There is also a 75-acre lake in this park. It's loaded with catfish. For some bizarre reason, boats are not allowed on the park lake, even though there's a nice concrete boat ramp. But the lake is loaded with bass and perch. The fishing from the bank is good.

Bird watching is extremely popular at the park. As part of a joint project of the Bureau of Reclamation and the American Birding Association, Choke Canyon Reservoir has been recognized as a place of special importance for birds and bird watchers. Large numbers and varieties of birds are attracted to the water and to the adjacent upland habitats. Also, many species of birds mainly considered "Mexican" approach the northern limits of their range here, making this one of Texas' finest places to observe the birds. Also included is a mile-long bird watching trail.

When you get tired of watching the birds and catching fish, you can play shuffleboard, tennis, volleyball or basketball at the sports complex. There also are 2 miles of hiking trails.

The wildlife you'll see at Choke Canyon includes white-tailed deer, lots of pigs and javelinas and turkeys. This is rattlesnake country, so be watchful. Also, there are some gigantic alligators in Choke Canyon Lake and in the smaller 75-acre lake.

Camping along the Texas Coast is always a big adventure, but it can be a tad rough. Living in a salty environment is never easy -- but nothing's quite like sleeping in a tent at night and listening to the surf rolling in to shore.

One of the most scenic camping and fishing areas on the Texas Gulf Coast can be found south of Port Aransas. Mustang Island State Park is 3,954 acres with about 5 miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico in Nueces County, south of Port Aransas. It was acquired by the state from private owners in 1972 and opened to the public in 1979.

Activities include camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, hiking and mountain biking on 5 miles of open beach, sunbathing and surfing.

Facilities near the park headquarters include campsites with water and electricity, shade shelters, and restrooms with showers. Facilities at the north end of the developed area (for day-use only) include ample parking, portable toilets, and rinsing showers. Facilities south of the main swimming area include an open beach; primitive campsites; and widely spaced convenience stations with portable toilets, rinsing showers, and bulk water supply.

That's a park with everything you need to keep comfortable, and that includes rinsing showers.

At the other end of the Texas Gulf Coast is Bolivar Peninsula. Located on the middle of that stretch of land is Rollover Fish Pass. That's where you can set up camp and fish all day long. On one end of this pass is East Galveston Bay. The other feeds into the Gulf. The fishing in the pass is good for flounder, redfish and trout during June.

Those listed here are just a few of the great vacation areas in Texas. For details on all the state parks, their locations, facilities and activities go to tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest, or call (512) 389-8900.