Scenic Driving Texas

by Parent, Laurence

• ISBN13: 9780762748891
• ISBN10: 0762748893
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-06-14
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

Pack up the car and enjoy 34 drives through some of the most spectacular scenery in Texas, where the culture, terrain, and climate are as diverse as the Lone Star State is big. Offering nearly 1,200 miles of riding pleasure, this indispensable highway companion maps out short trips for exploring the state's scenic byways and back roads. Discover a long and vibrant history, myriad outdoor recreational activities, and breathtaking scenery from the Deep South on the Louisiana border to the Old West in El Paso. See the granite dome of Enchanted Rock, cruise along Bluewater Highway on the Gulf Coast, or traverse the rugged mountains and desert country of Big Bend National Park.

Author Biography

Laurence Parent is a freelance photographer and writer specializing in landscape, travel, and nature subjects. He has written and/or photographed nearly 30 books.

Table of Contents

Locator Map	p. iv
Map Legend	p. vii
Introduction	p. viii
Using This Guide	p. xi
The Scenic Drives
Trans-Mountain Highway: El Paso & Franklin Mountains	p. 1
Guadalupe Pass: Salt Flat to McKittrick Canyon	p. 8
Davis Mountains Loop: Fort Davis	p. 15
Ghost Town of Shafter: Marfa to Presidio	p. 55
The River Road: Lajitas to Presidio	p. 28
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: Big Bend National Park	p. 35
Basin Drive: Big Bend National Park	p. 43
Rio Grande Village Drive: Big Bend National Park	p. 48
Palo Duro Canyon	p. 56
High Plains to Canyons: Silverton to Caprock Canyons State Park	p. 64
Trail of the Dinosaur: Cleburne to Dinosaur Valley State Park	p. 70
Lakes & Caves: Marble Falls to Inks Lake	p. 76
Enchanted Rock: Llano to Fredericksburg	p. 83
Willow City Loop	p. 93
The Old Tunnel: Comfort to Luckenbach	p. 98
Springs & Rivers: San Marcos to Guadalupe River State Park	p. 107
Lost Maples: Kerrville to Lost Maples State Natural Area	p. 115
Canyons & Rivers: Medina to Garner State Park	p. 122
Rio Grande Valley: Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park to Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge	p. 128
Rio Grande Delta: Sabal Palm Audubon Center to Boca Chica Beach	p. 135
Padre Island: Aransas Pass to Padre Island National Seashore	p. 142
Aransas: Rockport to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge	p. 148
Bluewater Highway: Surfside Beach to Galveston	p. 154
The Lost Pines: Buescher State Park to Bastrop State Park	p. 162
La Bahia Road: Burton to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site	p. 168
Sam Houston National Forest: Anderson to Huntsville State Park	p. 175
Big Thicket National Preserve	p. 182
Indian Mounds & Old Spanish Missions: Alto to Kennard	p. 189
Cypresses & Steamboats: Daingerfield State Park to Caddo Lake	p. 197
Scenic Views & Steam Trains: Love's Lookout to Rusk	p. 206
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge	p. 213
The River Road: Big Bend National Park	p. 218
Two Forts & Two Rivers: South Llano River State Park to Fort McKavett State Historic Site	p. 226
Creeks & Hills: Cibolo Nature Center to Tarpley	p. 233
Suggested Reading	p. 238
Index	p. 239
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