Articles written by Melissa Gaskill

Non-native fire ants injure livestock and wildlife, ruin lawns, displace native insects, damage mowing equipment, cause allergic reactions, and more.

Dec 4, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

In the frenzy of SATs, college visits, applications, and financial issues, many parents forget that youngsters leaving for college need basic skills.

Aug 22, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

The fourth annual South Padre Island Dive Week, September 17-26, 2010 includes contests, prizes, and specials on scuba diving opportunities.

May 3, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

Texas offers more than 30 places to scuba dive, from rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. Dive Around Texas offers prizes for diving 12 times in four different sites.

Apr 6, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

Lacrosse is relatively new in much of the world. Known as the fastest game on two feet, this exciting field game is also America's fastest growing team sport.

Mar 30, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

For young athletes, game day can be stressful. Parents can help make it fun and positive with proper preparation and the right kind of support.

Mar 29, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

Most parents are thrilled when a child wants to play a sport, and cheerfully provide support. It's important, though, that parents keep their eye on the right goals.

Mar 23, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

Coaches can be a big influence on youngsters, for good or bad. It's a parent's job to evaluate potential coaches for his children, and to support positive coaching.

Mar 23, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

This bustling tourist town, about an hour from Austin and San Antonio, offers an abundance of outdoor activities, as well as all the typical comforts.

Mar 13, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

Youth sports programs like Little League and Pop Warner Football were founded so every kid could play and have fun. Today's leagues seem to have lost those principles.

Mar 10, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

This Texas city, near but not on the Texas-Mexico border, offers world-class birding, a vibrant art and restaurant scene, and more in one of the state's safest towns.

Mar 3, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

These spas near Austin and San Antonio boast the usual treatments and luxuries, but also offer opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in the beautiful Hill Country.

Mar 2, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

Bring your kayak to Texas (or rent one here) and paddle a coastal wetland past herons and ducks, or down a fish-filled river through towering pecan trees.

Mar 2, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

These cookies are mixed by hand, which is fun for kids and adults, and contain no eggs, so the dough is safe to eat.

Feb 28, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

Spend an afternoon at a scenic Texas winery, enjoying tastings, tours, and even dinner. Some even have overnight lodging.

Feb 14, 2010 - Melissa Gaskill

Exposure to nature is essential to the physical and emotional health of children, experts say, and it's up to parents to provide that exposure.

Dec 29, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Public murals have long been a form of social commentary in Mexico. Murals of marine life in many Baja California towns support a growing conservation movement.

Dec 5, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

A live animal can make a fabulous present for children, under the right circumstances. But parents (or grandparents, aunts, etc) must think carefully before giving one.

Nov 30, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

This 19-story building, the tallest of Frank Lloyd Wright's works and one of only two vertical projects, today houses the Inn at Price Tower and Price Tower Art Center.

Nov 1, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

In fall and winter, hundreds of female gray whales arrive in lagoons on the Pacific side of Baja California, Mexico. Outfitters get visitors up close.

Sep 3, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

The Mayan Encounter includes rappelling into a Cenote, cleansing by a Maya shaman, swimming in an underground pool, and lunch in an authentic Mayan village.

Sep 1, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

As artificial light invades more of the landscape, skies dark enough for quality stargazing grow rare. Better lighting can solve the problem.

Aug 5, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Fields of sand dunes all around the country, many of them national parks, recreation areas or monuments, or state parks, offer unique outdoor fun.

Jul 15, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

An important part of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, the coral reefs in the Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary face threats and need more protection.

Jul 14, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Every summer brings a mass spawning by coral species at the Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico.

Jul 6, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Even for veteran campers, going with a baby presents unique challenges, and it helps to be prepared and have the right attitude.

Jul 3, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

These destinations feature dark skies at night, professional equipment and, often, knowledgeable guides or amateur astronomers to explain what's in the telescopes.

Jul 1, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

The Lake of the Ozarks area in the rolling hills of Central Missouri offers everything from golf courses to state parks, go carts, fishing, and pleasure cruises.

Jul 1, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

The Davis Mountains in West Texas offer scenery, solitude, and a variety of outdoor activities. High elevation keeps it cooler here in summer than in much of the state.

Jun 29, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Sixteen Texas state parks rent full-service cabins, and others offer limited use cabins. These accommodations make it easy to enjoy a park experience without camping.

Jun 18, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Remote places miles from nowhere offer stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, dark skies, and solitude. Here are ten relatively accessible and affordable getaways in Texas.

Jun 15, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

A bluff in the rolling hills 30 miles east of San Angelo bears hundreds of paintings 1,000 years old or older, some of which accurately mark the solstices.

Jun 12, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

According to bioacoustician Bernie Krause, PhD, human-generated noise is interfering with vital animal communications.

Jun 11, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Texas park facilities feature building design that reflects place and promotes energy efficiency, water conservation, and use of reclaimed and native building material.

Jun 11, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Learn to surf on a Texas beach. Instructors offer individual and group surf lessons suitable for all ages and abilities.

Jun 10, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Hiking through the woods beats sweltering in city heat. These five dog-friendly trails offer escapes just a short drive from Houston.

Jun 9, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Hiking offers one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors, and a dog is great company on the trail.

Jun 8, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Dogs make excellent hiking companions. Proper preparation and supplies can keep a hike from turning hazardous, especially in summer.

Jun 8, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

During summer, visitors to Padre Island National Seashore can observe releases of sea turtle hatchlings, part of a decades-long effort to restore nesting in Texas.

Jun 8, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill

Every summer evening, millions of bats emerge from Devil's Sinkhole near Rocksprings, Texas. Guided tours of the phenomenon being at the Rocksprings visitor center.

Jun 4, 2009 - Melissa Gaskill