Just A Name On The Map

(Or San Angelo Trip Part I)

On the 10 o’clock news I hear the weatherman say “And today in San Angelo it hit 100 degrees” and i see the name San Angelo on the big televised map of Texas. I have seen this name for years, but it meant nothing to me. I had never been there. I didn’t know anyone who lived there. And then one day, on Facebook, I saw a post about the San Angelo State Park. The poster had gotten some nice bird photos there. It was Spring, and I thought: “Road Trip.”

San Angelo is 205 miles to the northwest of Austin. We drove through rolling hills and interesting towns, the elevation gradually rising with each mile. The state park is on the outskirts of San Angelo. It has 7,677 acres and is a fairly new state park, having opened in 1995. There is a north shore area and a south shore area with a large reservoir made from damming up the Concho river. Check out the website for more information:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/san-angelo

Here are just a few of the other things we saw during our all day visit:

Texas Longhorn Cattle

American Bison

Blooming Mesquite

Prickly Pear Cactus And Daisies

Female Red Wing Blackbirds and White Wing Doves Up Close At The Bird Blind

Turkeys

Scissortail Flycatcher

And as we neared the park exit…

Road Runners Mating…note the lizard in the male’s beak. When they separated he still had the lizard…maybe to attract another mate?

We also saw deer and ground squirrels and a fox. And we saw other unidentified birds that I didn’t get shots of. This is a wonderful place and I recommend it to all who love spending time in the great outdoors. Now, when I see the name on the map, it will bring back the happy memories of all that I saw.

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bettymccreary7347

Born and raised in Central Texas. Spending time outside brings me joy and I love to share my observations. I also belong to two writing groups and enjoy researching my ancestors. I find people interesting, but Nature keeps me sane.

16 thoughts on “Just A Name On The Map”

  6. Great reading this! I grew up west of San Angelo in a small town: Monahans. My dad’s brother lived in San Angelo and we went there a couple times a year, always excited to get “out of the desert” at that point … a real river, lake, green things growing! My parents’ graves are in the San Angelo cemetery, but I don’t get there very often. Thus excited to read your post.

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    1. Thank you Jazz! Reading your reply, I realize that maybe I did drive through San Angelo many years ago on my way to or from Monahans Sandhills State Park? I think that is the name. Anyway, as you know…so many interesting towns in Texas. My next post will have some photos taken in the city of San Angelo.

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  7. Betty, you saw a lot in a relatively short visit. Years ago I was in San Angelo several times for work, visiting a clinic or giving a presentation at a regional meeting. I remember strolling along the Concho River near my hotel and browsing an antiques shop on a lunch break. I came away with a generally positive impression of the town, but I never went to the park. Thank you for this prompt to make a trip there in the near future. The hot weather may be upon us, but I still may go this summer. I can always return at a later date if I wish. Marcia

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    1. Thanks Marcia! We actually stayed a couple of nights in town. My next blog post will have some photos I took in town. Yes, the town reminds me of a miniature Austin of sorts. All sorts of people there and some interesting things to see and do.

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  8. What a great road trip destination … and I do love scissortails and roadrunners, which your captured so beautifully in your photos. 4 hours sounds like a do-able road trip, too.

    You might be interested to know that there is a photo exhibit at Inspired Minds Art Center in Buda focusing on Texas State Parks … we went last night and very much enjoyed the show.

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    1. Thanks Liz! I hesitated to include the scissortail photo since it doesn’t show the scissortail tail…but the birds white body and dark eye are so pretty. And thanks for the info on the photo exhibit in Buda.

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  11. We do have alligators in Texas…but a bit closer to the coast and the eastern part of the state….and Louisiana has them and on through the states to Florida.

    Pretty interesting to see in the wild…from a bit of distance.

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