Llano Estacado
Summer time in Texas is not for sissies. It’s hot and humid and my friend, Rebecca calls it “fried hell” — she’s not that far off especially in August when temperatures soar and hover in the 100F+ range. There’s little incentive to get outside unless you are working on a tan or are too young to notice how miserable it is outside.
Texas is the largest state in the continental USA and Texans have a lot to brag about and rising mercury doesn’t stop us…it’s probably because we know where all the good swimming holes are and how to keep an ice chest from tipping over as we tube the Guadalupe River.
Texas Hill Country
If you’re a foodie, you’ll find some of the finest cuisine here ranging from tender smoked brisket to spicy street tacos. And, the local dives and food truck community will keep your belly full.
Nature lovers will find over 80 state parks; countless city and county local green spaces; wildlife preserves and refuges.
From cities that don’t sleep to sleepy towns that shut down on Sundays. There is no shortage of things to amuse and entertain you here. You just have to find that pocket of Texas that makes your heart sing.
Santa Elena Canyon - Big Bend National Park
Caddo Lake
A few years ago, I started a page on Instagram called “@Inspire_Texas_Now” my intention was to show off the pretty parts of Texas. As a feature page, I wanted to showcase a collection of images from hobbyist and professional photographers so that armchair travelers could see more of this large and diverse state and at the same time giving a shout out to those who got off their couch and put on their hiking shoes.
South Padre Island
From the southern tip of the state that shimmies up against Mexico to the top of the Pan Handle where prairie dogs and tumbleweeds roam and along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico to the other side of the state it will take you anywhere from 11-14 hours of drive time ———depending on how hard you push down the gas pedal.
Prairies; plains; forests; swamps; coastline; brush country; and the famed “Texas Hill Country” — to the deserts and mountains in west Texas— there is something here for everyone. It’ll take me a lifetime to see it all but I’m doing my best to wander and explore the many dirt roads that wind around this huge state.
A couple of months ago, landscape and nature photographer, Brenda Petrella was my guest on the Happiness Hour, my weekly photography series. You can find her presentation, “Nature Photography in Non-Iconic Locations” here.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Brenda is based in Vermont and she spoke about the challenges of photographing “non-iconic” landscapes.
Brenda is the creator of the Outdoor Photography School and she recently launched the “The Outdoor Photography Podcast.” Her goal is to interview top nature and landscape photographers and outdoor industry leaders to share ways to keep you safe as you explore and connect with nature. In the episodes called “Tidbit Tuesday” Brenda answers your submitted questions; and talks about topics to help her listeners connect with nature, promote safety, and to inspire creativity.
I sat down with Brenda a couple of weeks ago and had the opportunity to brag about my Texas playground and laugh a lot! If you want to hear about how I see Texas through my lens, take a listen to Episode No. 11: Finding Inspiration In The Texas Landscape. Be sure to take a look at all the guests that Brenda has already interviewed and please give “The Outdoor Photography Podcast” a follow!
My home town - La Salle County