Texas Bucket List

Texas Bucket List

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The Texas Bucket List – Seminole Canyon State Park in Comstock

February 4, 2018 by Shane McAuliffe

COMSTOCK, Texas – In the rugged and rough landscape where the Pecos meets the Rio Grande, near the legendary little town of Langty, where Judge Roy Bean dispensed his lay down of law, sits a canyon with some of the most serene and stunning settings of the Lone Star State.

Randy Rosales grew up just down the road in Del Rio and now gets to showcase this Texas treasure every day.

“I can’t ask for a better office, that’s for sure,” Randy says.

Seminole Canyon stretches for miles in these parts, and the terrain itself is worth taking the time to see, but there’s more here than just the scenery.

“Seminole Canyon’s a pretty unique place,” Randy said. “It’s got a lot of history, a lot of stories. Some stories we know a lot about and some stories are still a mystery even today.”

In the caves and caverns of the desolate destination is signs of some of the earliest life in all our lands.

“People have been living in this region for over 12,000 years,” Randy informed us.

It’s hard to image, but back then elephants, camels, and carnivorous cats lived in these parts. The reason we know that are these paintings left behind by a people that are long gone.

“These drawings were being drawn around the same time period that the Egyptian pyramids were being built,” Randy informed us. “That’s how far back they go. Who they were we don’t know. We just know that they left their mark on the land.”

First discovered by Spanish explorers in the late 1500s, the cave drawings are the oldest known in North.

“Outside of about a 50 mile radios, a circle around where we’re at, this particular style rock art, which we call the lower Pecos River style, disappears. It is nowhere else in the world,” Randy said.

After taking a short hike, we got a firsthand look at this history in the hollows.

“You can really see the color pallet on this one. The different colors they used,” Randy shared. “Your reds, your blacks, yellows, and oranges. We couldn’t decide at first what this individual really is or who he was. Archaeologists believe that this might actually represent some kind of ceremony. You can see the people. Some of the figurines seem to be gathered around this particular panel in this particular center beam. There are clues that you can always find. Look at their feet, the way they’re pointing. They all seem to be gathered around this particular center being.

The stories these paintings tell stir your imagination.

“A lot of the rock art is enigmatic, very abstract. It doesn’t appear to resemble anything that we recognize today, so that’s part of the difficulty since we don’t know who the author of them were,” Randy said. “But some of them you can kind of make out, like the ones up here at the top. Catlike ears, long claws, long hairy tail, some would say that that’s probably a panther or a mountain lion. Of course, the question is, why would you draw a mountain lion? Did they encounter a mountain lion, or was a mountain lion a part of their story? Notice it’s got red streaks coming from its mouth. Does that mean it’s bleeding or is it talking? So you can see how it can be difficult to interpret, but that’s what archaeologists are doing now. They’re finding clues, and the research is really giving us insight into what some of these symbols may mean.”

What’s truly amazing about these people and culture is that their reign in the region lasted a long time.

“This particular style lasted 1,500 years,” Randy says. ”So when we associate that culture with that rock art style, then you’re looking at 1,500 years. When you compare that to the age of our country, we just started.”

Despite lasting for such a long time, the lifespan of these murals is limited.  With changes to the local environment these, lines to a lost linage are starting to decay at an alarming rate.

“They’re slowly disappearing, and unfortunately there’s not much we can do about that,” Randy said. “That’s just a natural deterioration that comes with weathering and things of that nature. There’s nothing you can apply to the walls that isn’t going to change the composition of it. Our challenge is to learn as much now and to record it as much as we can even today so that they’re still around, perhaps in digital format, but we can still learn long after they are gone.”

So make a stop in Val Verde Country to see some of the oldest recorded history on our side of planet Earth, making it well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

“If you’re into the history of people, people of this side of the world, then this is a place you want to come,” Randy says.

Filed Under: All Videos, History, Outdoors, Science/Nature

Season 9 of The Texas Bucket is List Premieres September 9th

September 2, 2017 by Shane McAuliffe

The show dedicated to EVERYTHING there is to see, do, and experience in the Lone Star State is gearing up for its ninth season! Entering out 5th year on the air, The Texas Bucket List has been bringing exciting Texas stories, fantastic food finds, hidden gems, and amazing annual events into the homes of viewers since 2013 and will continue to do so on Sept. 9 during the first episode of the fall season.

TBL fans can expect to see an expanded palate on the show this year, including a tour of Central Texas BBQ stops in the season opener. The Texas Bucket List Burger of the Week segment will be returning this season as host Shane McAuliffe continues to find meaty treats almost as unique as the state they are made in.

The show will also feature interesting things to do in the state where everything is bigger and better that may inspire a few tall tales. Among these experiences are a Prairie Dog Park, a long standing Christmas ball, and Canton Trade Days, to name a few.

With more excitement, food, and action than ever before, the ninth season of TBL is one you won’t want to miss. It’s no secret that Texans are proud of the state they call home.  Shane McAuliffe’s interactions with people all over the Lone Star State make it easy to see why Texans are so proud of this great state.

The Texas Bucket List airs on 23 markets television markets and has won seven Telly Awards.  TBL has also been nominated for seven Lone Star Emmy Awards.

For more information on The Texas Bucket List, visit TheTexasBucketList.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pintrist.

TO TEXAS!

Filed Under: All Videos, Annual Events, Art, Bizarre, Burger of the Week, Destinations, Entertainment, Food, Fun For Kids, History, Museums, Outdoors, People, Places to Stay, Previews, Science/Nature, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – Shangri La Botanical Gardens in Orange

April 11, 2017 by Shane McAuliffe

ORANGE, Texas – Orange, Texas is as far east as you can roll before heading into the territory known as Louisiana.  Named by sailors who noticed orange groves lining the banks of Sabine, this part of Texas shares the muggy climate of our Cajun cousins that’s culminated into the perfect climate to put an amazing garden.

Rick Lewandowski is the director of the 252 acre oasis in Orange known as Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

“This was the former home of H.J. Lutcher Stark, a member of the Stark family who was involved in lumbering and later in becoming an environmentalist here in Orange, Texas,” Rick informed us.

After World War II, the gardens to Stark’s home were open to the public during the spring and for years it was a popular annual stop in the Lone Star State.  But in the late 50s, the gardens were closed. Forty years later the Stark Foundation sprung it back to life and now it’s bigger than ever.

“Places like this often don’t exist in small communities, but due to the generosity and the long term vision of the family they’ve done that,” Rick said.

30 acres of Shangri La are dedicated to the gardens, with regional plants blooming year-round but spring and early summer are especially special.

“This beautiful area is part of the history of Shangri la, represents the azaleas that Mr. Stark would have planted around his garden in the spring time,” Rick said as we walked through the garden. “And in March and April this is a magical place to be, along with the bald cypress which reminds us that we’re in southeast Texas.  Enjoying this beauty and serenity here at this beautiful place in Shangri la.”

But it’s not just flowers full of color here; you can sit on the banks of Ruby Lake and view nesting birds from the Heronry Blind or even take a boat ride on Adams Bayou.

“It’s a very popular experience because it gets people to see part of the natural systems here in southeast Texas in ways that they couldn’t other wise enjoy,” Rick said.

Susan Montagne is an environmental educator and she points out the particulars on this serene spin on the stream.

“I mean we get school kids all the time, you know,” Susan shared. “That’s our program, and they love to look and see.”

The main attraction at Shangri la is a Texas record holder, according to Susan.

“The survivor tree is a state champion tree for Texas,” Susan said. “It’s a pond cypress as opposed to your bald cypress that are tall and straight. It was nick named by a junior high student many years ago. It is actually 1,241 years old. Now they don’t normally grow this side of the Mississippi, but we all know that seeds get carried and passed in different ways. You know just think about Native Americans canoed past here, pirates maybe. Maybe there’s treasure.”

It turns out you’ll find all sorts of wildlife at the gardens.

“Frankly I’ve come to love the many, many snakes that we down here in south east Texas, and I look forward to seeing them every day here in the garden,” Rick said. “I am serious. Because that’s part of nature.”

It’s been said that life is a garden, dig it.  We’ll we definitely dug the Shangri Law garden and its serene beauty, showing off the unique swampy side of the Lone Star State.

“Many people don’t think of Texas as bayou country, but here it is right here along the Sabine River,” Rick said. “And it’s one of the very, very special places that we think everyone should come and visit because it combines the best of nature and gardens together.”

Filed Under: All Videos, Fun For Kids, Outdoors, Science/Nature

The Texas Bucket List – Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

April 13, 2016 by Shane McAuliffe

Whether you’re interested in learning about the native fish of Texas or just want to catch a few of your own, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens is the place to go, enjoy, and bring your kids along for some family-friendly fun.  This center is one of five in the Lone Star State operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the only one that’s open to visitors.  Here you can learn about our reservoirs and cast a line of your own! Well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

Filed Under: All Videos, Fun For Kids, Outdoors, Science/Nature

The Texas Bucket List – Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Release

April 1, 2016 by Shane McAuliffe

During the peak of nesting season, sea turtle hatchlings propel their way across the sand to make their way into the deep blue sea. Down on the South Padre National Seashore, you can view this journey that begins their lives at an annual Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle release. The plucky spirit and — we admit it — cuteness of these baby sea turtles makes this well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List!

Filed Under: All Videos, Annual Events, Science/Nature

The Texas Bucket List – Inner Space Cavern

March 4, 2016 by Shane McAuliffe

Let your eyes wander and be amazed gazing at the ancient and beautiful cave formations at Inner Space Cavern. Discovered in 1963, these cavernous caves are a wonder to behold and are a must-see experience for people of any age. Whether you’re small or tall — it’s well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List!

Filed Under: All Videos, Fun For Kids, Science/Nature

The Texas Bucket List – Lake Casa Blanca

February 19, 2016 by Shane McAuliffe

Nestled close to the border with Mexico lies Lake Casa Blanca, a pristine body of water whose shores glisten with jewels of the past – fossils, that is. This state park in Laredo boasts land that was once underwater, and has the fossilized remnants of sea structures to prove it. Whether you just want to take a scenic stroll through nature or hunt for mysteries of the past, Lake Casa Blanca is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List!

Filed Under: All Videos, Outdoors, Science/Nature

The Texas Bucket List – San Antonio Botanical Garden

February 17, 2016 by Shane McAuliffe

We visit the mini-paradise that is the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Home to many different varieties of plants and exotic specimens, the gardens boast five greenhouses in the critically acclaimed Lucile Halsell Conservatory. From cacti and succulents to ferns and orchids, it’s an outdoor excursion you’ll want to take to appreciate the natural beauty of the Lone Star State.

Filed Under: All Videos, Fun For Kids, Outdoors, Science/Nature

The Texas Bucket List – Quinta Mazatlan

January 15, 2016 by Shane McAuliffe

Down in South Texas you’ll find some of the best bird watching in the business. Home to several World Birding Centers you can find colorful things in the sky year round. And over at Quinta Mazatlan, you’ll also learn about the history of McAllen.

Filed Under: All Videos, History, Outdoors, Science/Nature

The Texas Bucket List – The Adrian E. Flatt, M.D. Hand Collection

December 15, 2015 by Shane McAuliffe

We visit the Adrian E. Flatt, M.D. Hand Collection in Dallas at the Baylor University Medical Center. From presidents to football players, the hands of people that have made some of the greatest contributions to society are preserved forever in his personal collection. We have to give a hand to Dr. Flatt, because this is an exhibit that you’ve just got to add to your list on The Texas Bucket List.

Filed Under: All Videos, Destinations, Science/Nature

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