Texas becomes one of the last states to adopt a ban on texting and driving. It is something that has been in the works since 2011 and was passed but vetoed by then Governor Rick Perry. A number of Texas cities have adopted their own texting and driving laws.  This state law will cover only texting and will prohibit a driver from using hand held devices to “read, write or send electronic messages.” It goes into effect Sept. 1, 2017.

But it may change before that time. Governor Greg Abbott, who signed House Bill 62 into law, has called a special session on July 18 to further work on the ban because it did not meet all of his expectations. Of most concern to him is that the law needs to pre-empt any city laws already in place regulating mobile devices. He would like the laws to be consistent state wide. This would greatly impact at least 45 Texas cities, including El Paso, San Antonio, Denton and Austin, whose laws are currently stricter.

This law makes texting while driving within the state punishable by a fine of $25-$99 for 1^st offenders and $100-$200 for repeat offenders. It does not address “hands-free” issues that are outlined in some city laws. Texas does forbid cell phone use in school zones and by bus drivers.

In 2014, 3,179 people in the U.S. were killed due to distracted driving, with 431,000 injured. The prime culprit to distracted driving these days is cell phone use. It is estimated that texting while driving makes a car accident 23 times more likely to happen.

This is a good ban and a necessary one. Texans will be safer if we will embrace these rules. And when the rules of the road need to be reviewed, just log into Wirelessdefensivedriving.com.

Little known fact – this year marks, more or less, the 150^th anniversary of the Chisolm Trail. And what is that you ask? In simple terms it was the route taken by Cowboys herding Longhorns north to Kansas. But the complexities are mind blowing.

Following the Civil War, Texans were in dire straits where work was concerned. Returning Confederate soldiers and a busted economy made jobs scarce. The one thing we had a lot of was Longhorns, outnumbering people 6:1. Prices here were modest but back East you could get 10 times the price. Figuring out how to transport them was the issue. It turned out to be so difficult, what with stampedes, river crossings, Indian tribes and such that (long story short) the trail was established only to Abilene, Kansas, where a train depot promised transport farther east.

In Texas the stories of trail life are plentiful but there are ways to personally experience some of the lore. Check out the Chisolm Trail 150 website for specific events but here are a few highlights:

1853. King Ranch in Kingsville. Established by Richard King in 1853. A visit here includes a museum, Longhorn watching and tour of the ranch.
1854. Cuero’s Chisolm Trail Heritage Museum. Open since 2013, this is the best way to experience the realities of the trail, with a chuck wagon replica and interactive cowboy exhibits.
1855. Waco Cow Toll Bridge. In 1870, Waco opened the suspension bridge that made easier work of traveling the Brazos River, for a price. Now walking the bridge is one of the city’s favorite activities, along with viewing the Longhorn sculptures in the adjacent park.
1856. Fort Worth Stockyards. One of the best places to truly learn about the Chisolm Trail, with Longhorns on parade twice a day and a “cow camp” on weekends. The stockyards are known for their accuracy, down to all the attire.
1857. Fort Griffin Longhorns. A special breed and a sight to see. Assembled in 1941 as the state’s “official herd”, these majestic creatures differ in their horns and color variations.

Whatever your reason for taking on the Chisolm Trail, you will not go away unimpressed. And on your travels remember to drive safely. Should you need any Defensive Driving pointers make sure to log into Wirelessdefensivedriving.com.

Celebrate Mosquitos? Where Else but Texas!!!!

But it is true. In Clute, Texas (55 miles southeast of Houston, near the coast) they not only celebrate them, they have a festival named for them – The Great Texas Mosquito Festival. Why? Let’s take a look.

Celebrating 37 years, the festival is scheduled for July 27, 28, 29 and attracts 13,000 plus visitors a year. In 2014 The Top Events USA named it as one of the Top 20 events and festivals in and around Houston. created, honestly, to encourage tourism in the city of Clute, it includes a “Mosquito Chase” 5 K Run and 600 meter Kids run on Saturday, Mosquito Calling and Mosquito Legs contests.

But why mosquitos? Have you not been to the Texas coast? The story (tale) goes that a mosquito, “Will-Man-Chew”, came across Clute in 1981 and liked what he saw.  Deciding to settle there, he brought together his ambassadors or “Swat team” to every year present three fun-filled days of special events, games, food, carnival rides and contests, craft booths, cook-offs and much more, honoring him and his fellow mosquitos. That’s the story and they’re sticking to it, in fact, you can meet Willie at the festival – unless, of course, you are wearing bug spray.

Go online to www.mosquitofestival.com for all the information you need on this unique Texas festival and make plans to visit Clute. Especially check out their music lineup – over the years there have been some notable names, such as Asleep at the Wheel in 1982, Selena in 1994, Three Dog Night in 1996, Ronnie Milsap in 2000, Marshall Tucker Band in 2005 and The Texas Zydeco Band in 2008.

Wherever you head in Texas this summer don’t forget your sunscreen, bug spray and Rules of the Road. Safety on the Texas highways is our priority. Log into WirelessDefensiveDriving.com for all your safe driving information or just to dismiss a ticket.

TEXAS IS WILD – WITH FLOWERS THAT IS!!

This time of year it is a great pleasure to travel the roads of Texas and take in the many colors that are Texas wildflowers. These stunning displays used to be grouped together and talked about as a whole. But there are many varieties and the best known have their own folktales. Let’s travel down the road a bit and take in some color.

Always singled out of the group is the bluebonnet. It tends to be one of the earliest and most vibrant bloomers. Comanche lore tells of a bitter winter when the medicine men thought they would need to sacrifice their prized possessions to placate The Great Spirit and one of the young girls took her doll that was adorned with blue jay feathers and when all were asleep she burned it and scattered the ashes in the wind. The following morning the hillsides were covered in blue.

Although traditionally blue, horticulturists have been experimenting with the variants on color. So now it is not unusual to find white, pink or a lovely shade of red. The pink ones have a legend of their own. It is told that a grandmother near San Antonio, many, many years ago, told her grandchildren that the pink ones had been found along a river downstream from the Alamo. It had been white but so much blood had been shed that it turned it pink. She said to always remember that the pink ones are a symbol of the struggle to survive and those who died to set Texas free.

Similarly, the well-known Indian Blanket wildflower is said to have been all yellow but when Cortes invaded Mexico in 1519 the flowers were permanently stained by the blood of the Aztecs. This is only one of the many tales of Texas wildflowers but represents how tied these legends are to bloodshed.

The two wildflowers are well known but another also dominates the landscape. No spring bouquet would be complete without Indian Paintbrush. It often accompanies bluebonnets because it is a parasitic plant – meaning it relies on other plants to grow. It can also be called Painted Lady, Prairie Fire and Butterfly Weed. Native American folklore dictates that an artist asked The Great Spirit for guidance on where to find colors to paint a sunset. The Spirit told him where to find brushes with vibrant colors and as he painted on a hillside, he discarded the brushes on the ground.  The next morning, you guessed it, the hills were covered in Indian Paintbrush. At least this one is not dominated by bloodshed.

There are too many Texas wildflowers to list and discuss. For more information on this, you cannot beat Texas Highways magazine and an article by Jane Kellogg Murray.

As you drive the highways and byways of Texas try to stop and smell the…..wildflowers? Whatever your destination, stay safe and for all your driving safety needs log into WirelessDefensiveDriving.com.

Make a Resolution to take Defensive Driving in the New Year!

It’s true, it’s true….. While browsing suggestions online for automotive New Year’s Resolutions, we came across a site that, among other things, suggests that everyone take a defensive driving course in the New Year to help fix bad driving habits and establish some new, good ones. Really, you can check it out at Autonxt.net. If you are reading this blog you are already in the right place to make that resolution come true – WirelessDefensiveDriving.com!

So yes, it was on the list but there were many other great ideas in addition to taking a course. In no particular order, here are a few suggestions for ways to make your car better and you safer in the New Year:

Change Your Oil on Time

This is one area that many websites emphasize when it comes to paying attention to your car’s needs. It not only extends the life of your car but cuts down on wear and tear. Put it on your calendar now.

Be More Chill

Vow to calm down on the road this year. That is if you are prone to road rage. Allow people extra space in front of you instead of tailgating. Don’t cut people off or fly into a rage if they cut you off. Relax a bit more and focus on good driving habits.

Get a General Check Up

Have a professional check over your vehicle this year to be sure nothing has worn out and is about to create a problem. Have a qualified technician check your brakes, tires, hoses, belts and battery. A little preventive care can buy a lot of peace of mind.

Check Your Insurance

The beginning of the year is a great time to review your insurance coverage. Did you add someone this year? Do you have enough coverage for your young drivers who tend to get into more accidents? After you have an accident is the wrong time to find out that your coverage is inadequate.

Vow Not to Text

This is perhaps the best resolution. Make a promise to not text and drive and you will be safer in the long run. There are over 100,000 crashes in Texas a year that are caused by distracted driving with texting being at the top of that list. Do yourself a favor and put the phone down.

Whatever your resolution for 2017, let it be a safe and prosperous year for us all. And look no further than WirelessDefensiveDriving.com should you want a refresher course or need a ticket dismissed.

CHRISTMAS CAUSES AUTO ACCIDENTS? WELL, PISH POSH!

How could this be? How could the season of joy and merriment also be the season of dents and dings?   I think we all know how frustrating it can be to drive around the holidays but several studies have shown that two of the four deadliest days on the road every year are December 23rd and 24th (July 3rd and 4th are the two deadliest). So how do holiday drivers get to this point? Let’s take a look.

According to a 2013 study by the University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety, the six day period that includes Christmas had 18% more auto accidents than the Thanksgiving period and 27% more than the days around New Year’s.  Here are the reasons:

*Drinking and driving. The National Center for Statistics and Analysis reported that about 40% of all fatalities during the Christmas holidays involve alcohol impairment. Of all the times to watch how much we drink, this is one of the biggest. Plan ahead to not be driving.

*Stress. The Holidays can be an exceptionally stressful time, especially close to Christmas Day. People running around trying to finish up shopping and sitting in traffic for long periods of time can try the patience of anyone. Impatience can lead to poor driving decisions or road rage. Calm down, give yourself more time to get things done and stay off the roads during the last couple of days before Christmas.

* Poor vehicle maintenance. Believe it or not people put off important auto maintenance until after the New Year in order to have more money for Christmas. This can cause a number of problems, including breaking down and becoming a liability on the side of the road. Give a gift to yourself and get that work done before the holidays.

Plan ahead seems to be the answer to many of the issues related to Christmas holiday auto accidents. Remember that parking lots will be full so go early and give yourself time to park farther away and walk. Arrange that taxi or Uber on nights you know the partying will be excessive (check out this site drinkinganddriving.org/designated-driver-services). Get your shopping done before those final days and stay off the crowded roads when they become the most dangerous. And always make sure your car maintenance is up to date.

If you just have to get on the roads wait until Christmas Day. According to the University of Alabama study professor David Brown, “Nobody’s out there on the roads. It’s a very safe day. Even Christmas Eve is not as bad, because with the stores closing up early, as many of them do, there’s a cessation of shopping. “

And if you should happen to get a ticket during this holiday season, treat yourself to a candy cane and be sure to log into WirelessDefensiveDriving.com.

Correct Way to Act if Pulled Over by the Police

It seems like the news has a horrible story of a simple “traffic stop” going horribly wrong almost weekly. Although every situation you have heard about was different in the beginning, the ending has been tragic in some situations and a better solution would be to know how to act when being pulled over.

Getting pulled over is easier than you may think. So what do you do if you are getting pulled over?  Experts say that as soon as you see the police officer’s flashing lights or hear the car’s siren, turn on your own emergency flashers. This will inform other drivers that you are the driver who is being pulled over and alert them that you will be slowing down in preparation to pull over.

Search for a safe location to park your car. Remember that the police car will be parked behind you, so find a place that is large enough for two vehicles. Also get over enough so that the police officer can stand next to your car with the least amount of exposure to oncoming traffic. If you are on an interstate or highway, there is usually an adequate amount of space on the right side of the road for you to pull over there. Never pull over on the left side of the road, even if there is a median. If there is a driveway or business parking lot within a very short distance, most police officers find it acceptable for you to slowly drive to such a location before stopping your vehicle. Make sure to communicate your intentions to the officer. You may have to turn the flasher off long enough to signal your intentions to the police officer.

As soon as you have found a place to pull over and park your car, turn off the ignition. Never do anything that the police officer might interpret as an intention to get away, no matter how minor your alleged traffic infraction might be. If it is night time, turn on your interior dome light so the officer can see inside the car and what you are doing.

Immediately roll down your window if you have been pulled over by a marked police car. If you have been pulled over by an unmarked police car, wait until the officer emerges from the vehicle and you can see his credentials before rolling down your window.

It may take several moments for the police office to exit his patrol car. This is normal. He or she may need to communicate with the police station to inform them that a vehicle has been stopped or the police officer may be getting information about your car from your license plate. Be patient. Do not get out of your vehicle at this time. Keep your hands in plain sight on the steering wheel. Positions of 10:00 o’clock and 2:00 o’clock on the steering wheel is located towards the top of the wheel and better than the lower half of the wheel.

When you first begin to initiate conversation with the police officer, remain calm, polite, and respectful. You do not know what situation the officer may have been in before pulling you over. It may have been a life or death situation for them. If you find that you are emotional, try to control your feelings so that the officer can speak with you about the reason he pulled you over. If you are unsure of the reason you were targeted, do not become defensive. The police officer will give you a detailed description of the reason or reasons they have for pulling you over.

The police officer will most likely ask you for your driver’s license and a copy of your vehicle’s insurance policy. Most people keep their insurance card in their glove compartment. Quickly gather these documents and give them to the police officer. If you do not have one of them, tell the officer and give him an explanation for the missing information. IF YOU HAVE AN OPEN WEAPON OR CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE AND OR A WEAPON WITH YOU, TELL THE OFFICER BEFORE YOU REACH FOR ANYTHING.

Be apologetic. No police officer wants to hear a sob story. It is also a bad idea to refute his or her allegations. If you were speeding, insure the officer that you understand the consequences of driving over the speed limit and that you will slow down immediately. If the police officer wants to give you a lengthy lecture about safe driving, listen to it.

If the officer issues you a traffic citation, do not argue or beg. If you are only given a warning, thank the officer for understanding. If the officer only gives you a verbal warning, ensure him or her that you appreciate the opportunity to correct your driving mistakes before having anything put on your driving record. Again, be respectful. Even if you are unhappy with your ticket, remember that you could be pulled over by this same officer again in the future.

After the officer has returned to his patrol car, turn off the emergency flashers, check for oncoming traffic and when the road is clear, turn on your signal, and safely pull onto the main flow of traffic slowly and continue on your way.

While being pulled over by a police officer is by no means a pleasant experience, using common sense and good manners can make it go much smoother than it otherwise might. Be sure to follow the instructions on the traffic citation if you were issued one. Make sure to correct whatever driving mistake caused you to be pulled over in the first place.

Of course the absolute BEST way to avoid the whole situation is to not get pulled over AT ALL!  The best way not to get pulled over is to obey the laws. By seeing driving behavior from the traffic cop’s point of view, you can avoid encounters with the law. A little extra awareness could help you keep points off your driving record and keep down the cost of your car insurance.

Three police agencies and two independent traffic experts loaned their expertise for this list of the most common traffic stops. There were some minor variations in opinion, depending on the police agency. But this list shows you the things to watch out for if you want to avoid getting pulled over by the police.

1. Speeding.This was on everyone’s list, and the reason is simple. The faster you go, the longer it takes to react to an unexpected situation, whether it’s a pedestrian stepping into the street or another car making an unexpected lane change. Braking distances also increase as speed builds, and it takes about 120 feet for a vehicle to stop when it’s traveling 60 mph.

Speeding is common among the police officer’s reasons to write tickets, particularly for speeding, in an attempt to control the “mileage death rate” — the number of people who die per freeway mile. That’s a sobering thought.

Alex Carroll, author of Beat the Cops, which has sold more than 250,000 copies, offers an opinion on how far over the speed limit a driver can go without being pulled over: 5-7 mph “easy,” he says. The officers interviewed for this story confirmed that there’s a “buffer,” but added that the decision to cut a speeder some slack is up to the officer’s discretion.

2. Illegal cell phone use.Distracted driving, usually because of texting or talking on a mobile phone, is high on the list of ticket bait developed by our experts. Although just a few states ban all cell phone use in cars, more than 30 have banned texting behind the wheel. “People think, ‘I’ll just make a quick call,’ or ‘This text will only take a second,'” Officer Bustos says. “But you have to drive as if your life depended on it — because it does.”

3. Hazardous driving.This is a catch-all category for common violations that each of our experts noted. Officer’s say without hesitation: stop sign and stoplight violations, improper lane changes, illegal U-turns, failures to yield and unsafe speeds. California Highway Police officer McElroy says he sees people who apparently have forgotten they’re driving cars: They’re busy shaving, eating and even changing clothes. And what exactly is the violation you’re committing when you’re changing clothes in a car? “Unsafe speed,” he says. “There is no safe speed for pulling a shirt off over your head while driving.”

4. Equipment violations.Everyone knows the movie scene where a cop smashes a taillight to justify a traffic stop. But in real life, there’s little need for that, our experts say. People commit a multitude of code violations all on their own. Leading the list are heavily tinted windows, burned-out headlights, broken windshields, expired tags, the lack of a front license plate and loud exhaust modifications.

5. Following too closely and improper lane changes.These two are a tie. Both of these violations are forms of hazardous driving that police specifically called out. Following too closely can easily cause accidents by shortening a driver’s reaction time. Combine that with cell phone use or texting and it is a recipe for disaster.

An improper lane change means cutting someone off or changing lanes without looking first. Failure to signal can also be added to this ticket but it usually doesn’t initiate the traffic stop — partly because the failure to signal is so common.

A Traffic Cop Critic’s List
Police officers aren’t the only ones keeping track of what gets drivers in trouble. Gary Biller, executive director of the National Motorists Association, which is often critical of law enforcement’s handling of traffic stops, listed some attention-getting moves that the police experts didn’t mention, including:

• Cruising in the left lane of a multilane highway instead of using it only to pass slower traffic          on the right
• Driving more slowly than the normal traffic flow
• Peeling out from a stoplight or stop sign, and squealing tires in general
• Drag racing
• Racking up lots of unpaid parking or traffic violations

These are things that make your car stand out and catch an officer’s eye. Biller adds that plastering the back of your car with offensive bumper stickers and decals will definitely draw unwelcome attention. Carroll agrees that this will increase the chances of a traffic stop, and adds, “This is particularly so if your sticker conflicts with the cop’s views or is a rival of his favorite sports team.”

Watch Your Mouth
Traffic stops often have a tipping point. Because officers have legal discretion in what they can cite you for, saying or doing the wrong thing can compound your problems. Carroll says that a traffic cop might add extra violations if the motorist is belligerent. Act like a jerk and Carroll says, “They’ll write you up for everything else they can.”

Say that a police officer uses this time-honored opening line: “Do you know why I stopped you?” Take a minute before you answer, Carroll says. If you admit guilt or name a specific speed that you were driving, your fate is sealed. Instead, respond courteously but remain vague, he advises. However, “If you have clearly done something wrong, and you sit there and you’re evasive with the cops, it’s not necessarily in your best interest,” he says.

If you plan on contesting the ticket in court it’s really better to say very little. The officer is expected to have a clear recollection of the traffic stop.

A lot of traffic-ticket gotchas — and serious accidents — begin with a frustrated, impatient driver. If you really don’t want a ticket, try chilling out. Put on a relaxing radio station or CD and be patient, because traffic is bad and there will be delays.

Drive Defensively!

https://www.wirelessdefensivedriving.com/

When it comes to parks and refuges in Texas we have more than our fair share. Many are known for great hiking (Colorado Bend State Park, Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Garner State Park and Enchanted Rock, just to name a few), but we came across one renowned for its Fall foliage. Yes, even this year when temperatures have remained high, there will be a Fall and there will be foliage. Want proof? Here’s what you do.

According to Texas Monthly you head just 47 miles southwest of Kerrville to Lost Maples State Natural Area. This somewhat challenging, 4 and a half mile, round-trip hike takes on rugged hills, deep canyons, and skirts the Sabinal River along gentle streams. TM states it the best:

“Start from the East-West trailhead to pass through stands of Uvalde bigtooth maples. Go left at the fork, crossing Can Creek to begin a clockwise loop on the West Trail. (If you take the East Trail, you’ll find some of the park’s best autumn color, as red oaks and Uvalde bigtooth maples turn a warm palette of reds, yellows, and oranges.)”

At this point you begin a steep ascent to a grassy plateau at 220 ft. where you will find a 360 degree view of what you came for: Fall splendor in the form of “undulating wooded terrain before trekking down into Mystic Canyon, marked by spring-fed pools and stair-stepped ravines adorned with colorful maples. The trail eventually turns east to follow Can Creek, which flows into several deep ponds fringed with cattails.”

And when you get hungry from all that hiking you can hop over to the Lost Maples Café in Utopia (that sums it up!) for what is described as comfort food in an historic old building built in 1904. Just looking at the menu will have you racing for your car keys (and don’t forget their world famous pies!).

And if you head to Lost Maples State Natural Area or any other wonderful Texas Park be sure to obey the rules of the road and should you meet one of our fine officers on your trek and need to take defensive driving, just log into WirelessDefensiveDriving.com. We are here for you.

….IT’S TIME FOR THE STATE FAIR AGAIN!!!!

Food, fun and rides are all elements of the State Fair of Texas. The annual celebration this year runs from Sept. 30^th – Oct. 23^rd , with gates generally open from 10 to 10 daily. Whether you are there just for a deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich or to enjoy the livestock exhibitions, the Fair has seen great success since its simple beginnings in 1886.

In that year there was one group that wanted to develop fair grounds, but they argued over where to build it, so broke into two groups. One group built in the current location and the other just north of the city. That first year was not very successful so in 1887 the groups merged their efforts once more and purchased more land in the current location to include a horse racing track.

When gambling on horses was outlawed in 1903 the group was forced to sell to the City of Dallas, with an agreement that each fall there would be time set aside for the annual exposition. And it has been that way every year since, with only one exception. In 1918 the State Fair was canceled due to World War I and the park converted into a temporary Army encampment.

Undoubtedly there have been changes over the years, especially in safety, of the rides and the fairgrounds in general. When going to the fair there are things you can do and keep in mind in order to make the outing as carefree as possible. These include:

*Know how you are getting there and what the weather will be like. Check out the DART schedule for real convenience.

*Dress comfortably, with good shoes and don’t forget the sunscreen!

*If you are in a group, set up a meeting spot from the start in case your group gets separated.

*Keep track of where exits are in case of an emergency where you have to leave the park quickly.

*Follow all the safety guidelines for rides. They are there for a reason

*Stay hydrated, especially if consuming alcohol.

*Stay sharp and look over rides carefully before getting on in case there are obvious mechanical problems.

For more information about this year’s State Fair of Texas go to bigtex.com. And anytime you need more information about the Rules of the Road just log on to WirelessDefensiveDriving.com.

A Mermaid adventure awaits you!

I love the magazine Texas Highways, especially if I am looking for something kind of different to do in this great state.  While checking out the Fall, 2016 schedule of events, I became aware of the most amazing thing – we have mermaids in Texas! Or at least in San Marcos. The Mermaid Society SMTX, according to their website, mermaidsocietysmtx.com, is “a grassroots community organization committed to connecting community partners to work creatively in support of the arts, river stewardship, historic preservation and a local living economy”. Well, that seems a little dry, so sit back and let me tell you a story.

The springs of the San Marcos River in central Texas are extraordinary. They are the life source for one of the longest-inhabited places in North America and the primary habitat for several endangered species, including a blind salamander found nowhere else on earth.  But did you know they used to be world famous for something else – a submersible theater or Aquarena, giving audiences a window into the world of mermaids.

After General Edward Burleson bought the land in this area in 1845 and damned the headwaters to run a grist mill, it was bought by A.B Rogers in 1924. Rogers put a small resort hotel there and added glass bottom boats, allowing riders to see through the clear waters to the aquatic ecosystem some 30 feet below.  

Roger’s son, Paul, founded Aquarena Springs in 1949 and brought mermaids along with the deal. For years the underwater shows were famous and even earned a spread in Popular Mechanics in 1952.

Eventually ticket sales dwindled and the property was bought by Texas State University in 1994. The university restored Aquarena’s glass bottom boats, but converted the site into an environmental preservation and research center.

The work to preserve this water wonder is continued by the Mermaid Society SMTX. The mermaid, says the society, is “the protector of our river and all its inhabitants. Her image is meant to serve as a symbol for our city to remind all to respect and protect the natural beauty and resources of our river for generations to come”.

So how does this tie into the Fall schedule for Texas Highways? On September 16, 2016, the Mermaid Society Ball will be held at The Meadows Center in San Marcos and the next day, September 17, is the Mermaid Parade and Splash in downtown San Marcos. Starting at 10 am, the downtown parade will feature floats, marchers, music and “all things San Marcos”.  Sounds like a wonderful early fall trip and a chance to discover that mermaids do live in our state. Check out their website for more details.

When driving to San Marcos or anywhere in Texas, be sure to obey the rules of the road. And to learn what those rules are, log on to WirelessDefensiveDriving.com. Here is a map with the address of the Mermaid Society. You can also find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mermaidsocietysmtx/