Audry Griffin dives into the Nueces River

Audry Griffin dives into the Nueces River from her backyard. Photo by Kenny Braun

While taking precautions to keep others safe, you still managed to explore Texas with your eyes. Whether it was scouring the internet for a Texas Highways story or sitting on the porch to crack open our magazine, you read about adventures through the state’s bluest waters and smallest towns. These accounts whisked us all to the places we longed to visit from the comfort of home.

Here are the 10 stories you travelled with the most in 2020.

 

Shh … This Just Might Be the Prettiest Body of Water in Texas

By Joe Nick Patoski

The road to crystal clear, glassy water leads to the Nueces Canyon. The freshwater swimming holes created by the Nueces River are pristine, blue beauties that only those off the beaten path can behold.

 

What the Heck is a Texas Twinkie?

By Kimya Kavehkar

Texans require a bit more spice when it comes to Twinkies. They start by stuffing jalapeños with chopped brisket and cream cheese before covering the poppers in bacon and barbecue sauce. Places like Hurtado’s Barbecue in Arlington put their own special spin on the recipe to add even more flavors into the mix.

 

7 Texas Road Trips that Are All About the Journey

By Michael Corcoran, E. Dan Klepper, Clayton Maxwell, June Naylor and Joe Nick Patoski

These road trips may not be the quickest routes, but they sure are chockful of scenic views and small towns worth stopping to visit. Pick up a road trip bingo card before you head out to keep track of the Texas sights along the way.

 

The Wild Snakes of Texas

By George Getschow

Snakes — venomous and non-venomous alike — slither through all parts of the state and rightfully so. While they are not always welcomed by humans, they are a key part of the food chain. It’s about time that Texans put down the hoe and learn to coexist with these legless reptiles.

In Search of Texas’ Half Forgotten Rivers

By Michael Barnes and Joe Starr

When tracing every river in Texas, Barnes and Starr came across two rivers they had never heard of before. The James and the Pease Rivers seldom see visitors, but they each have a rich history running through its waters.

 

Photographer Travels Through 22 Towns to Capture the Personality of East Texas

By Kimya Kavehkar and Dave Shafer

From Palestine to Kilgore to Jacksonville, East Texas towns hold onto traditions that remain hidden under the radar. The Piney Woods region has much to offer — tomato festivals, a 101-year-old train, a sweet tea-colored lake — but only for those who take the time to stop and look around.

 

13 Trips to Take in Texas in 2020

By Susan L. Ebert, Pam LeBlanc, June Naylor, Cynthia J. Drake, Clayton Maxwell, Jason Boyett

Expand your Texas travel bucket list and explore new regions of the Lone Star State. Catch a Texas Rangers game, make a splash at the lake, or dive into a town’s arts scene.

 

Guide to Texas’ Many Spring-Fed Pools

By Michael Hoinski and Julia Jones

Texas is the state with the most spring-fed swimming holes, including Balmorhea State Park. The park’s San Solomon Springs swimming pool plans to grow more than 600 acres.

 

The Future of Battleship Texas Holds Shipyard Repairs and a New Home

By Pam LeBlanc

The Battleship Texas, a historic ship that doubles as a floating museum, is leaving Houston Ship Channel to drop its anchor elsewhere.

 

11 Classic Comfort Food Recipes to Cook at Home

By Kimya Kavehkar

Whip up the taste of Texas home cooking with these recipes from across the state. Get savory with chicken-fried steak or quell your sweet tooth with some homemade kolaches.

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