Anyone who lives in Texas knows our state offers amazing places to visit. From the Alamo to Zavalla, Texas has plenty to see and do. Maybe you are planning your summer vacation right now. Maybe you are encouraging an out-of-state friend to come visit the promised land. If you are doing either, there are several resources from the state to help you plan your journey. From an afternoon at a nearby museum or a road trip from one end of the state to the other, Texas agencies have the information to help you make the most of your journey.

The Texas Travel Guide is a compilation of attractions, events, and places to stay all across the state. Organized by region and updated yearly, it is a source of travel information and inspiration. To view the Texas Travel Guide online, visit www.traveltex.com. There you can view the travel guide or request your own free copy complete with a Texas travel map and accommodations guide. The travel packet is also available by calling 1-800-452-9292.

While visiting www.traveltex.com, you can use other tools such as an interactive trip planner, parents' resource guide, and download podcast of walking tours for some of Texas' most popular destinations. The site offers a convenient mobile edition perfect for use while you are on the road.

If you are planning a road trip, remember to check out the travel site for the Texas Department of Transportation. At http://www.txdot.gov/travel/, you can check road conditions and closures, verify city-to-city mileage, and request specific travel publications. You can also look up locations for Texas Travel Information Centers located along major highways across the state.

If your ideal destination is the great outdoors, consider visiting one of Texas' state parks. With more than 100 state parks and sites, you can enjoy numerous activities like camping, hiking and fishing all across Texas. Find more information at www.tpwd.state.tx.us or 1-800-792-1192. Texas Parks and Wildlife also maintains several historic sites including LBJ's ranch. For more historic sites, the Texas Historical Commission maintains another 20. The Historical commission has created a site just for trip planning: www.texastimetravel.com The site lets you search for historic adventure either by region or your favorite historical time period.

Traveling, visiting historic sites, and enjoying Texas scenery can work up a hunger. If you are looking for a place to eat, the Texas Department of Agriculture's GoTexan program can help you with that as well. Its Web site, www.gotexan.org, offers a search for restaurants using the best and freshest Texas ingredients to give you a real taste of local flavor.

If you plan a trip to Austin, don't forget to come view your Texas State Capitol and drop by your office for Senate District 3. If I am not there to greet you personally, my staff will be glad to take care of you and offer you a bottle of water or a cup of coffee. We also try to keep a few treats around for our youngest visitors. If you have any questions about a Capitol visit, don't hesitate to contact me or my staff at 512-463-0103.

Whatever your plans this summer, I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy our great state. I'm proud to be a Texan and proud to spread the word about our state's great places to get away.

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