Bats flying through the sky at dusk.

Old Tunnel State Park

Here’s very spooky day trip, just in time for Halloween:

Just outside of Fredericksburg, Texas you can find three million bats living in an old railroad tunnel! You can even watch them emerge as they take flight each sunset in a huge “batnado” so big it makes its own wind.

A park ranger holds up a photo of a bat.

I was impressed by the talk the ranger gave before the bats took off, learning that a bat’s feet are relaxed when gripping (making it easy for them to hang upside-down), they must fall before flight in order to catch air (and if grounded, will climb a tree to jump off), and they give birth hanging from their hands so they can catch their baby with their feet!

A dark tunnel through a rocky cliff.

The tunnel has an interesting history, being hand-carved by locals to encourage travel to and from Fredericksburg.

Historical sign that reads: "In 1913 area residents raised money to build a railroad linking Fredericksburg to San Antonio. The 920-foot tunnel beneath this hill increased the cost by $134,000 and required five months of hard labor. It opened a faster trade route for area merchants and farmers. Each time passenger trains entered the tunnel, small rocks, loosened by engine exhaust, were removed from the track and the windows closed to keep out coal smoke. The railroad operated until 1942 when the trackage was sold for scrap."

Old Tunnel State Park is a beautiful place to watch the sunset and catch the “violet crown” the area is known for.

When planning your trip, make sure to grab your tickets in advance and stay updated about bat flight times (they head south for the winter but return each May).

ART SHOWS AND ROAD TRIPS

I’m busier than usual, and just returned from The Infrathin Artist Residency, a camping trip at Seminole Canyon, and a road trip to North Carolina for an Alumni Art Exhibition!

I’ll have photos from those trips for you as soon as possible, but I’m also catching up from a wonderful closing party for my art show at Zilker Brewing Co, finishing a commissioned painting of Austin’s Zilker Park, and sharing and selling my art at the Austin City Limits Music Festival as part of the Clover + Maven shop! and…

You can find my art at these upcoming exhibitions and events:

Holiday Market
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
November 14 – December 24, 2025
6100 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX

Austin Studio Tour, Outdoor Art Market
November 15-16, 2025, 12-6pm
Art For The People
2801 S I-35 Frontage Rd Suite #130, Austin, TX

Smaller Than A Bread Box: A Tiny Works Community Exhibit
November 21 – December 21, 2025
Opening Reception: November 21, 2025, 6-9pm
Dogseye Gallery, Eye Of The Dog Art Center
405 Valley View West Rd, San Marcos, TX

It’s a busy time of year for artists, but I’m still making time for my favorite holiday – Happy Halloween!

THINGS I’M LIKING

Reading Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel by Loretta J Ross – we probably all need to read this book right now.

Watching Cabaret, the 1972 award-winning film staring Liza Minnelli – it is fabulous!

Eating the Hot Chocolate Gianduja Cake at Red Ash – everything I tried was delicious, but this dessert stole the show!

And anything spooky!