MAY 2011

INSIDE: * Fires ravage drought-ridden state, engulfing more than 1 million acres, hundreds of homes * passed over in decision to find permanent home for retiring space shuttle orbiters * Four top travel industry awards presented at Arlington conference

Howdeshell, who became director in June 1995, also was responsible for the state's Adopt-a-Highway volunteer program. Prior to her role as director, Howdeshell served as assistant to the Travel Services . ~- Section director, then the division's staff services officer and then deputy -- 1 division director. She has earned many accolades As part of the Pirates In the Caribbean deck party, Disney Cruise Line guests enjoy fireworks on the high seas-the in her career including the Tall in only fireworks display aboard a . Award from the Texas Travel Industry Association and the Keep CR UIS E M AG IC When Disney Magic arrives, Disney and four other new ships Texas Beautiful Bluebonnet Award will be home to scheduled to sail from Galveston by from the program. GALVESTONis about to get four passenger ships, including the the end of next year, the island's "This is one of the hardest deci The a little Disney magic. 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph near future is looking very bright." sions I've ever made because I have Disney Cruise Line announced coming in October 2011, 3,690 the best job in the world in the best that the of Galveston would passenger Carnival Magic and the HaW ES H E - agency in state government, but my be the new seasonal homeport for 3,114-passenger L R RE Royal Caribbean's Hill Country 'ranchette' is calling its 2,400-passenger Disney Magic Marinerof the Seas, both arriving FTER 32 years of service to the me," Howdeshell says. She adds, cruise ship. This move, which in in November 2011. Texas Department of Trans "I'm truly honored to have worked cluded a similar announcement for Princess Cruises' 3,080-passenger portation, Doris Howdeshell for this agency and its leadership New York and Seattle, marks the Crown Princess will arrive at the retired as the Travel Information over the years. first time Disney has set sail from Port of Gaveston in December 2012, Division Director on April 30. "I plan to stay active in litter pre new . bringing the total to five. Long recognized for outstanding vention efforts and will more than Disney Magic, which will offer Carnival's Ecstasy and Conquest, contributions and commitment to likely work as a volunteer with Keep 12 seven-night cruises sailing from which now sail out of Galveston, will the travel and tourism industry, Utopia Beautiful, a Keep Texas the Port of Galveston to the western be moved to , with the Howdeshell has been responsible Beautiful affiliate, as well as adopt Caribbean-including Grand Cayman arrival of their Carnival Magic and for the department's "Don't Mess a stretch of highway on the Farm and 's Costa Maya and Cozu Triumph as replacements. wiih Texas" litter prevention pro to-Market road near our place in mel-will arrive at the island port "The economic impact wil be tre grams, state-produced travel litera the Hill Country." on Sept. 22, 2012. mendous," says Leah Boyd, public t -re (including Texas Highways, the TxDOT Executive Director Disney Cruise Line President Karl relations manager for the Galveston state's official travel magazine), the Amadeo Saenz Jr. says, "Doris' out Holz says, "Guests -an now enjoy a Convention and Visitors Bureau. 12 Texas Travel Information Centers standing leadership and vision have magical, one-of-a-k nd Disney cruise "Quality cruise lines attract tourists, and for audiovisual services that made her a living legend in the state's experience with the convenience of who spend millions of dollars in our provide multimedia support through tourism industry, and her commitment departures from their own backyard." hotels, restaurants and shops. With ou- the state. to this agency is simply unparalleled." E3TEXAS TRAVELOG

UPQANI rlIIAIn rAMnMIAI n nDQF-D/A-ADV or the exciting Trinity River "white water"-all within view of the skyline. The Texas Parks and Wildlife De partment, in partnership with communities, is hosting seven events on May 10, beginning with an 8 a.m. kickoff of the Walnut Creek Paddling Trail on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie. Other paddling-trail launch events will take place through out the day in Arlington, Bridgeport, Dallas, Lewisville and Rowlett, culmi nating with a 5 p.m. final trail opening ceremony at Runaway Bay on Lake Bridgeport in Wise County. "These trails represent what is sim ply the biggest water park in Texas, showcasing some of the state's most remarkable natural areas convenient to our growing urban population," says Carter Smith, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's executive di rector. "Their opening reinforces the crucial message that travel matters to The Southern Area Incident Management Tean- initiated a controlled birn to starve the spreading wildfires and all Texans and our communities that keep it from the McDonald Observatory (at right) ard the surrounding a-ea should the wildfires return. depend on tourism dollars." With a grand total of 57 miles of pad and the greenhouse were unscatLed. Saginor says firefighters from dling trails, including the 11-mile Lake According tc Dr. Cathryn Hoyt, 34 states also came to Texas to help Arlington Paddling Trail that launched executive direct or of the Chihuahnan battle the blazes. TIME, fires continued in 2008, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro AtoTPRESS blaze through drought Desert Research Institure, the fires did Additionally, the Texas Forest Ser plex will offer tourists yet another way ridden Texas, consuming more clear piles of cul juniper and burned vice had more than 750 personnel and to visit and enjoy the outdoors. By of than 1 million acres. back saplings helping to complete a 22 air assets deployed to multiple fires; fering these new nature tourism oppor "We're actually seeing Texas burn much-needed disturbance regime. The American Red Cross, Salvation tunities in addition to the fine dining, from border to border. We've got it in "We'-c beer wanting to burn fCr Army and Southern Baptist Disaster shopping and historical and cultural , in , in north years, alt-ough n o quite so dramati Relief stepped in to offer resources, tourism attractions, the DFW area has Texas, in -it's all over the cally," Eryt says. supplies and shelter to first responders even more to offer tourists. state," Texas Forest Service spokes Palo Pnto anc Stephens counties and fire victims in the impacted areas; "The DFW-area paddling trails woman April Saginor told CNN Radio. also suffered a cilficult blow with many and the Texas Department of Trans represent the largest concentration of Presidio and Jeff Davis Counties, homes and nearl' 150,000 acres of the portation provided bulldozers and official Texas Paddling Trails in the including Fort Davis and the Davis Possum Kingdon- Complex destroyed. other necessary resources. state," says Shelly Plante, TPWD's Mountains State Park, took a big That complex includes Possum Kin "Texas is thankful to the brave nature tourism manager. hit with fires destroying about dom Lake, Caddo, Strawn and Bung men and women across the state who For more information, visit http:// 300,000 acres and 50 homes, accord er-all of which Lave had evacuations. are battling these fires on the front www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/ ing to the Texas Forest Service. The 1,500-acre Possum Kingdom State lines and providing support to wild paddlingtrails. Fortunately, Indian Lodge, built by Park suffered extensive damage anui fire victims," says Gov. Rick Perry, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and remained closed at press time "pending who requested a Major Disaster ASA'S retiring space shuttle the Fort Davis National Historic Site, assessment of the damage." Declaration, from President Barack fleet will soon be on perma a frontier fort, were not damaged. Nor "We expect l-is to go on for a Obama, for the State of Texas as a nent display at institutions was the University of Texas' McDon while," Saginor - ays, "so we're ir it result of widespread wildfires. across the country, and specula ald Observatory, which ended up for the lz'ng hau-." The Texas Forest Service has kept tion of where they would go ended offering refuge to park evacuees. In response -c ongoing wildfire ac ongoing updates on the wildfire situ with the official announcement on As a precautionary measure, Big tivity, the state activated the Texas ation at http://txforestservice.tamu. April 12. Despite public lobbying Bend National Park Superintendent Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System edu/main/article.aspx?id=12888. efforts to bring one of the shuttles William E. Wellman ordered tempo (TIFMAS), a network of Texas fire "back home" to Houston-home of rary closures of all high Chisos back departments w killing to provide emer the Johnson Space Center, the as T RAVE L N EWS packing campsites, including the Blue gency resources to neighboring con tronaut corps and NASA's Mission Creek and Lower Juniper Zones, munities dur-nag threat of disaster. EVEN NEW Texas Paddling Control Center for the 135 shuttle though day use was still permitted on Fire prever tir and response resourc Trails open May 10 in the missions-the Space City was not the Chisos Mountain trails. es from Iccal fire departments across Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, one of the chosen few. The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Texas have bee n deployed to fight ires giving paddlers and nature tourists More than 20 institutions across Center was threatened as fires raged across th- state including Callahan. options to enjoy everything from a the country vied for one of only four through grasslands just north of the Eastland, Garza, Kent, Midland, Moore, relaxing journey down a shaded creek shuttle orbiters that represent 30 Center property, but the visitor center, Palo Pinto, Pecos, Presiiio, Stephers, or a wildlife-rich wetlands pond to a years of spaceflight and numerous outdoor exhibits, botanical gardens Sterling and Ton- Green counties. wide-open paddle across a placid lake science and technology firsts. MAY 2 0 11 L

COJRTFSY OF NASA Retiring Shuttle "There are so many things to see flower Center. "Lack of fall rain, Atlantis will make Aq and do in Austin, it's hard to hit all which affects germination, and lack Kennedy Space Gene e the hot spots in just one visit; however, its permanent home. of spring rain, which affects plant the Austin-Bergstrom International growth, is a double whammy for this NASA Administrat Airport makes it easy for travelers to year's bluebonnets." before Charles Bolden an get to several local favorites Nearly one third of the state is in nounced the following heading home," the website says. an extreme drought, reportedly the Additionally, chair pairings for permanent massages help victim of the La Nifia weather pat take the edge off traveling, and "if display: Atlantis, Kenne tern's extended stay. you didn't get your fill of live music dy Space Center, Florida; A little spring rain could fuel a downtown, you may be fortunate Discovery, Smithsonian decent show of summer wildflowers. National Air and Space enough to catch a live show during Waitt notes that wildflowers that the airport's Music in the Air concert Museum, near Washing bloom in summer months are more series, held weekdays throughout the ton, D.C.; Endeavour, drought-tolerant than their spring terminals," Smartertravel.com California Science Cen says. blooming cousins. They include Other cities with stress-free air ter, Los Angeles; and many in the sunflower family, such Enterprise,Intrepid Sea ports include Seattle; Palm Springs, as purple coneflower, Indian blanket, Calif.; Minneapolis-St. Air and Spaice Nuseuim, Paul; Tucson; Mexican hat and black-eyed Susan. -- , Orlando; Palm New York. Beach, Fla.; Provi What has remained predictable is dence, R.I., and Bern, N. C. "This wv a sen d III the Wildflower Center's floral dis cult decision, but one play. "Our native plant gardens are that was made with the WILDFLOWER DAZE exploding with color this spring," American public in Waitt says, noting that Wildflower IT H drought Center mind. In the end, these choices pro dampening bluebonnets will be showy helped Austin Bergstrom Inter the showcase vide the greatest number of people of spring for several more weeks. F nationalOOD, MASSAGE Airport make and musicSmart wildflowers, experts are now with the best opportunity to share in The center's bluebonnets can be ertravel.com's list of most stress planting the seeds of hope that the history and accomplishments of viewed at ttp://www.wildflowcr.org/ free airports. summer blooms are still possible. NASA's remarkable Space Shuttle bbcam. The article notes the airport's branch "Almost everyone I've talked to is Program," Bolden says. "These facil For sightings reported by the pub es of quintessential Austin establish reporting small patches of bluebon ities we've chosen have a noteworthy lic, visit http://lnstar.com/wildflowers/ ments like The Salt Lick (barbecue), nets with plants that are smaller than legacy of preserving space artifacts index.html, contact the Texas Depart Amy's Ice Cream, Ruta Maya coffee, normal," says Damon Waitt, senior and providing outstanding access to ment of Transportation at 1-800-452 BookPeople, Austin City Limits/ botanist at The University of U.S. and international visitors." Texas 9292, or view: http://www.txdot.gov/ Waterloo Records, and SoCo Market. at Austin's Lady Bird Johnson Wild- In a joint commentary for CNN, travel/flora-map-disclaimer.htm. Reps. Ted Poe, R-Texas, and Pete Olson, R-Texas, were demanding an TOP TRAVEL AWARDS swers. "The first word spoken on the the Travel Information Division's Trav Roadrunner Award. She has been moon landing was 'Houston,' not fessionals received prestigious el Publications Section director. an ambassador and "the face of Tex . It defies logic for awardsOUR TRAVEL during ceremoniesINDUSTRY atpro as," counseling travelers and tourists a shuttle not to land in 'Space City, the 56th annual Texas Travel Coun Bandera County Convention and who stop by the Texas Travel Informa Visitors Bureau U.S.A.' NASA has been ingrained selors Conference held in Arling Director Patricia Moore tion Center in Orange. in the culture of Houston for genera ton. The awards were given for pro received the Gene Phillips Hospi Anderson is a certified professional tions. The men and women who viding outstanding customer service tality Award for her contributions to travel counselor on state and national work at Mission Control in Houston and for exceptional contributions to Texas' $51.8 billion travel industry. levels, has served on TxDOT's Travel Moore was instrumental in have guided every single shuttle the state's travel and tourism indus Bandera Counselors Advisory Committee, and mission since the program began. try, TxDOT and the state. County's Convention and Visitors Bu was named Travel Counselors Adviso Astronauts have raised their families reau moving into the 1870 George Kirsti Harms, a graphic designer for ry Committee's Shinning Star. in Houston. The families of the as Hay House, one of Bandera's most the Texas Department of Transporta "Christine often goes out of her way tronauts who perished in the Chal historic buildings. tion's Travel Information Division, re to get information for her customers lenger and Columbia missions still She has been an active member ceived the Lone Star Award. She is and even has them coming back in live in Houston," they wrote. of the Texas Tourism family and with an 11-year veteran at TxDOT's Travel asking specifically for her," says Brenda Other shuttle artifacts also were the Bandera County Convention and Information Division, where she has Harper, Travel Services Section Direc allotted to various institutions, in Visitors Bureau for 15 years. She is a designed and produced award-winning tor of the Travel Information Division. eluding flight deck pilot and command member of the Texas Association of materials including Texas Highways er seats that will go to Houston's Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Jasjit Rathod of the AAA office in magazine, the Texas Events calen NASA's Johnson Space Center. Texas Travel Industry Association, Katy received the AAA Roadrunner dar, the Texas Official Travel Map, the Award. NASA expects to deliver the shut Bandera County's Film Commission, Texas State Travel Guide and several tles next year. The winning institu the Great Western Cattle Trail Asso Rathod, a 12-year AAA employee, other tourism publications. tions will have to pay about $28 mil ciation and the Re consistently "demonstrates her exper "While most of her work is done lion for their shuttle's 747 piggyback gion Board of Directors. tise in all areas of auto travel" and is behind the scenes, her contributions transport, with two exceptions. Con "an enthusiastic employee who contin to the Texas travel industry have Christine Anderson, a senior travel gress exempted the Smithsonian, and been, uously provides members and staff and continue to be, a vital component counselor at TxDOT's Texas Travel Shuttle Atlantis will be towed a short with a positive attitude and welcoming to the overall success of the state's Information Center in Orange for distance down the road to Kennedy demeanor," says her supervisor Linda tourism efforts," says Kathy Murphy, more than 20 years, won the TxDOT Space Center. Phillips. 1TEXAS TRAVELOG

What historical park will celebrates a 165 VISITOR NUMBERS as of March 31, 2011 Month Percent Year-to-Date Percent year milestone with a living history encamp TRAVEL CENTER Visitors Variation* Visitors Variation* ment on May 7? AMARILLO 7,056 -0.93 17,021 +0.56 ANTHONY 6,492 -32.42 17,265 -29.55 tyqxapui/end/AO sdummm }lSLA 'uoiwauofui o.ioui 10o u uoumz u pue slu;)wgsiund/slir.p 'sonpooold iuoaulsuo CAPITOL 8,143 -11.97 19,345 -4.14 sanpaaold le pow 'spip .iujUz apnpu suotluisuou.oG DENISON 30,674 +8.53 73,494 +17.90 ssapuIul puu sloow 'puuosioad Iuo sioaueu soxi, 's~tam 21,499 -27.31 49,453 -28.29 -suDal'i(JalDileu puu J1uuli u3oWxAJ puu Sfn opnpui sIR U11Jod GAINESVILLE -sJIplos uUoix;A) pue -f- lloq LANGTRY 6,776 -24.29 13,801 -19.08 Jo aq duo aql aA1asgo uue osiu sisong -utuo14epI put susuLepy LAREDO 6,595 -41.38 19,119 -35.09 'sexoj, woij oo oqm sluuodilmd IDLglo ps uu41 oiotu puu suupol -SItj UiniI p sditoo uLmoJ s,jped aoq imlA IZ Jlui uuc SJtOINSA ORANGE 37,735 +12.95 100,147 16.09 -u-d of -Ul uotJ undo si luAD aij oqI 'spunoA jiud atp 01 TEXARKANA 10,196 -63.07 21,259 -64.32 uo luow~dweuou Xto1siq- ui1?~ u uiiuosatd, Xq ozix;p)J puu solunS po1puf a41 uDat1Daq oliwq X31 u Jo JUSJDaLuue '1 91 VALLEY 10,976 -36.85 62,052 -9.18 0 slI s.WUm >pJd Il!Jois!H Iuuot1N PIDPJ P8 oIIy old DLII WASKOM 28,624 -23.13 64,880 -26.74 WICHITA FALLS 14,829 +17.28 33,909 +16.24 CENTER TOTALS 189,595 -18.38 491,745 -13.93 TEXAS TRAVELOG is published monthly by the Texas Department *Compared to last year of Transportation, Travel Information Division. Please send news items of in terest to the Texas travel industry to Texas TraveLog, P.O. Box 141009, for travel assistance from Austin, TX 78714-1009. (512) 486-5874, fax (512) 486-5879. E-mail: trv-log@ Dial toll-free (800) 452-9292 dot.state.tx.us. Deadline for each newsletter is the 15th of the month preced TxDOT's Texas Travel Information Centers ing the issue date. To receive this publication electronically, please e-mail (8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Central Time) [email protected].

EDITOR: Lois M. Rodriguez DESIGN/LAYOUT: Kirsti Harms www.traveltex.com e www.texashighways.com

@ PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER www.txdot.gov * www.dontmesswithtexas.org

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