Caller-Times file, OVERSIZED OAK: The Big Tree at Goose Island State Park is believed to be at least 1,000 years old. Its trunk is 35 feet in circumference.

Other oaks just can't match it
The Big Tree, near Rockport, is 90 feet across and 44 feet tall

By Dan Parker, Caller-Times

  

Performing, Visual arts Camping tips The experienced camper knows what it takes to have an exciting and safe outdoors experience, but the new camper may need a little help. Here are a few tips to get you started: - As a head start, when setting up camp, it’s always best to find a high area that’s relatively flat. Also, shade is always a good thing. - Use a sleeping bag or some form of bedding. - Check for a water source nearby. - Citronella candles and insect repellent are keys for a relatively bug-free trip. Source: www.camping.about.com/ cs/advicetips

It's the great-great grandpa of coastal live oak trees.
   Known simply as the Big Tree, this tree at Goose Island State Park, near Rockport, is believed to be at least 1,000 years old - hundreds of years older than most live oak trees.
   It's also a tourist attraction. Thousands of folks visit Goose Island State Park every year, and most of them view the Big Tree while they're there.
   "It causes people to reflect on their life and the history the big tree's been around to see," said Stormy Reeves, manager of Goose Island State Park. "I think it's just kind of a peaceful setting."
   Considered one of the largest coastal live oaks in the nation, the Big Tree is 44 feet tall, has a trunk that's 35 feet in circumference and has a crown that's 90 feet across.
   Park authorities have taken measures to extend the tree's life. Workers in the past have installed lightning rods near the tree and have built braces beneath some of the tree's massive limbs.
   A fence was built around the tree to keep visitors' footsteps from getting too close and packing the soil so much that it would keep oxygen from getting to the roots. The tree also undergoes periodic light pruning and fertilizing.
   Experts have said the tree could live another few hundred years, barring damage by a hurricane or some other catastrophe.
   And for folks who want to spend some quality time not too far from the Big Tree, Goose Island State Park has camping facilities.
   GOOSE ISLAND STATE PARK
   (361) 729-2858
   Directions: Ten miles northeast of Rockport on Highway 35 to Park Road 13, then two miles east to park entrance.
   Details: Facilities include open cabana shade-shelter campsites with water and electricity on the island near the bay and campsites with water and electricity in a heavily shaded area. There are also restrooms with showers, a double-lane boat ramp, a 1,620-foot fishing pier and playground areas. Although located on Aransas Bay, this park has no swimming area.
   Other camping sites
   Padre Island National Seashore
   (361) 949-8068
   Directions: After crossing the JFK Causeway and the bridge onto Padre Island, continue about 10 miles south on Park Road 22.
   Details: The 66-mile-long Padre Island National Seashore features several camping areas, but all are on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no reservations. Camping permits are required and available at the park's visitors' center.
   Bird Island Basin is located on the Laguna Madre, about 4 miles from the national seashore visitors' center. A $5-per-day or $10-a-year fee is charged in addition to the park-entrance fee. It is suitable for RV and tent camping. The area also has a good spot for windsurfing and a boat-launching ramp.
   Malaquite's campsites are about 100 feet from the beach and have an unobstructed view of the water. Camping costs $8. The campsites provide toilets, rinse showers and picnic tables. There are 26 sites for tent or RV camping, 16 for RVs only and eight for tents only.
   Yarborough Pass, which doesn't charge a fee, is located on the Laguna Madre about 15.5 miles south of the visitors' center. There are no facilities or designated campsites.
   There is no charge to camp on North Beach. Space is usually available and is open to RV and tent camping. There are no facilities and no designated sites. Camping is permitted from the dunes to the water's edge and from the park's northern boundary to the northern boundary of closed beach.
   There is also no charge to camp on South Beach. There are no designated sites, but the camping area extends from the dunes to the water and from the end of Park Road 22 down 60 miles to the southern boundary of the park at the Mansfield Channel.
   Mustang Island State Park
   (361) 749-5246
   Directions: After crossing the JFK Causeway toward Padre Island, turn left on State Highway 361 and go five miles north to the park headquarters.
   Details: Facilities near the headquarters include campsites with water and electricity, and restrooms with showers. South of the main swimming area are undesignated campsites and showers for rinsing. The five miles of open beach allow for hiking and biking.
   Choke Canyon State Park
   (361) 786-3538 South Shore_(361) 786-3868 Calliham
   Directions: The Choke Canyon State Park is divided into two units - South Shore and Calliham. South Shore is 3 1/2 miles west of Three Rivers on Highway 72. Calliham is 12 miles west of Three Rivers on Highway 72.
   Details: At South Shore, facilities include camp sites with water and electricity, walk-in camp sites with water in the area, quarter-mile hiking trail, quarter-mile birding trail, six-lane boat ramp, two-lane auxiliary boat ramp, canoe/boat launch and baseball and volleyball areas.
   This part of the park also allows equestrian use.
   The Calliham area, which at 1,100 acres makes it almost three times the size of South Shore, has camp sites with water and electricity, four primitive camp-site areas (no reservations), a gymnasium, a pool, two miles of hiking trails, a mile-long bird trail and a wildlife viewing blind. There are also tennis, volleyball and basketball courts available.
   Lake Corpus Christi State Park
   (361) 547-2635
   Directions: The park is 35 miles northwest of Corpus Christi and 4 miles southwest of Mathis. It's located on Park Road 25, off Highway 359.
   Details: Besides camping, this is also a quality spot for fishing, picnics, bird watching and hiking. Swimming is also available, although it's unsupervised. Motors are allowed, so water skiing is another option. There are different campsites to choose from, ranging from those with just water, to those with water, electricity and sewer.