On our way home from camping on Friday we stopped at the US Army Corp of Engineers dam (Town Bluff Dam ) that was responsible for the reservoir we were camping next to. It was the first time Laura and Colin had seen an actively controlled dam. Laura thought it was cool (so did I). 

I then took an unplanned turn on the way home and we ended up at the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitors Center.(Big Thicket National Preserve) It was a great side trip! The kids got to learn all about the oldest nature preserve in the USA, and they did some activities to become Jr Park Rangers!  They loved the hands on discovery center.  We will add some more National Parks activities to the summer list.