I remember one summer when I was much, much younger and my family took a weeklong tour of some state parks. We spent the night in a cabin at Buescher State Park. We visited Bastrop State Park, Pedernales Falls State Park and more.

Okay, my parents may have been cheap, but it was a great experience. So I was sad to read that at least 18 state parks may have to close if Guv Goodhair requires a 10 percent cut from the department's spending. It will most likely be the smaller state parks that get closed down, such as historic sites that lack visitors.

It's very disappointing (but honestly not surprising) to read that Texas ranks 49 out of 50 in its parks spending. Yikes.

Earlier this month, the Startlegram did a series on the pitiful current state of our parks system. It seems the decline in quality and services (And funds) has mostly taken place under our current guvner. So . . . Rick Perry hates our park system. There, we said it, and the Startlegram agrees with us. Sort of.

Although funding for Texas parks slowly began to evaporate more than a decade ago, much of the slide occurred the watch of Gov. Rick Perry, who took office in 2000.

While the state budget has grown 42 percent under his tenure, the budget for parks has gone down. Perry also recently called upon all state agencies to submit spending plans for the upcoming two-year budget cycle that include additional cuts of 10 percent -- meaning the parks division is likely to face more reductions.