Day Trips & Beyond: Texas Travel
A trip planner for the month of March
By Gerald E. McLeod, 10:56AM, Wed. Mar. 9, 2016
Marfa Myths mixes music and film over three days, March 10-13, in Marfa.
Curated by Brooklyn-based record label Mexican Summer and Ballroom Marfa, the program features artists and musicians from within and outside of the record label’s roster working creatively and collaboratively across music, film, and visual arts contexts. To see the full program, go to www.mexicansummer.com/shop/marfa-myths-2016.
With the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s updated Great Texas Wildlife Trail driving maps, traveling on the wild side of Texas just got a whole lot easier. The new maps and an interactive website mean it’s even easier to discover the best of Texas wildlife viewing areas. There are nine wildlife trails around the state. Highway signs mark more than 960 viewing sites, and the website and updated print maps include GPS coordinates to make it easy for travelers to find some of the best spots to view wildlife. The maps also list contact information, entry fees, and operating hours for certain attractions along the trails. To view maps of all nine Great Texas Wildlife Trails or to purchase a printed map, visit www.tpwd.texas.gov/wildlifetrails.
Beginning March 1, new rules at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area prohibit pets on the Summit Trail that ascends to the top of the pink granite batholith. For years the park between Fredericksburg and Llano has been in danger of being loved too much. On busy weekends, the rangers have had to limit the number of guests to the park. The new rules are to protect vernal pools on the rock from further damage. The steep trail to the top is also the cause of many dog injuries. Pets are still welcome in specified camping areas, day-use areas, and on the Loop Trail. At all times, dogs are required to be on a six-foot leash. Because the park is often closed when it reaches capacity, it is best to call before making journey. Call 830/685-3636, or go to www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock.
Travel Notes:
Galveston’s five beach parks officially open on March 12 and will remain open through October. Each park has its unique character and amenities including restrooms, showers, lifeguards, and rentals. For a list of parks, directions, and facilities, go to www.galveston.com/beachparks.
Santa Fe’s (New Mexico) new Margarita Trail highlights restaurants and bars that offer a special, uniquely designed and named margarita. A Santa Fe Margarita Trail Passport describes participating establishments and includes the recipe for each margarita. Passports will be available for $3 to those 21 and older at the establishments and at TOURISM Santa Fe Visitor Centers, and will be used to collect stamps for each margarita sampled. Passports can only receive two stamps per day. Passport holders can turn them in at any of the three TOURISM Santa Fe visitor centers for a special Santa Fe Margarita Trail T-shirt or other tiered gifts based on number of stamps received. For more information on Santa Fe visit www.santafe.org.
Other March Events:
Nacogdoches Music Festival March 3-6, Nacogdoches, www.nacogdochesmusic.com.
"Chihuly: Works from Texas Collections" Through May 15, Tyler, www.tylermuseum.org.
"Discarded: Photographs by Anthony Hernandez" Through Aug. 7, Fort Worth, www.cartermuseum.org.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo March 3-22, Houston, www.rodeohouston.com.
Texas Storytelling Festival March 10-13, Denton, www.tejasstorytelling.com.
World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup March 11-13, Sweetwater, www.rattlesnakeroundup.net.
Southwest International Boat Show March 17-20, League City, www.southwestinternationalboatshow.com.
Victoria TX Indie Film Festival March 17-20, Victoria, www.vtxiff.com.
South Texas State Fair March 24-April 3, Beaumont, www.ymbl.org.
Lometa Diamondback Jubilee March 25, Lometa, www.fb.com/lometadiamondbackjubilee.
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his "Day Trips" column for the past 24 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips," is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 40312, South Austin, TX 78704.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
July 12, 2024
