Texas Highways, Volume 52 Number 10, October 2005 Page: 29
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These horses know the trail, leaving the rider little to do
but relax, listen to the sounds of nature, look for ducks on the
pond, and, if you're lucky, spy an owl or white-tailed deer.At the Running-R Ranch in Bandera, the daily rate for a cabin includes two hours of horseback riding
in the adjacent Hill Country State Natural Area. Impromptu two-stepping, of course, is always free-
wherever you are in Texas.the term peaceful, too: Although I some-
times heard shrieks and splashes from
nearby Lake Raven (and the calls of its
eponymous bird), I saw little but woods
from the saddle. The stable offers break-
fast and dinner rides, and welcomes rid-
ers of all ages and abilities.
From smooth beaches to craggy moun-
tains and everything in between, for
leisurely rides through the woods or
an exciting race on the sand, Texas sta-
bles offer just about every kind of horse-
back-riding experience a cowboy-
wannabe could ask for. Seek out stables
whenever you're on the road, or make a
special trip just for the ride, but don't
miss the true Texas experience of spend-
ing an hour or two in the saddle. And
don't forget, if you have a good time, pat
your horse and tip your wrangler! *
As a child, Texas writer MELISSA GASKILL
wished for a horse of her own.
EARL NOTTINGHAM specializes in nature
photography.but relax, listen to the sounds of nature,
and look for lichens or mushrooms on the
forest floor, ducks on the little pond, and,
if you're lucky, an owl or white-tailed
deer. The hourlong ride gets my vote for
the most peaceful in the state. Evening
rides include the option of a steak or
hamburger dinner. On Saturday nights in
October and November (as well as in the
spring and on holidays), you can work off
the meal on the stable's dance floor, and,
on cool fall nights, enjoy a bonfire.
LAKE RAVEN STABLES,
Huntsville State Park, Huntsville
At Lake Raven Stables, just inside
Huntsville State Park, in the piney woods
of the Sam Houston National Forest,
rides start from a shaded corral where
saddled horses wait along the split-pine
rail. The scenic riding path follows sandy
Chinquapin Creek, crosses a wooden
bridge where the horses' hooves make a
satisfying clomp-clomp, then winds up
and down gentle hills covered with loblol-
ly and shortleaf pine, the occasional pal-
metto, and wildflowers. This ride earnsessentials SADDLE UP!
Be sure to call each spot for reservations.
CONCAN Elm Creek Stables, on US
CANYON
83 just north of Garner State Park; Y "
830/232-5365. Hourly rides cost QUITAQU
$20, including catch-and-
release fishing-hole privileges. BANDER
Dinner rides (7 p.m.) begin at CONC
$25. Camp at the state park, or find area so
accommodations at www.thcrr.com. sIS
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND Island Equestrian
Center, on Padre Blvd. one mile north of the
Convention Center; 956/761-4677; www.
horsesonthebeach.com. Ride prices range from
$30-$45. Visit www.sopadre.com for informa-
tion about accommodations.
BANDERA Running-R Ranch, about 91/2
miles south of Bandera on Ranch Road 1077;
830/796-3984; www.rrranch.com. Riding costs
$25 per hour, $22 ages 6-12. Packages with
accommodations and meals are available.
QUITAQUE Quitaque Riding Stables, adjacent
to Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway;
806/455-1208. Guided or unguided rides cost
$25 per hour. Camping available in the park;
806/455-1492; www.tpwd.state.tx.us.CANYON Old West Stables, in Palo Duro
Canyon State Park; 806/488-2180. Guided
one-hour rides cost $35, 4-hour guided
E trips to the Lighthouse cost $140.
HUNTSVILLE Camping and cabins available in theSNG park; 806/488-2227; www.
LIVINGSTON
tpwd.state.tx.us. Accommo-
dations also available in nearby Canyon;
visit www.canyontx.com/lodging.html.LIVINGSTON Lake Livingston Stables, in
Lake Livingston State Park; 936/967-5032.
Open daily on weekends year round, also week-
days in Mar. and June-early Aug. One-hour tides
cost $18. Call for information about breakfast
and dinner rides. Camping available in the park;
936/365--2201; www.tpwd.state.tx.us, or try
accommodations in nearby Livingston (www.
livingston-polkcountychamber.com).
HUNTSVILLE Lake Raven Stables, in Huntsville
State Park; 936/295-1985. One-hour rides
cost $18. Call for information about breakfast
or dinner rides. Camping available in the park;
936/295-5644; www.tpwd.state.tx.us, or try
accommodations in nearby Huntsville (www.
huntsvilletexas.com).AN
UTH
ORE
ANDOctober 2005 TEXAS HIGHWAYS 29
e
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Texas. Department of Transportation. Texas Highways, Volume 52 Number 10, October 2005, periodical, October 2005; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth839133/m1/33/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.