Howdy friends. Our family was planning on going to New Orleans for a week. Our schedules give us some time in June to pull this off, including the drive across Texas, five nights at NOLA, and the drive home.
But, Mrs TWM's job threw in a few extra days of mandatory work. She's a teacher, so she has a couple of months off. But, the extra days they are requiring shaved off a couple days from our booked hotel stay. I was taking advantage of the 5th night free that Hilton offers when you use points to pay for your stay. That would have been a savings of 20% in points.
I suppose we could still make the trip, although shorter than planned. We just hate to be rushed. It takes the fun out of travel.
The challenge is that we live in Mission, Texas. If you look on the map, you'll see that we are the bottom tip of Texas. There is plenty nearby if we travel south to Mexico. We're not driving into Mexico. It's safe enough in the interior. However, there is risk along the Mexican border.
So, we can only go north . . . through Texas. Most of Texas is north of here.
San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Austin are fun for a weekend. But, we've been there so much, we'd like to try something different.
We have been looking towards West Texas. Some ideas include:
- University of Texas McDonald Observatory
- Balmorhea State Park
- Garner State Park
- Black's BBQ in Lockhart
- Davis Mountains State Park
- Big Bend
- Marfa
- San Angelo
- Pugh River Park in Cristoval
But, there are places near the Hill Country we haven't visited, such as
- Gruene
- Guadalupe River State Park
- Colorado Bend State Park
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
East Texas has
- Davy Crockett National Forest
- Tyler State Park
There is so much to see without leaving Texas. So, we're going to have to have a big think about what we want to do.
If you have any suggestions with a day's drive from Mission, Texas, please leave a comment. We'd be happy to consider. If not this year, then another year.
I've never been but I heard Lost Maples is beautiful. Family Business Brewery (Jensen Ackles/Dean from Supernatural is part owner) in Dripping Springs, and the Comal River for tubing in New Braunfels. If you're going to West Texas check out the Starlight Theater in Terlingua Ghost Town - amazing burgers.
Mrs. is going to love your suggestions, except for the tubing. We almost drowned a couple of vacations ago. She's hesitant to go tubing. But, she's willing to Schlitterbahn.
I would recommend around Marble Falls / the Horseshoe Bay area. It's very scenic in that part of Texas.
I'm not sure if you have ever seen the TV show YOLO TX, they always highlight some great spots to visit in Texas.
I've never heard of the TV show. I'll look it up. Thanks.
Searching for Marble Falls, it looks like it's within our driving range. We'll start investigating. I appreciate the suggestion.
Mrs. TWM likes the idea of going to the McDonald observatory and puttering around the Davis mountains. Our main concern, this is Texas after all, is how hot it might be while we are out there. But, if we can always cool off at Balmorhea State Park. Or, there's always hotel pools.