Feast your eyes on the Great Lakes of this great state: Chain-O-Lakes Resort in southeast Texas, where artesian groundwater percolates up into a series of interconnected lakes at the perimeter of the Big Thicket National Preserve. It’s a tranquil setting for anglers snagging black bass, bream, and bluegill. Nature-watchers feel a gnawing sense of wonder as they observe a beaver colony chewing trees along Turkey Creek. Visitors young and old ooh and aah over The Governor, an 11-foot-long alligator who eats table scraps. When Texas Highways photographer J. Griffis Smith took this photo in October 1988, Chain-O-Lakes had eight rustic cabins—with names like Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. The resort has since changed its name, opting for the loftier The Retreat at Artesian Lakes, and has quadrupled its number of cabins, making it a top option for your next lakeside stay.
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