The November issue slips behind the Pine Curtain of East Texas and takes readers into the idyllic woodsy landscape of the state’s four national forests: Davy Crockett, Angelina, Sabine, and Sam Houston. In “Into the Woods,” Christopher Collins explores each forest, which were the sites of intensive logging in the early 20th century, but a 1934 Texas legislative resolution gave them a second chance at life, designating the timberlands as national recreational sites. A year later, the federal government acquired the land and later dispatched the Civilian Conservation Corps to build out public infrastructure in the areas. Their hard work has stood the test of time, and nearly a century later visitors swim, boat, fish, hunt, hike, camp, ride horses, and view wildlife in the forests. The rest of the issue continues through the great outdoors. In “Forces for Nature,” Laura Mallonee profiles five of the many retirees who are keeping Texas’ state and national parks running smoothly. And in “Where the Raindrop Ends,” hiking enthusiast Bobby Aléman follows the path of water underground through Austin to better understand Barton Springs, the capital city’s most popular natural attraction.