Mother Nature is the Best Gift for Mom

This Mother’s Day, Texas Parks and Wildlife suggests that Texans give mom a chance to relax with a family picnic at one of more than 90 Texas state parks. Picnicking can be a fresh alternative to traditional Mother’s Day events; the agency suggests you take mom to a park, where you can enjoy activities like hiking or birding, along with sharing a picnic.

Whether you relax on a blanket, sit at a picnic table or cook outdoors on an open grill, Texas State Parks offer picnic tables in some of the most beautiful places in the state. You can find a spot next to a river, lake, beach or under a tree. Find out some of the primo picnic spots at http://www.texasstateparks.org/picnic.

You can even put on a Texas-sized picnic in a group pavilion. To reserve a picnic pavilion or area, call 512-389-8900.

Looking for some scrumptious, easy-to-make picnic recipes for your next outing? Texas State Parks has teamed up with the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Beef Council and our food-blogging friends to bring you 28 special recipes such as mango chicken salad lettuce wrap, mojo beef kabobs, or creamy chicken chow mein salad in the following categories: romantic, kid-friendly, family gatherings and outdoor cooking. And if you need a little inspiration or help planning your picnic menu, visit Texas State Park’s Pinterest board.

Another way to treat mom to wildflowers and nature trails during Mother’s Day weekend would be at a state park sponsored event such as the Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk at Government Canyon State Natural Area and the Amazing Mothers Talk and Picnic at Ray Roberts Lake State Park- Johnson Branch. Check out the events calendar athttp://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/calendar/ for more ideas of ways to treat your mom to Mother Nature at Texas State Parks.