Articles written by Melissa Gaskill
Showing 28 Articles
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Children Need Outdoor Time
Exposure to nature is essential to the physical and emotional health of children, experts say, and it's up to parents to provide that exposure.
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Murals Aid Conservation in Mexico
Public murals have long been a form of social commentary in Mexico. Murals of marine life in many Baja California towns support a growing conservation movement.
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Giving Children Pets as Gifts
A live animal can make a fabulous present for children, under the right circumstances. But parents (or grandparents, aunts, etc) must think carefully before giving one.
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Inn at Price Tower
This 19-story building, the tallest of Frank Lloyd Wright's works and one of only two vertical projects, today houses the Inn at Price Tower and Price Tower Art Center.
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Weekend in Falmouth and Woods Hole
Relax in the cozy Cape Cod town of Falmouth, Massachusetts once summer crowds head home and while fall weather remains pleasant.
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Whale Watching in Mexico
In fall and winter, hundreds of female gray whales arrive in lagoons on the Pacific side of Baja California, Mexico. Outfitters get visitors up close.
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Mayan Encounter in Mexico
The Mayan Encounter includes rappelling into a Cenote, cleansing by a Maya shaman, swimming in an underground pool, and lunch in an authentic Mayan village.
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Finding Dark Night Skies
As artificial light invades more of the landscape, skies dark enough for quality stargazing grow rare. Better lighting can solve the problem.
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Sand Dune Destinations
Fields of sand dunes all around the country, many of them national parks, recreation areas or monuments, or state parks, offer unique outdoor fun.
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Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary
An important part of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, the coral reefs in the Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary face threats and need more protection.
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The Importance of Bats in Native Landscapes
Around the world, bats provide vital services such as pollinating desert and tropical plants, eating insects, and helping to distribute seeds - but bats are in danger.
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Coral Spawning in Gulf of Mexico
Every summer brings a mass spawning by coral species at the Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Camping with a Baby
Even for veteran campers, going with a baby presents unique challenges, and it helps to be prepared and have the right attitude.
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Stargazing Destinations
These destinations feature dark skies at night, professional equipment and, often, knowledgeable guides or amateur astronomers to explain what's in the telescopes.
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Visit Lake of the Ozarks
The Lake of the Ozarks area in the rolling hills of Central Missouri offers everything from golf courses to state parks, go carts, fishing, and pleasure cruises.
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Visiting the Davis Mountains
The Davis Mountains in West Texas offer scenery, solitude, and a variety of outdoor activities. High elevation keeps it cooler here in summer than in much of the state.
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Cabins in Texas State Parks
Sixteen Texas state parks rent full-service cabins, and others offer limited use cabins. These accommodations make it easy to enjoy a park experience without camping.
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Ten Texas Places to Get Away From it All
Remote places miles from nowhere offer stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, dark skies, and solitude. Here are ten relatively accessible and affordable getaways in Texas.
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See Rock Art in Central Texas
A bluff in the rolling hills 30 miles east of San Angelo bears hundreds of paintings 1,000 years old or older, some of which accurately mark the solstices.
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Human Noise Affecting Nature
According to bioacoustician Bernie Krause, PhD, human-generated noise is interfering with vital animal communications.
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Sustainable Architecture in Texas State Parks
Texas park facilities feature building design that reflects place and promotes energy efficiency, water conservation, and use of reclaimed and native building material.
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Dog-Friendly Texas Hotels
An estimated 29 million Americans travel with their dogs, and more hotels and resorts are welcoming four-legged customers. Here are some dog-friendly Texas hotels.
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Learn to Surf in Texas
Learn to surf on a Texas beach. Instructors offer individual and group surf lessons suitable for all ages and abilities.
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Dog-Friendly Houston Area Hikes
Hiking through the woods beats sweltering in city heat. These five dog-friendly trails offer escapes just a short drive from Houston.
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Dog-Friendly Texas Hill Country Hikes
Hiking offers one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors, and a dog is great company on the trail.
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Summer Hiking with Dogs
Dogs make excellent hiking companions. Proper preparation and supplies can keep a hike from turning hazardous, especially in summer.
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Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases in Texas
During summer, visitors to Padre Island National Seashore can observe releases of sea turtle hatchlings, part of a decades-long effort to restore nesting in Texas.
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See Bats Emerge from Devil's Sinkhole
Every summer evening, millions of bats emerge from Devil's Sinkhole near Rocksprings, Texas. Guided tours of the phenomenon being at the Rocksprings visitor center.
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