Texas Bluebonnets

[lhuff]

Anyone ever been to Athens, TX to see the bluebonnets? They had an article about this in the spring edition of AAA Southern Traveler. I have April 18th off of work (end of tax season break) and was thinking about going. However, I'm having trouble trying to figure out if the bluebonnets will still be in bloom in that part of Texas (Northeast portion, south of Tyler).

Also, Athens isn't far from Palestine, Texas which is one of the stopping points for the Texas State Railroad, an old fashioned steam engine that runs between Palestine and Rusk. I could do this in conjunction with the bluebonnets or go back another weekend. Any suggestions?

Laura

[Mark Sedenquist]

Anyone ever been to Athens, TX to see the bluebonnets?

Laura, first we have to remember that is has been a very odd winter. Wildflowers require the right amounts of rain and sun at the right times and Texas like nearly everywhere else has not seen the normal weather. That said, here are some ways of checking for current Bluebonnet conditions.... The LadyBird Wildflower Center and the DesertUSA Texas report.

Looking forward to hearing what you find!

Mark

[lhuff]

Last week I was caught in an ice storm traveling back to Shreveport from Marshall, Texas and on Wednesday of this week it was 85 here.

The weather has been pretty much the same in Athens. I'm more concerned that the bluebonnets will be over by mid-April. I already have wildflowers blooming in my yard and the tulips have been blooming here since early February.

I'll probably go either way since it appears to be an interesting area of Texas from what I can see.

Laura

[Mark Sedenquist]

Last week I was caught in an ice storm traveling back to Shreveport from Marshall, Texas and on Wednesday of this week it was 85 here.

That sounds about "normal" this year. Yikes! on that ice storm!

I'll probably go either way since it appears to be an interesting area of Texas from what I can see.

Laura, here is a site I use whenever I think I will be exploring parts of Texas. Here is another produced by Wesley Treat, I know that he has been working on other projects this year and it may not be as up-to-date as it could be. But no one should commence a visit to Texas without looking at it (quite funny).

Mark