the city.

Moreover, Dallas is home to a number of botanical and zoological attractions that children and adults alike will adore. If you’re taking in the sights of Dallas on a business trip, you might not have time to discover the 97-acre zoo in south Dallas, home to over 8000 animals. But it’s likely you’ll have time to visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, as well as the Dallas World Aquarium, which houses a unique recreation of the canopy level of a rainforest.

If you love sports, pay a trip to the home grounds of Dallas’ most popular sports teams - the Dallas Desperados (AFL), Dallas Stars (NHL) and the Dallas Mavericks (NBA). And, if you’re able to find the space in your schedule, a short trip outside Dallas to Irving will reveal the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, while Arlington claims Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers as its own.

Of course, no trip to Dallas would be complete without sampling an authentic taste of its distinctive local cuisine. A mix of traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex, Dallas’ most famous culinary delight is probably the frozen margarita. Food aficionados should take a trip to McKinney Avenue or the West Village to enjoy the city’s best restaurants and dining establishments.

People hoping to find accommodation in the business heart of Dallas will find a range of places to stay in downtown Dallas, as well as a variety of hotels in Plano, Dallas, a suburb that is home to some of the city’s most high profile company headquarters, including JC Penney, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages and Cinemark Theatres. Furthermore, Plano is part of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system, so anyone staying in Plano will be able to take advantage of fast links into the city centre.

So whether you’re on a short stay in Dallas on your own, or your family are keen to accompany you on your latest business trip, you can rest assured that Dallas is a city with much to offer.

Texas is a very common state for avid deer hunters because of the number available to hunt as well as the size of them. Both white tail deer and mule deer can be found in many locations throughout Texas. Out of state individuals are often disappointed at the number of them allowed to hunt there though. This is because Texas residents rank second in the Nation for the number who hunt in their state.

In order to get around this many out of state people pursue Texas deer hunting with private land owners. They allow individuals to hunt on their land for a set price. Most Texas residents access the various wildlife areas and parks to hunt deer. In the state of Texas a license to hunt deer is required or you can face fines and jail time for violating the laws. Since Texas is such a large state for hunting these fines and jail terms are very strictly enforced. Even those offering their land for Texas deer hunting have to have a valid license to do so.

Individuals have the chance to hunt deer in Texas in a variety of ways. They can set up their own adventure by themselves or with a group of friends. There are also Texas deer hunting guided tours so that you can get to the very best hunting grounds around. There are plenty of opportunities to come back with a deer trophy from Texas.

Everyone wishing to participate in Texas deer hunting must show they have successfully completed a hunter’s safety course. There is a lottery system used to authorize those who qualify for a Texas deer hunting tag. The majority of them are valid for a span of 10 days.

The deer hunting season brings plenty of people to Texas to spend both their time and money.

According to the Texas Department of Wildlife more than 1.3 million is generated annually in Texas due to deer hunting. The funds come from the price of deer tags, equipment, accommodations, food, and shopping. If you are planning a Texas deer hunting trip plan your trip early. As soon as you know you have a tag plan your accommodations and travel arrangements. You don’t want to find that there are no campsites or hotels that you can stay at.

A great deal of the money generated by Texas deer hunting is used for wildlife conservation efforts. There is a Wildlife Restoration Program that closely monitors the number of animals in the wilderness of Texas. They continually need funding to initiate plans to increase the numbers of these animals. Since there is no shortage of deer in Texas it seems logical to allow them to be hunted rather than starve from over population.

One of the great things about Texas camping is that you can go pretty much any time of the year. Since winter weather is normally pretty mild this allows you to fit in a few extra camping trips while your buddies up north are hunkered down trying to stay warm. Again this year, at more than 70 state parks, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is waiving fishing license requirements for families as part of their Family Fishing Celebration. The promotion will continue through August 31, 2007. They have been running a similar promotion the last couple years, and its really been nice for families. So on your next camping trip, be sure and take along your fishing gear, and enjoy some fun times fishing with your kids.

There are many great camping sites in Texas. In fact, just counting state parks there are over 70 parks to choose from.This short article briefly describes some of the best camping spots in North Texas. Each of these campsites is just a short drive from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and should provide great fun for you, your family, and friends.

Bonham State Park - A 261 acre park located in Fannin County, a little over an hour northeast of Dallas. The park includes a 65 acre man-made lake, rolling prairies, and woodlands. Near the lake, there is a nice playground for children, and a large grassy area for throwing frisbees or playing ball. It also has a good swimming area.

Cedar Hill State Park - This 1826 acre park is located on Joe Pool Lake. It features over 350 mostly wooded campsites. Most of these are good sized and shade shelters cover some of the picnic tables. If you are into boating or water sports, this park is a good choice. It is located just south of Dallas near Cedar Hill, Texas.

Eisenhower State Park - A 423 acre park located in Grayson County. This park has much to offer, and is just a little over an hour north of Dallas up Highway 75. Situated on beautiful Lake Texoma, on the Texas-Oklahoma state line, this park has many nice campsites and provides a wide range of fun family activities.

Lake Mineral Wells State Park - A 3282 acre park that encompasses Lake Mineral Wells. The park is located between Ft. Worth and Mineral Wells just west of the metroplex. Swimming, fishing, boating, rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding are just some of the fun activities available when camping at this park. Check the park website for the latest details.

Texas is blessed with many nice camping areas. I have mentioned just a few here, but there are many more all around the state. All of the parks listed here are just a short drive from Dallas/Ft. Worth. Be ready to load up, and jump in your car after work on Friday, so that you can be set up and relaxing around a roaring campfire just a few hours later. I hope that your family enjoys camping as much as we do. Be sure and be safe on your trip, and have fun camping in Texas!

The city of Fort Worth, Texas goes by many different names, including “Cowtown” and “Where the West Begins”; but it is also one of the most cultural cities in Texas. You might be interested to learn that the city was actually established in 1849 as a military camp and is the fifth-largest city in Texas today. Fort Worth is also the nineteenth largest city in the United States and is home to a large number of attractions that helps to prove that cities in Texas aren’t just about oil!

If you’re planning a trip to Fort Worth, you’ll love the number of art and historical museums and galleries you’ll find at your disposal. Pay a visit the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth which was established in 1892 and is the oldest art museum in Texas. Moreover, its permanent collection houses more than 2600 pieces of post-war art. Alternatively, the Kimbell Art Museum has an eclectic collection of art, with work from the likes of Caravaggio, Picasso, Matisse and Rembrandt. If you’re more interested in browsing the work of American artists in Fort Worth, make a stop at the Amon Carter Museum, which is home to an excellent collection of works by Western artists, including Thomas Cole, Georgia O’Keefe and John Singer Sargent. The museum also houses a vast collection of over 30, 000 photographs.

Visitors interested in taking a walk through Fort Worth’s greener areas should explore the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The garden is the oldest botanic garden in Texas and is home to over 20 speciality gardens and around 2500 species of plants. The Fort Worth Water Gardens offers an impressive water spectacle in the city. Featuring three unique pools of water in a contemporary park, it offers a haven of relaxation in a bustling urban atmosphere. In fact, the water gardens were immortalised on screen in the finale of the 1970s film “Logan’s Run”.

You should also make sure you pay a visit to the Fort Worth Zoo while in the city. Fort Worth’s zoo is ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States, so you’re sure to have a great time with your family or friends. You can also revel in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square, named after the Sundance Kid; an outlaw in the American Wild West whose story was immortalised in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”. This 16-block entertainment centre is where you can find the city’s best restaurants, nightclubs and boutiques - so make sure you don’t pass over the chance to wander around it.

The Lone Star State is known for its wide open spaces and its hospitality. A Texas vacation offers great cities, food and local history. There is a coastline, stretching for 600 miles with some serious sandcastle building competition going on. No one could possibly be bored here. There are six big theme parks with roller coasters and rides for family days out. The Texas State Aquarium at Corpus Christie includes displays of sharks, stingrays and barracudas.

Many annual events appear on the calendar, such as the Texas State Fair, which takes place in Dallas. There is also the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where you can watch the riders, listen to concerts and go on the carnival rides. A Texas vacation wouldn’t be the same without rodeo, it’s big business and it’s always entertaining.

The cities of Texas are all worth a visit. Dallas and Houston are well known for their skyline with impressive skyscrapers and both cities have interesting museums and culture. Houston has its own Grand Opera Company, Ballet Company, Symphony Orchestra and a drama venue called The Alley Theatre. There is also the ArtCar Museum with a collection of custom cars and the Museum of Natural Science. Dallas museums include the Age of Steam Railroad Museum and the African American Museum. Other cities of note are San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso and the state capital, Austin.

Football and baseball are popular activities and there are plenty stadiums to catch a game. The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros are prominent baseball teams and the Dallas Cowboys are worth a ticket for football fans. Keen golfers love a Texas vacation; the warm climate means that golf can be played at any time of the year.

Texas has an interesting history, with its attempt at independence from the United States and its conflicts with Mexico. The residents here have a strong sense of identity. Visitors interested in the subject can visit the significant sites. There is also a Texas Film Tour, which stops at locations used for the movies, the most famous example being the Alamo. The fort still stands where John Wayne fought to the last, at least in Hollywood.

For the very active, there is plenty of opportunity to do sports or take up a new one under instruction. The landscape is ideal for outdoor adventures and there are organizations that offer rafting, canoeing, biking on road and mountain, rock climbing, hiking, sandboarding and horseback riding.

They know about big portions in Texas and no one goes hungry on a Texas vacation. Food is celebrated in festivals, barbecues and jamborees with tasty Texan, Mexican and Spanish being the main influences. Brave visitors may even be tempted into entering the State Jalapeno Eating Contest!

Explore nature at its best at the Austin Nature and Science Center, where visitors can experience exhibits, nature trails and educational events all year long. The nature center has dedicated its resources to educating and instructing Austin citizens on how to appreciate the natural world and experience its wonders.

The Austin Nature and Science Center is home to almost a hundred native animals that are unable to live in the wild. From birds of prey to porcupines, bull snakes and deer, the animals are displayed in all-natural enclosures and receive top quality care and medical attention. The Birds of Prey Exhibit, Small Wonders Exhibit and the Mammals Exhibit are all designed for maximum viewing as well as the ultimate comfort to the animals.

Living animals aren’t the only things worth visiting at the Austin Nature and Science Center. Dinosaur enthusiasts can participate in several activities associated with the center’s paleontology efforts. With a Dino Pit on site, visitors can dig up dinosaur replicas just like the paleontologists do, learning about fossils that are native to Texas. Dinosaur tracks can also be found, and guests can learn all about fossils that once belonged to dinosaurs that roamed the Texas countryside. Visitors of all ages will feel the joy of discovery as ancient creatures are unearthed before their eyes.

The other features of the Austin Nature and Science Center are equally as entertaining. The Discovery Lab is a place where hands-on science labs are set up to explore nature, including botany and geology. The Eco-Detective Trail is a walking trail that winds through natural Texas landscape and treats the visitor to a true outdoor experience. The Sheffield Education Center is the home of the Splash! exhibit, an active aquifer with flora and fauna on display.

Programs, summer mini camps and more await the visitors who are interested in checking out the Austin Nature and Science Center. Several events are hosted annually, and there is always room for special group guests, such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Schoolchildren look forward to a visit to the center during field trips, and the center even hosts home school programs. This living museum is an Austin highlight, and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department has highlighted the center as a model for conservation and education.

Whether for an individual, family or group, a visit to the Austin Nature and Science Center is a fine way to spend a day getting to know the natural wonders of Central Texas and experiencing them in a memorable way.