March 12-15, 2019 Jasper, Martin Dies SP, The Big Thicket Nature Preserve, Village Creek SP, Lake Livingston SP

This week took us to visit friends' property in Jasper, TX and the surrounding natural areas. It was first known as Bevil, named for the Bevil Family who came over from England and obtained a land grant from Mexico. In 1835 it was renamed Jasper by Mr. Bevil in honor of his favorite Revolutionary War Hero, Sgt. William Jasper, in 1835. Jasper County, one of the original 23 counties in the Republic of Texas, was settled mostly by folks from Georgia. The tall pines and magnolia trees are very much like their home state. Logging was and is the main business.

The Steamboat Laura traversed the rivers
of East Texas and made regular trips
between Houston and Galveston. 

J. Tonahill was part of Jack Ruby's defense team in his trial
for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald. Not much to defend
there when you think about it. 

The museum has a nice collection of luminescent rocks.

This tiny working cannon was a signal cannon produced in
1787 in France. 

Nails used in the construction of railroads and
bridges. The number on the nail head is the year
the nail was manufactured. 

A 90 year old tree. 

1911 Pump organ. 

I have been to Denison, TX many times camping at
Eisenhower SP. I had to come to the other end of the
state to find out Roy Rogers once was VP of the
Yellow Jacket Boat Company in that fine city. 

Pre-QWERTY keyboard. 

Jasper County Courthouse

Belle Jim Hotel, named for the two daughters of the
original owner, Mrs. Mamie Patten. Built in 1910 it now
is a B&B and serves lunch. 

There are surveyors everywhere. This one is my favorite.

A nice state park, but research indicates Martin Dies was quite
an ass. 

One of Sam's father's favorite quotes. 

Azaleas in bloom in Jasper County. 

Snapping turtle. 

Can you see the corn snake?

Can you imagine the happy bugs living in
this dead tree?

The trees take interesting shapes in this
state park. 

Do you see the dinosaur?

A tasty treat for this blue heron. 

The Big Thicket Visitor Center. The Big Thicket is the
first National Preserve, designated as such in 1974, thanks
to the efforts of Richard E. Jackson from Leary, GA.
Multiple habitats converge in this area. So far
1,953 species have been documented here.
Find out more about The Big Thicket by clicking HERE. 

Do you see the Rhino head?

This SP experienced a lot of damage from Hurricane
Harvey and has yet to be rebuilt. 

This fellow is happily taking the sun in the middle of the path. 

Hmmm. 

Sam Houston continues to keep an eye
on traffic. 

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