Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Big Bend is big now

 

Big Bend is big now

I considered myself a “real” Texan when I drove a rented car into an epic movie horizon.
My heart stopped at every big bend in the area and I marveled at reach-the-clouds mountains as well as tiny insects, pebbles and plants on an unforgettable road trip.
Anthony Bourdain’s recently-aired “Parts Unknown” featured many stops I’d made, including some in search of the Texas Monthly best burger listings. Later, I found out the mayor of Lajitas was a goat.
But I did get to stay in the Indian Lodge in the Davis Mountains State Park, built by Civilian Conservation Corps. In that mode:


I’m thrilled to have an image of Big Bend’s Santa Elena Canyon done in Work Projects Administration Style. Old school lettering, coloring and view for the oldest-of-schools scenery. These National Park Posters are created by Rob Decker, a Colorado-based photographer and graphic artist who studied under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was 19. How lucky could he be? And how lucky could you be to own one. Decker is still traveling for iconic shots. If you’ve ever been to one of these parks, or want a bucket list collection, here’s your chance. National Park Posters are printed on “Conservation,” a 100 percent recycled paper stock with soy-based inks, are $35 each and available for purchase at www.national-park-posters.com. Every poster is dated, numbered and signed by the artist. The artist donates a percentage of annual profits to organizations that support America's National Parks.

And now for Texas State Parks
You know the kind of book with dozens of sticky markers guiding you back to reference pages? “Official Guide to Texas State Parks & Historic Sites” will be one of them, from the moment you tear off the wrapping.
Freelance photographer Laurence Parent of Wimberly got to take all these photos and tell these stories that bring Texas to your living room.

Sea Rim State Park, our own span of natural beauty, is featured with two images.

Memories of my great adventure to the Big Bend area are captured with images of Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park, spiny octillo plants designed to ward off hungry deer, the vast pools of Balmorhea State Park and mountains that cast shadows upon other towering mountains.
Hill Country? Who doesn’t want to retire there? Maybe not near the Devil’s Sinkhole, if you’re a sleepwalker, but I’m still hoping to hike up Enchanted Hill after my drive-past a decade ago. I’m more fit, now. I can do it.
Turns out there are many, many state parks in Texas. Pack your picnic and go Culinary Thrill Seeking.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie ready to pack a basket and head out for adventure. Contact her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com


No comments:

Post a Comment