Heard Museum plans five-day Caddo Lake expedition

by PegNews wire

Blow the dust off your pith helmet: McKinney's Heard Museum is planning a five-day, adventure-packed natural history expedition to one of the wildest places in Texas: Caddo Lake.

Caddo is the only natural lake in the state (meaning no dam was required to impound its waters); it's also the site of the region's newest national wildlife refuge.

The Heard's wildlife biologist, Roger Sanderson, will lead the group activities, as participants canoe into (and, hopefully, out of) galleries lined with ancient cypress, draped with Spanish moss and brimming with wildlife of the swimming, crawling, and flying varieties.

According to the Heard: "This swampy ecosystem is home to a myriad of unique wildlife like alligators, gar, huge turtles, and colorful birds like the giant Pileated Woodpecker and the delightful Prothonotary Warbler. In the fall, the cypress trees turn a vivid yellow and the sweetgums are bright hues of red and gold."

Sounds like a nature photographer's dream come true.

Here's a day-by-day rundown of planned activities:

Wednesday (Oct. 21) - Canoe trip led by Heard wildlife biologist Roger Sanderson.

Thursday (Oct. 22) - Flat-bottom boat tour conducted by the best local guide; introduction to the newly-opened Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Friday (Oct. 23) - More exploration by canoe; trip to historic Jefferson, TX, famous for antiques (attn. shoppers!) and southern charm.

Saturday (Oct. 24) - Yet more exploration by canoe; ride on a period-authentic steamboat; delicious (it says here) catfish dinner.

Sunday (Oct. 25) - Return trip to the Heard.

At a cost of $950 per person, everything is included. Accommodations will be at the Hodge Podge Cottages, right on the lakeshore.

To register, or for more details, send an email to: smann@heardmuseum.org. The registration deadline is Sept. 21.

posted by JM