Texas
State Pride|Need to Know

Beware Of The Toxic Blue Dragon Sea Slugs Washing Up On Texas Beaches

Toxic blue dragon sea slugs are washing up on Texas beaches, posing a painful sting threat to beachgoers.

Updated Mar 18, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

As if the great white shark off Sabine Pass and last year's giant seaweed blob weren't enough cause for a headache, the Texas coast has another threat to contend with. Toxic sea slugs known as "blue dragons" are washing up on Texas beaches, and their sting can be as painful as that of the notorious Portuguese man o' war. Here's everything you need to know about the blue dragon sea slugs in Texas:

If you see a creature that looks like this on a Texas beach, steer clear. Colloquially known as "blue dragons," these sea slugs might be beautiful, but they're also quite dangerous.

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Nobuhiko Kimoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

The formal name for the blue dragon sea slug is Glaucus atlanticus. It is a small mollusk that lives in the open ocean, so beachgoers rarely get to see it in person.

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Wikimedia Commons Sylke Rohrlach from Sydney - Blue dragon-glaucus atlanticus

Known for their bright, almost electric-blue color, the creatures usually swim upside down. This is done in an effort to ward off enemies with their brilliant hue, as most of it is located on the underside of their bodies.

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Wikimedia Commons/Sylke Rohrlach from Sydney - Blue dragon-glaucus atlanticus

Blue dragons feed almost exclusively on the Portuguese man o' war, a jellyfish-like creature that packs a seriously painful sting. The blue dragon then steals the toxins secreted by the man o' war's sting and takes them for itself.

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Bruno Guerreiro / Moment via Getty Images

Although blue dragons seldom wash up on beaches since they are open-water animals, strong winds can cause them to come ashore. Recently, the creatures have been spotted on several South Texas beaches, including on North Padre Island in Corpus Christi.

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Texas Parks & Wildlife

Pictured here is Mustang Island State Park, which is also in Corpus Christi and frequently sees blue dragons on its shores.

Experts warn not to touch the blue dragon sea slug, as its sting can be incredibly painful. If you are stung, the best remedy is to mix vinegar and meat tenderizer into a paste and apply it to the affected area.

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Flickr Mike Mozart

Have you ever seen these toxic sea slugs in Texas? If so, tell us all about your encounter in the comments! Don't let the slugs scare you away from Mustang Island State Park. It has pearly white sand and clear water, and it's the perfect place to enjoy some fun in the sun.

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State Pride|Need to Know

The Up-and-Coming City in Texas That’s Perfectly Sized

With a population of roughly 95,000, Georgetown is one of the best up-and-coming cities in Texas. It's the best of both worlds, allowing visitors to enjoy world-class dining, shopping, and events without being overwhelmed by large crowds, bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Published Oct 9, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

Cities have their perks — the lights, the activities, the restaurants, and the almost electric energy that comes from having so many people in one place, just to name a few — but they also have plenty of downsides. Personally, I prefer smaller cities that are too large to be considered towns, but still close-knit enough to have a strong sense of community. These types of cities are the best of both worlds because they allow you to enjoy world-class dining, shopping, and events without being overwhelmed by large crowds, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and a general sense of chaos. One such place is Georgetown, Texas. With a population of roughly 95,000, it’s one of the best up-and-coming cities in Texas and ranks among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. (but don’t worry — it’s not going to be like Houston or Austin any time soon). There’s so much to do here, yet it still has that small-town charm where locals know each other by name.

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The architecture of Courthouse in Georgetown, Texas with street view, cars, greenery at sunset

Located just 30 miles north of Austin, Georgetown is perfect for those looking to experience the splendor of the Texas Hill Country without getting caught in the rat race. Its downtown district is full of buildings (many of which boast stunning Victorian-style architecture) listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the majestic Williamson County Courthouse. Georgetown is also home to the oldest university in Texas, Southwestern University.

Whether you’re just visiting or planning on making a move to the city, you’ll be neither bored nor overstimulated. From popping into locally-owned boutiques to turning out all the charming bistros and coffee shops to attending seasonal events, Georgetown is ideal for folks who enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the city's signature red poppies while you're strolling through town. If you happen to visit in the spring, the annual Red Poppy Festival takes place every year in April and it is not to be missed.

If you're interested in learning more about Georgetown, the city's tourism website, Visit Georgetown, is a wealth of information. You can also head over to the Visit Georgetown Facebook page.

Have you ever been to Georgetown? If so, do you think it's one of the best up-and-coming cities in Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Check out our previous article to see why Georgetown is one of the best Christmas towns in Texas. If you need a place to stay in town, the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Convention Center gets excellent reviews.

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State Pride|Need to Know

Texas Just Broke Ground On A $3.5 Million State Park Lodge Renovation

Published Dec 15, 2023

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

If you've ever visited the rugged and remote Davis Mountains State Park, then you probably saw the Indian Lodge. This historic, full-service hotel - sections of which date to the 1930s - offers parkgoers a much-needed respite after a day of hiking, biking, and exploring the vast landscape of West Texas. While the lodge was already a bucket-list-worthy place to stay, it's about to get even better thanks to a $3.5 million remodel. Renovations are already underway and the finished product is sure to be worthy of a pilgrimage. Here's everything you need to know about the Davis Mountains State Park Indian Lodge renovations:

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The historic Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park is getting quite a makeover.

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TPWD

Boasting 39 rooms - some of which were built by the CCC in the 1930s - the lodge is an oasis in vast West Texas landscape, offering parkgoers a place to stay overnight after a long day of exploring the beautiful Davis Mountains.

Current amenities include a swimming pool, a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch, a meeting room, Wi-Fi hotspots, and more.

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TPWD

Rooms sleep between two and six guests and offer a wide range of modern amenities, including central heat and A/C, coffee makers, cable TV, and private bathrooms with showers.

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TPWD

Exact amenities vary from room to room, so you'll want to visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website to be sure.

The lodge is currently closed for the remodel and should reopen in January 2024.

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As far as the specifics of the publicly-funded renovation project, it includes replacing windows, building pergolas, upgrading the doors to guest rooms, and making the pool accessible.

Also on the docket are adding new walkways and accessible parking spaces to the grounds.

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TPWD

Reservations will become available as soon as a reopening date is definitively set.

While you can't stay at the lodge right now, that's no reason not to visit the state park.

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Whether you hike or bike one of the many trails, birdwatch, or even ride your horse on one of the equestrian trails, Davis Mountains is an excellent day trip.

I can't wait to book a room at the Indian Lodge in 2024 - it's been on my bucket list for years, and I think I'm finally going to take the plunge.

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I'm sure it's going to look even more incredible once the renovations are finished!

Have you ever stayed at the Indian Lodge? If so, we'd love to hear all about your experience (and your thoughts about the renovations!) in the comments.

Visit Texas Parks & Wildlife for the most up-to-date information, and check out AllTrails for the best hikes in the park.

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