By Jim Darnell
Sports Editor
San Marcos — One of my favorite Texas State Parks — and it’s only 34 miles from San Marcos — is Blanco State Park. Bordering one mile of the beautiful, spring-fed Blanco River this little park is known as a peaceful, family oriented getaway.
Our family has made occasional camping trips to the park since the mid-1960s. Shelters and campsites make this park popular with both tent campers and RVers, as does its proximity to Highway 281. And it’s located only a few blocks from Blanco’s historic town square.
Tubes, kayaks and canoes can be rented at the state park store. Interpretive and educational programs are offered year-round. There’s always plenty to keep the whole family occupied.
The next few weeks offer some special activities at this park.
On Feb. 12-15, Blanco Park will be one of the sites for the Great Backyard Bird Count. This is an opportunity for citizens to become scientists by helping the National Audubon Society and the park track bird species. Each day there will be guided bird hikes where you will have a chance to record your species sightings and have them entered into the Audubon database by park staff.
On Saturday, in addition to the bird hikes there will be classes on how to attract birds to your backyard, how to observe them and children’s activities. Bird hikes daily at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon. Saturday programs 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For a detailed schedule call (830) 833-4333.
Every Thursday during February and March, a Romper Rangers class will be offered for children. This class is a relaxed and inviting experience for parents and young children, ages 1-5 to enjoy nature together. Activities will include walks, meeting plant and animal friends and hearing stories. Parents will remain with children during the class and should dress themselves and their child for outside activities. Check in at park headquarters between 10-11 a.m., for directions to class locations.
On Feb. 24, more than 1,000 rainbow trout will be stocked by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department below the dam at the park. This is just one of the 113 sites across Texas where TPWD will stock 279,399 rainbows during the winter.
The Blanco Park is one of the best sites to access the winter trout stocking. The bank of the river is clean and without brush. Casting is easy. I’ve caught many five-fish limits of the feisty rainbows, both on fly and spin tackle below the picturesque overflow dam.
Kids love to fish on the Blanco for the trout. Whole kernel corn, colored marshmallows, earth worms or Berkley power bait will all fill the bill for effective baits. Tiny spinners, jigs and spoons are all good artificial baits.
For families wanting to learn how to camp the Texas Outdoor Family program is offering one of its camping workshops at Blanco State Park March 6-7. The unique amenities and natural resources of the park will be utilized. Kayaking, fishing, nature photography and the increasingly popular sport of geocaching will all be taught.
The workshops cost $55 per family (up to six people), with the cost covering park entry, campsite rental, quality restrooms, professional park ranger-led programs and instruction, a family friendly environment, a specially designed curriculum tailored to each state park, a state park Junior Ranger certification program, and most importantly, all of the quality camping equipment needed for the night. All campers need to bring are sleeping bags or bedding, and food and drinks.
To help keep Blanco State park beautiful you might want to be a part of Volunteer Day, Feb. 27. Volunteer to work with park staff to pick up trash, pull weeds, remove invasive species, plant wildflowers and much more. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes: gloves and tools will be provided. Plan to arrive early to fill out required paperwork at Park Headquarters before work begins at 9 a.m.
Jim Darnell is an ordained minister and host/producer of the syndicate television show “God’s Great Outdoors.” His column appears every Thursday in the Daily Record.
