In last week’s column, I offered my suggestions on what all Texans should do sometime in their lifetime. This came after I saw an article in Texas Monthly entitled “63 things all Texans should do before they die.”

I decided to recommend my own list of what Texans should do. Some are on the magazine’s list, and others are my own ideas.

One of our joint suggestions is to take your child fishing on Caddo Lake. I did that a number of years ago. My son and I rented a canoe and paddled around a portion of the lake. We didn’t catch any fish, but it was a unique experience paddling through the largest cypress tree forest in the country. Caddo is the largest natural lake in the South.

At the other end of the state is the Trans Pecos, the mountainous desert region in far West Texas. In my opinion, it is the most unique area of Texas, and I am amazed at the number of Texans I know who have never traveled to that area to visit Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains.

I would recommend viewing Santa Elena Canyon as the sun comes up in the morning and watching the sun go down through the window in the basin of the Chisos Mountains.

One road trip the magazine recommends -- and I concur -- is a drive along the El Camino Del Rio (The River Road), State Highway 170 from Study Butte to Presidio. The 70-mile road travels through Lajatis, Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area and Fort Leaton. It is a very scenic drive that parallels the Rio Grande River.

For the more adventurous traveler, from Presidio drive north another 36 miles to Ruidoso, then turn right on a gravel county road and proceed up the Pinto Canyon Road to Marfa. The last 25 miles or so are paved, but the lower half is rough as it winds up the canyon on the north side of the Chinati Mountains.

It is one of the most desolate areas of the state, and there is no cell phone or radio service on the road. I have traveled it several times and would recommend driving in a pickup or SUV, as the road can be very rough especially after heavy rains.

Of course, if you are anywhere near Marfa, all Texans should see the Marfa lights or at least say they have seen them.

TxDOT has constructed a viewing area south of U.S. Highway 90 several miles east of Marfa. I have visited the park a couple of times and have seen some lights, but I did not know if they were the Marfa lights or the lights from automobiles driving on U.S. 67.

From Marfa, drive to Fort Davis and then take the scenic route through the Davis Mountains. Stop at the McDonald Observatory to see the telescopes.

There are many other things Texans should do that are too numerous to mention, however a few other ideas would be to eat a kolache at the Czech Stop in West, eat a brown derby ice cream at Dairy Queen, and take a walk along the Riverwalk in San Antonio and dine at one of the outdoor restaurants along the way.

One thing Texas Monthly does not mention, and I do not understand why, is the Alamo. I think it is a must that all Texans visit the Alamo, the cradle of Texas liberty. Be sure to take your children, so they will know the story of how our state came to be.

Also, visit the Battleship Texas and the nearby San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Park, where Texas won its independence from Mexico. Be sure to ride the elevator to the top of the San Jacinto Monument for a spectacular view of the battlefield and countryside.

There are many good books about Texas. In my opinion, a must-read is the late Elmer Kelton’s “The Time It Never Rained.”

Several years ago, I read a magazine article that asked people -- both famous and ordinary Texans -- to name their favorite place in the state. I only remember the comment by Kelton who said, “Anywhere in Texas west of Interstate 35.” I agree with him.

Last but not least, all Texans should learn the Pledge to the Texas Flag. “Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”

Former Soil Conservation Service employee and longtime writer Mat Taylor offers his outdoors column for Dispatch Record readers. He can be contacted at (254) 518-2262 or via e-mail at mntaylor@wildblue.net.