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>> COMING UP ON TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE...
>> ALLIGATOR HUNTING IS JUST NOT LIKE ANYTHING ELSE
I'VE EVER DONE.
I GET ANXIOUS, GET EXCITED, GET NERVOUS.
>> SO I'M GONNA TAKE MY ALLIGATOR MEAT,
GONNA MAKE SURE IT'S NICE AND FULL.
BUT YOU WANT TO LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM THAT YOU CAN TAKE
THE ANCHO CHILI AND WRAP IT BACK AROUND THE MEAT.
>> IF THERE AREN'T ANY BURN BANS,
MINIMIZE YOUR CAMPFIRE'S IMPACT BY USING
AN ESTABLISHED FIRE RING.
>> WE HAVE EVERY KIND OF BILL.
WE HAVE ELECTRIC BILLS, WE HAVE WATER BILLS,
DUMPSTERS THAT NEED TO BE PICKED UP.
(theme music)
♪
♪
>> TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE,
A TELEVISION SERIES FOR ALL OUTDOORS.
THIS SERIES IS FUNDED IN PART BY A GRANT
FROM THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM.
THROUGH YOUR PURCHASES OF HUNTING AND FISHING EQUIPMENT,
AND MOTORBOAT FUELS, OVER 40 MILLION DOLLARS IN
CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE FUNDED IN TEXAS EACH YEAR.
>> ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY RAM TRUCKS.
GUTS. GLORY. RAM.
(Sounds of swamp)
(music)
>> THIS IS THE J.D. MURPHREE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
AND IT'S SUMMER IN THE MARSH.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES IN TEXAS TO HUNT ALLIGATOR.
(splash)
>> ALLIGATORS USUALLY HAVE A SMALL AREA THAT THEY'LL USE
SO YOU CAN KINDA KEEP AN EYE OUT AND SET YOUR LINE WHERE YOU
ACTUALLY SEE AN ALLIGATOR.
>> EVERY SEPTEMBER 100 OR SO LUCKY TEXANS GET DRAWN
TO HUNT GATORS HERE.
>> THE J.D. MURPHREE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA IS ROUGHLY
TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND ACRES OF WETLAND HABITAT.
(airboat)
IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOU'RE WAY AROUND THE J.D. MURPHREE W.M.A.
IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO GET AROUND,
EVERYTHING AT TIMES KINDA LOOKS THE SAME.
AND IT'S IN A PART OF TEXAS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE
HAVE NOT EXPLORED BEFORE.
(music)
>> THAT'S DEFINITELY THE CASE FOR THESE THREE,
MEET SPENCER BURKE, SCOTT MOORE, AND TERRI SCULL.
>> YA HE WAS JUST RIGHT HERE, LOOKED LIKE A SEVEN FOOTER
PROBABLY.
>> THE AREA THAT WE'RE HUNTING IT'S A VAST BAYOU OF SWAMPS
AND MARSHES, WITH CANALS RUNNING THROUGH.
THE ADRENALINE RUSH IS WAY MORE THAN DEER HUNTING
OR ANYTHING ELSE, BECAUSE YOU'RE AFTER SOMETHING
THAT CAN ACTUALLY GET YOU.
(music)
>> THERE'S ONE PROBABLY TEN FOOT AND TWO SEVEN FOOTERS
RIGHT UP HERE, ABOUT 150 YARDS WE'RE GOING TO
TRY AND PUT A SET.
>> SPENCER HAS HUNTED GATORS BEFORE AND IS TAKING
TERRI AND SCOTT OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
>> COME UP HERE AND TRY TO SNEAK UP ON SOME ALLIGATORS
AND SEE HOW BIG THEY ARE.
>> SEE IF THERE ARE ANY SLIDES OR TRACKS.
>> GOT A RUN RIGHT HERE, SO IT'S COMIN RIGHT UP HERE.
>> WE DO ALLIGATOR HUNTING BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING UNIQUE,
IT'S DIFFERENT.
>> THERE HE IS... A PRETTY GOOD ONE TOO!
>> WE'RE OUT IN SORT OF A HARSH ENVIRONMENT WITH THE
SWAMPS AND MOSQUITOS, ALLIGATORS, THE SNAKES!
IT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU CAN'T DO EVERY DAY.
I LIKE THIS OVER HERE.
>> IT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD.
>> USING A LONG CANE POLE...
>> HE'S ALMOST GOT IT!
>> THE IDEA IS TO ATTACH THE BAIT TO A ROPED HOOK
AND DANGLE IT JUST ABOVE THE WATER.
>> HOW HIGH DOES THAT LOOK, 24 INCHES?
>> NO, NO,NO, NO.
THAT'S TOO HIGH, THAT'S WAY TOO HIGH!
IF YOU PUT IT TOO LOW TO THE WATER THE SMALL GATORS
WILL KNOCK IT DOWN OR EVEN TURTLES CAN GET TO IT.
THAT'S GOOD!
>> PERFECT!
>> I THINK THIS SPOTS GOOD.
WE'VE GOT THE WIND DIRECTION THAT WILL CARRY THE SCENT
DOWN THE CANAL AND WE'VE ACTUALLY GOT A GATOR DOWN THERE
LOOKING AT US RIGHT NOW!
>> MR. ALLIGATOR IS DOWN THERE WAITING FOR US TO LEAVE
SO HE CAN GET SNACK TIME AT THREE O'CLOCK.
I LIKE IT, GOOD JOB TERRI!
(boat engine)
>> DEEPER INTO THE MARSH, SPENCER AND TERRI
SET UP THEIR POLES.
>> I DON'T KNOW KINDA GET EXCITED!
NEVER BEEN GATOR HUNTING BEFORE, COME OUT HERE AND SEE PROBABLY
TEN GATORS SO FAR.
YA KNOW YOU SEE EM ON TV, AND SEE THE ALLIGATOR SHOWS
AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHERE THEY'RE
TRAVELING IN AND OUT OF.
(music)
>> OUR BAIT IS CHICKEN THIGH QUARTERS.
>> THOSE SMELL SAVORY!
>> IT'S SAVORY THAT'S FOR SURE!
>> MMMMMM.
>> AND WE LET EM SIT OUT IN THE SUN FOR A DAY OR TWO,
AND THEY GOT QUITE RIPE!
>> UP WIND IS BETTER THAN DOWNWIND WHEN YOU GET
THOSE THINGS OUT!
(water splashes)
>> I LIKE PUTTING MY BAIT ABOUT 18 INCHES ABOVE THE WATER,
HOPEFULLY YOU CATCH A BIGGER GATOR.
>> THAT SMELLS TERRIBLE!
>> I OFFERED YOU ALL SOME OF THIS STUFF.
>> MAN THAT IS PUTRID LOOKING MAN!
(music)
IT STINKS!
>> THAT'S GONNA GET ONE!
>> YA!
>> HOPEFULLY WE'VE GOT EM HIGH ENOUGH WHERE WE'LL GET SOME BIG
GATORS AND WE'LL SEE WHAT WE GOT WHEN WE GO OUT THERE TOMORROW.
(hurricane winds)
>> IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008, HURRICANE IKE BORE DOWN ON
TEXAS, THE HURRICANE NOT ONLY WIPED OUT PARTS OF GALVESTON
AND THE UPPER TEXAS COAST.
(airboat)
ABOUT 100 MILES TO THE EAST, A STORM SURGE HIT J.D. MURPHREE
WITH A WAVE OF SALT WATER.
>> IT WAS REAL EERIE, THE DAY AFTER IKE,
YA KNOW YOU GO OUT THERE WAS NO BIRDS,
THERE WAS NO FROGS NOTHING, IT WAS JUST COMPLETE SILENCE
IT WAS KINDA NERVE-RACKING.
IT KILLED ALLIGATORS FOR MONTHS AFTER IKE LANDED AND IT JUST
DEVASTATED THE LANDSCAPE.
(airboat)
>> BUT OVER TIME J.D. MURPHREE HAS RECOVERED.
NOW THIS COASTAL MARSH IS BACK.
PRIME HABITAT FOR NOT JUST ALLIGATORS,
BUT FOR WADING BIRDS, AND WINTERING WATERFOWL.
(airboat)
BIOLOGISTS GAUGE THE GATOR POPULATION BY CHECKING
NEST SUCCESS.
(cattails crackle)
>> THE NEST IS OVER HERE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S
A FEW GATHERED UP OVER HERE, USUALLY THEY STAY BY THE NEST
FOR QUITE A WHILE.
(chirps from gator babies)
THESE GUYS ARE DAYS EVEN HOUR'S OLD, LITTLE BITTIE GUYS!
HARD TO IMAGINE THIS GUY GETTING TEN FEET LONG.
>> HAH, THEY'RE GOING RIGHT THROUGH MY NET!
THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST YEAR SINCE IKE THAT THINGS KINDA
GOT BACK TO NORMAL, WE HAD MORE NESTING THAN WE HAD IN PROBABLY
EIGHT YEARS THIS YEAR.
SO THAT'S A GOOD SIGN FOR US.
(cattails crackle)
IT'S REALLY NEAT TO SEE EM, NOT ONLY JUST TO BE ABLE
TO SEE ALL THESE BABY ALLIGATORS AND BE HERE JUST MOMENTS
AFTER THEY'VE HATCHED.
BUT JUST TO SEE OUR NUMBERS REBOUND,
SHOWS THAT WE DO HAVE HUNTABLE NUMBERS AND WE HAVE A POPULATION
THAT CAN SUPPORT A HUNT!
(music)
>> IT'S ALMOST LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNING BEING A LITTLE KID
WAITIN FOR SANTA CLAUS TO COME!
>> YOU READY!
>> WE'RE ALL PUMPED UP AND READY TO GO SEE WHAT WE GOT!
>> WOOOOOOOOH!
>> I HAD TROUBLE SLEEPIN LAST NIGHT I WAS SO EXCITED
ABOUT CHECKING THE LINES, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
SOME GATORS ON THIS MORNING!
>> HEY WE GOT ONE GUYS!
>> WE GOT ONE?
>> YEP!
>> OH, HE PULLED ALL THE LINE TOO!
>> HERE WE GO!
HE'S NOT WANTING TO COME NOW!
HERE WE GO!
WHAT YOU THINK HE'S SEVEN FOOT?
>> HE'S OVER SEVEN FOOT!
>> OH, YOU'RE JUST ANTICIPATING, YOU DON'T KNOW REALLY WHAT'S ON
THERE, AND HE'S PULLING AGAINST YOU AND YOU'RE FIGHTING AGAINST,
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HE SHOWS UP AND...
OH THAT'S A GOOD, OH YEAH!
AND THEN IT'S ON THEN!
HE SEES YOU AND YOU SEE HIM!
(splashing)
I AM AMPED UP!
ADRENALINE'S PUMPING.
ALL RIGHT SPENCER, WHENEVER YOU GET READY!
(Gun blast)
SANTA CLAUS WAS GOOD!
(laughs)
>> LOOKS GOOD, NO LINE LEFT!
>> IN THE END IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL MORNING AS
ALL THREE HAD A GATOR ON THE LINE.
>> ALLIGATOR HUNTING IS JUST NOT LIKE ANYTHING ELSE
I'VE EVER DONE.
>> HOLD ON TIGHT TERRI!
>> YOU KNOW THERE'S ONE ON THE LINE AND YOU START
PULLING HIM IN I DON'T KNOW YOU GET ANXIOUS YOU GET EXCITED,
YOU GET NERVOUS.
(music)
>> HE'S NOT HAPPY!
>> YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO CATCH AN ALLIGATOR
UNTIL YOU PULL IT UP AND YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW BIG
IT'S GONNA BE!
>> THAT'S A BIG ONE!
>> HIS TAIL IS ON THE BOTTOM I CAN FEEL HIS TAIL KICK IN
OFF THE BOTTOM.
>> WE WE'RE QUITE SURPRISED TODAY WE'VE GOT A GOOD
EIGHT AND HALF FOOTER AND SEVEN AND A HALF FOOTER
AND PROBABLY A SIX AND A HALF FOOTER.
>> SMILE, SMILE, SMILE, ONE, TWO, THREE!
>> THIS IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE!
IF YOU LIKE TO HUNT AND FISH, OR EVEN IF YA KNOW YOU'RE JUST
INTERESTED IN SOMETHING THAT'S COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN MAYBE
ANYTHING YOU'VE EVER DONE.
I WOULD RECOMMEND IT FOR SURE FOR ANYBODY THAT HADN'T DONE IT.
>> HI THIS IS JEFF MARTINEZ WITH EL CHILE CAFÉ AND CANTINA
IN AUSTIN TEXAS.
I'VE GOT AN EXOTIC RECIPE FOR YOU TODAY,
WE'RE GOING TO BE USING A LITTLE ALLIGATOR.
NOW MOST OF THE TIME WHEN YOU GET ALLIGATOR MEAT
IT'S EITHER GOING TO BE THE JAW OR THE TAIL.
AND IF YOU CAN SEE HERE I'VE GOT SOME ALLIGATOR TAIL
AND IT'S GOT A LOT OF MUSCLE RUNNING THROUGH IT,
SO WHAT I'VE DONE IS I'VE TAKEN THE MEAT AND I'VE GROUND IT UP
IN MY FOOD PROCESSOR AND THAT'S WHAT I HAVE RIGHT HERE.
AND SO WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH THIS TODAY
IS WE ARE MAKING AN ALLIGATOR ANCHO CHILE RELLENO.
(burner ignites)
I'VE GOT A HOT PAN HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO START BY ADDING
SOME EXTRA *** OLIVE OIL TO THE BOTTOM,
JUST ENOUGH TO COAT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN.
SWIRL THAT AROUND MAKE SURE IT'S HOT.
WHEN YOU SEE SMOKE LIKE THAT YOU KNOW IT'S HOT ENOUGH.
WE'RE GOING TO ADD OUR WHITE ONION WHICH HAS BEEN DICED UP.
(pan sizzles)
WHEN YOU HEAR THAT SIZZLE THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT, JUST LIKE THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO LET THIS SAUTÉ, FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES.
(pan sizzles)
AND WHAT YOU WANT IS FOR THE ONION TO KIND OF LOSE ITS
WHITE COLOR KIND OF HAVE AN OPAQUE COLOR TO IT
AND ALMOST BROWNING AT THE ENDS.
WE'RE GOIN TO ADD OUR GARLIC, AND LET THAT SAUTÉ
FOR ABOUT ANOTHER MINUTE.
I CAN SMELL THIS ALREADY IT'S ALREADY STARTIN TO SMELL GOOD.
ALL RIGHT, SO THEN AFTER THAT WE ARE GOING TO ADD OUR TOMATO,
AND LET THAT SAUTÉ FOR A COUPLE MINUTES,
TILL THE TOMATOES ARE BREAKING DOWN.
NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ADD THE ALLIGATOR MEAT.
NOW YOU CAN USE TURKEY, YOU CAN USE CHICKEN, YOU CAN USE PORK,
AND JUST ABOUT ANY KIND OF WHITE MEAT CAN BE SUBSTITUTED FOR
ALLIGATOR IF YOU CAN'T FIND IT.
(pan sizzles)
STILL GOT KINDA A PINKISH COLOR TO IT,
YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO LET THAT KEEP ON COOKING TILL IT
LOSES SOME OF THAT PINK COLOR.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH GOING TO LOOK THE SAME AS A COOKED CHICKEN.
AND IT DOESN'T TAKE VERY LONG, ALLIGATOR IS A VERY LEAN MEAT,
SO THE COOKING TIME IS MINIMAL.
AND THAT'S JUST ABOUT IT.
SO WE'RE GOING TO ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE FLAVOR TO THIS DISH,
BY THROWING IN SOME SLICED GREEN OLIVES,
THAT'S GOING TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF SALTINESS TO IT,
A LITTLE BRINY FLAVOR.
AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO ADD SOME OF THESE RAISINS,
THAT'S GOING TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF SWEETNESS TO THE DISH.
AND WE ARE GOING TO FINISH IT OFF WITH SLIVERED ALMONDS
THAT HAVE BEEN TOASTED.
THAT'S GOING TO PUT A LITTLE BIT OF CRUNCH IN THERE.
YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING IN THERE LOOKS GREAT THERE IS A LOT OF
COLOR IN THERE, A LOT OF COLOR ALSO MEANS A LOT OF FLAVOR.
AND WE ARE GOING TO FINISH IT OFF WITH
SOME FRESH CHOPPED PARSLEY.
THAT'S GOING TO ADD SOME FRESHNESS TO THE DISH,
AND ONCE YOU PUT THAT PARSLEY IN YOU DON'T WANT TO LEAVE IT ON
THE STOVE COOKING FOR TOO LONG, CAUSE YOU STILL WANT THAT
BRIGHTNESS, THAT FRESHNESS FROM THE PARSLEY.
(pan sizzles)
AND THEN FINISH IT OFF WE ARE GOING TO SALT JUST TO TASTE.
AND WE ARE READY TO STUFF SOME CHILES.
WE ARE USING ANCHO CHILES, THAT'S A DRIED POBLANO PEPPER.
SO WHAT I'VE DONE WITH THESE IS I'VE RECONSTITUTED THEM IN A MIX
OF HOT WATER, AND BROWN SUGAR, AND I'VE LET EM SIT FOR
ABOUT SIX HOURS, AND THAT'S GOING TO SOFTEN THEM UP.
I SPLIT IT OPEN, I TOOK OUT THE SEEDS AND I TOOK OUT THE VEINS.
SO I'M GONNA TAKE MY ALLIGATOR MEAT AND I'M GONNA STUFF IT
INSIDE OF THE CHILE JUST LIKE SO,
YOU WANNA MAKE SURE IT'S NICE AND FULL.
BUT YOU WANT TO LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM SO YOU CAN TAKE THE
ANCHO CHILE AND WRAP IT BACK AROUND THE MEAT,
AND MAKE IT LOOK LIKE IT'S NEVER BEEN OPENED,
JUST LIKE SO AND I'M GOING TO SET THAT INTO
AN OVEN PROOF BAKING DISH.
OH THIS SMELLS GREAT, WITH THE OLIVES, THE RAISINS,
THE ALMONDS, EVERYTHING JUST SMELLS FANTASTIC IN HERE.
OK, THERE WE GO THESE ARE READY TO GO IN THE OVEN,
I'VE GOT AN OVEN SET AT 400 DEGREES, I'M GONNA POP THESE
IN FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES JUST TO HEAT EM THROUGH.
(music)
SO THESE LOOK LIKE THEY ARE JUST ABOUT HEATED THROUGH,
I'M JUST GOING TO FINISH THEM WITH A LITTLE HONDURAN CREMA.
AND I'M GONNA GARNISH THEM ON TOP WITH A LITTLE FRESH PARSLEY.
SO THIS IS OUR SOUTH OF THE BORDER TWIST ON ALLIGATOR.
ENJOY!
(music)
>> TEXAS IS A BEAUTIFUL STATE AND WE NEED YOUR HELP KEEPING
IT THAT WAY.
IMAGINE IF EVERY PERSON WHO WENT OUT IN NATURE LEFT BEHIND
A TRACE OF THEIR PRESENCE.
BUT IT IS POSSIBLE TO BOTH PRESERVE AND ENJOY THE
GREAT OUTDOORS.
WE CALL THIS "LEAVE NO TRACE."
FIRST UP, BE PREPARED.
RESEARCH THE AREA YOU'RE VISITING TO FIND OUT WHAT
FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE.
CHECK FOR BURN BANS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT GEAR AND THAT INCLUDES BEING
PREPARED FOR CHANGES IN WEATHER.
ONCE YOU'RE OUT IN THE PARK, STICK TO THE TRAILS.
GOING OFF TRAIL TRAMPLES VEGETATION AND DISTURBS
WILDLIFE.
AND GOING OFF TRAIL COULD LEAD YOU INTO POISON IVY
OR OTHER SURPRISES.
LOOK FOR THE TENT PAD OR FLATTENED AREA
TO PUT YOUR TENT.
IF THERE AREN'T ANY BURN BANS, MINIMIZE YOUR CAMPFIRE'S IMPACT
BY USING ESTABLISHED FIRE RINGS.
BUILD ONLY AS BIG A FIRE AS NEEDED FOR THE COOKING AT HAND.
AND MAKE SURE TO ALWAYS DOUSE YOUR FIRE COMPLETELY.
IF YOU PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.
PROPERLY DISPOSE OF YOUR TRASH IN A DUMPSTER OR TRASH
RECEPTACLE.
YOU CAN ALSO HELP THE RANGERS BY PICKING UP PIECES OF TRASH
YOU FIND.
WANT SOME NATURAL SOUVENIRS?
TAKE PICTURES!
IT'S A VIOLATION OF STATE LAW TO REMOVE RESOURCES FROM THE PARK.
THINGS LIKE ROCKS, PLANTS, AND OTHER NATURAL OBJECTS.
RESPECT WILD ANIMALS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT AND FROM
A SAFE DISTANCE.
NEVER FEED WILDLIFE!
HUMAN FOOD IS HARMFUL, EVEN DEADLY TO WILDLIFE
AND CAN CAUSE THEM TO LOSE THEIR FEAR OF PEOPLE.
AND FINALLY, BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS.
AVOID WALKING THROUGH OTHERS' CAMPSITES, KEEP THE VOLUME DOWN
AND RESPECT THE PARK'S QUIET HOURS SO FOLKS CAN ENJOY THE
SOUNDS OF NATURE.
(music)
JUST THESE FEW SIMPLE THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
THANKS FOR KEEPING TEXAS WILD!
>> INSIDE OUT. LET'S GO!
>> THIS IS THE STORY OF A MAN WHO MANAGES A STATE PARK.
(bat hits ball)
>> HIT IT!
RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN!
RUN ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT!
READY? COME OVER HERE.
GET ON THE BAG.
>> TODD IMBODEN IS THE MANAGER.
(baseball hits bat)
WELL, HERE HE'S JUST A COACH.
>> THROW IT, THROW IT OVER HERE, AUSTIN.
AUSTIN! OVER HERE.
COMING AT YOU, BUDDY.
>> BUT THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT.
>> WHEWWWW!
GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!
>> THIS IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT.
(Todd laughs)
AUSTIN IS THE YOUNGER OF HIS TWO SONS.
(Austin hits ball)
>> GO, GO, GO, GO, AUSTIN, GO!
RUN, AUSTIN!
RUN, AUSTIN!
RUN, AUSTIN!
>> HE'S SEVEN YEARS OLD.
>> STAY RIGHT THERE.
>> THAT'S TRAVIS OVER THERE.
FOR TODD...
>> PALMETTO STATE PARK.
>> ...LIFE IS A SERIES OF BALANCING ACTS BETWEEN
FAMILY...
>> IF YOU COULD UNLOAD THEM RIGHT THERE...
>> ...AND WORK.
>> IF YOU CALL AT EIGHT, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT.
>> THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS FOR THE IMBODENS.
BUT THEY ARE A TEAM.
>> LOOK HERE!
COME ACROSS, BEND YOUR KNEES A LITTLE BIT.
>> AND LIKE ANY TEAM, THEY SINK OR SWIM TOGETHER.
>> DON'T STEP UP.
JUST STEP OUT AND SWING.
DON'T STEP THAT KNEE UP LIKE THAT.
JUST STEP OUT AND SWING.
OK.
(Austin hitting ball)
THAT A BOY, RUN! RUN!
IF YOUR PANTS WEREN'T FALLING DOWN, YOU'D BE DOING GOOD!
PULL YOUR PANTS UP!
(Todd laughs)
>> IF YOU JUMP IN FRONT OF IT, IT'S KIND OF HARD.
>> TRAVIS AND AUSTIN'S HOME HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN A STATE PARK.
(dog barking)
IT'S THE ONLY LIFE THEY'VE EVER KNOWN.
>> WHEN I DO THIS, I GET REALLY TIRED.
>> THEIR COMMUNITY OF OTTINE, TEXAS IS A SMALL ONE,
LESS THAN 100 PEOPLE.
AND IT'S SOMEWHAT ISOLATED, ABOUT TEN MILES FROM GONZALES.
>> THAT WAS COOL.
>> SO, THERE MAY NOT BE ANY GROCERY STORES CLOSE BY,
THE KIDS AND THEIR FRIENDS HAVE LOTS OF THINGS TO DO.
>> BUT HE DIDN'T LOSE ANY LEGS OR ARMS.
>> Narrator on film: PALMETTO STATE PARK IS ANOTHER AREA OF DISTINCTIVE
INTEREST BEING OPEN FOR POPULAR ENJOYMENT.
HARDWOODS, HEAVILY DRAPED IN SPANISH MOSS, AND A WEALTH OF
SEMI-TROPICAL VEGETATION, MAKE IT A BOWER OF BEAUTY FOR
THE LAYMAN AND A TREASURE TROVE FOR THE SCIENTIST.
>> PALMETTO WAS CONSTRUCTED BY THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION
CORPS.
THE STONE BUILDINGS THEY ERECTED ARE STILL IN USE TODAY.
(birds chirping)
>> IT'S ALMOST LIKE A LITTLE LOST TREASURE OUT THERE.
THERE'S SWAMPS IN CENTRAL TEXAS.
NOBODY KNOWS THIS STUFF.
THE LUSH VEGETATION THAT'S HERE, IT'S JUST OUT OF THE
ORDINARY FOR CENTRAL TEXAS.
(sounds of people in river)
>> YEA, WE'RE GETTING SOME PERCH, TOO.
>> BUT WHILE OTHERS GET TO ENJOY THE SCENERY AND BEAUTY
OF THE PARK, TODD GETS TO SPEND HIS DAYS HERE, DOING THIS...
>> WE HAVE EVERY KIND OF BILL.
WE HAVE ELECTRIC BILLS.
WE HAVE WATER BILLS.
DUMPSTERS THAT NEED TO BE PICKED UP.
FUEL.
LOTS OF GAS.
>> THEN HE HAS TO FACTOR IN EXPENSES AND OTHER COSTS MOST
FOLKS DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT.
>> PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THIS IS CONSUMABLE SUPPLIES,
WHICH WOULD BE LIKE...
TOILET PAPER.
I MEAN, THE AVERAGE JOE DOESN'T THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH
TOILET PAPER THE PARK USES EVERY, BUT WE USE A LOT OF IT.
(toilet flushing)
>> RUNNING A STATE PARK IS SORT OF LIKE RUNNING
A SMALL CITY.
TODD HAS TO DEAL WITH LARGE INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES, LIKE
MAINTAINING WATER SYSTEMS, ROADS, AND ELECTRIC GRIDS.
THERE ARE ALSO THE DAY TO DAY CHORES LIKE RESTROOMS TO
CLEAN, CAMPSITES TO GET READY, AND A CONSTANT BARRAGE
OF FIRES TO PUT OUT.
>> AND, AH, COME ON IN.
>> YOU GOT A MINUTE?
>> YEA. WHAT'CHA WANT.
>> COULD YOU STEP OUT HERE FOR A MINUTE.
>> IS IT BAD?
>> SO WITH PHOTOS OF TRAVIS, AUSTIN, AND HIS WIFE ANNALISA
SURROUNDING HIM, TODD MUST ALSO PERFORM
ANOTHER BALANCING ACT.
>> THERE'S MY OPERATING BUDGET.
THAT'S IT.
THAT'S ALL I GOT TO WORK WITH FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
>> ONE PERK OF BEING A PARK MANAGER IS THAT EVERYONE
THINKS YOU'RE COOL AND YOU GET INVITED TO SPEAK AT
FUNCTIONS AND STUFF.
>> WE HAVE MR. IMBODEN, WHO IS THE SUPERINTENDENT
OF PALMETTO STATE PARK HERE IN GONZALES.
>> IN BEAUROCRATIC-SPEAK, THIS IS CALLED OUTREACH.
>> AUSTIN, WILL YOU STAND UP?
THIS IS AUSTIN'S DAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, GUYS.
HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING?
>> GOOD!
>> I WAS 20 YEARS OLD.
I DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT I WANTED TO DO
OR WHERE I WANTED TO GO.
A FRIEND OF MINE, HE TOLD ME HE COULD GET ME A JOB
AND I THOUGH, ALRIGHT!
I'M GOING TO GO GET ME A JOB AT PARKS & WILDLIFE.
I SHOWED UP THAT DAY AND THEY GAVE ME A JANITOR'S CART TO
CLEAN THE BATHROOMS.
(audience laughs)
>> FROM THESE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, TODD'S FIRST
STATE PARK ASSIGNMENT WAS AT BASTROP, FOLLOWED BY STINTS
AT SAN ANGELO AND SEA RIM.
(bell ringing)
>> NOW, AS THE PARK MANAGER AT PALMETTO...
>> Y'ALL COME ON IN.
>> ...HE'S PLUGGED INTO THE SECOND GRADE SPEAKER'S CIRCUIT.
>> MY NAME IS TODD IMBODEN.
I'M THE PARK MANAGER AT PALMETTO STATE PARK.
SOME OF YOU GUYS MIGHT KNOW ME AS COACH.
AND THEN SOME OF YOU GUYS MIGHT KNOW ME AS DAD.
JUST ONE OF YOU, RIGHT?
(laughs)
THIS TURTLE RIGHT HERE IS THE ONE THAT WE'RE GOING TO
PRIMARILY TALK ABOUT, CAUSE THIS ONE IS THE ONE THAT'S
IN A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE.
THIS IS A KEMP'S RIDLEY SHELL.
A LONG TIME AGO WHEN THIS LITTLE BOY WAS JUST BEING BORN,
THIS PARTICULAR TURTLE GOT CAUGHT IN SHRIMP NETS.
THAT'S A BIG TURTLE, ISN'T IT?
SEE HOW BIG HIS HEAD IS?
IT'S ALMOST AS BIG AS YOURS.
>> YOU ALL NEED TO LINE UP QUIETLY, PLEASE.
(Todd laughs)
>> HERE COMES MR. BRADLEY.
LOOK.
>> THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THE IMBODENS WILL STAY HERE
AT PALMETTO.
>> FROM THE SHOT!
>> AS TODD MOVES UP IN HIS CAREER AT PARKS & WILDLIFE...
>> IN!
>> ...THE FAMILY MIGHT EVENTUALLY HAVE TO LEAVE
THE LIFE THEY'VE MADE IN CENTRAL TEXAS.
>> GOT THAT ONE IN!
>> BUT NO MATTER WHERE THEY END UP, AUSTIN AND TRAVIS CAN
TAKE COMFORT THAT WHEN THEIR DAD GOES TO THE OFFICE
IN THE MORNING...
(music)
...HE'LL BE WORKING JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY.
(music)
>> WHERE'S DAD, MOM?
>> HE'S RIGHT OUT THERE.
>> GET READY!
(batter hits ball)
GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!
(music)
>> IT'S A TIE!
IT'S A TIE!
(music)
>> YOU OK?
>> YEA!
>> OK.
>> I CAN BEAT A BABY PIE IN A HUNDRED MILES.
>> WELL, YOU SURE CAN!
YOU ARE FAST, DUDE!
(cell phone ringing)
(Todd sighs)
THIS SERIES IS FUNDED IN PART BY A GRANT
FROM THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM.
THROUGH YOUR PURCHASES OF HUNTING AND FISHING EQUIPMENT,
AND MOTORBOAT FUELS, OVER 40 MILLION DOLLARS IN
CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE FUNDED IN TEXAS EACH YEAR.
>> ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY RAM TRUCKS.
GUTS. GLORY. RAM.