Need TEXAS travel advice: Big D, SA, Frio River, Big Bend, etc
Aug 1st, 2007, 02:21 AM
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Need TEXAS travel advice: Big D, SA, Frio River, Big Bend, etc
I'm determined to make this happen, if my Texas friends think it's a good time of year and doable.
We have vacation time in Sept, and I'd like to plan a trip which must include a night or two in Dallas. Our DD1 is expecting in 08 and "needs" us to visit soon. We just saw her in July, so please don't think she's being slighted with only 1 or 2 nights. ;-)
We're in New Orleans and will probably drive . . . we've never driven from Dallas to points beyond in Texas. We normally go I-10 to points west. I'm thinking a circular route, either taking in Dallas at the beginning or the end of the trip.
This vacation will be a time to show my DH some of the places I love from my youth and the wonderful vacations I enjoyed with my recently departed dad. I'd like to definitely include SA, the Frio River, and Big Bend NP.
Would we be too late (Sept) to see the bats? I seem to remember reading the viewing is best in the spring. Sad to admit, but this would be new to us and something we'd love to see.
I remember Silver Springs campground north of Uvalde, but when I did an online search, I see that area had the nerve to grow a lot in 25 years. LOL There are cabins and resorts there now. Any recs? Or is it so commerical that it's not worth an overnight?
My favorite border crossing town was Eagle Pass (circa 1970s), although we crossed at Del Rio a lot too. Do tourists still do a day across the border or should we nix that idea?
I've been back to SA many times in adulthood, but DH has not. We want to see the usual (Alamo, Riverwalk) plus any Fodorite recs.
I've learned the train wreck is no longer in Sanderson, so not as excited about that drive, but is Del Rio, Sanderson, Marathon still a good route to take to or from BB?
Since we'll be going from/to Dallas also, what other must sees, activities, etc, should we include on this trip? And please don't forget food recs - a very important part of our vacations.
We're looking at 8 or 9 days, and we like driving vacations, so please fire away with your suggestions, best experiences, and itineraries!
As always, thank you all so much for your help and advice!
We have vacation time in Sept, and I'd like to plan a trip which must include a night or two in Dallas. Our DD1 is expecting in 08 and "needs" us to visit soon. We just saw her in July, so please don't think she's being slighted with only 1 or 2 nights. ;-)
We're in New Orleans and will probably drive . . . we've never driven from Dallas to points beyond in Texas. We normally go I-10 to points west. I'm thinking a circular route, either taking in Dallas at the beginning or the end of the trip.
This vacation will be a time to show my DH some of the places I love from my youth and the wonderful vacations I enjoyed with my recently departed dad. I'd like to definitely include SA, the Frio River, and Big Bend NP.
Would we be too late (Sept) to see the bats? I seem to remember reading the viewing is best in the spring. Sad to admit, but this would be new to us and something we'd love to see.
I remember Silver Springs campground north of Uvalde, but when I did an online search, I see that area had the nerve to grow a lot in 25 years. LOL There are cabins and resorts there now. Any recs? Or is it so commerical that it's not worth an overnight?
My favorite border crossing town was Eagle Pass (circa 1970s), although we crossed at Del Rio a lot too. Do tourists still do a day across the border or should we nix that idea?
I've been back to SA many times in adulthood, but DH has not. We want to see the usual (Alamo, Riverwalk) plus any Fodorite recs.
I've learned the train wreck is no longer in Sanderson, so not as excited about that drive, but is Del Rio, Sanderson, Marathon still a good route to take to or from BB?
Since we'll be going from/to Dallas also, what other must sees, activities, etc, should we include on this trip? And please don't forget food recs - a very important part of our vacations.
We're looking at 8 or 9 days, and we like driving vacations, so please fire away with your suggestions, best experiences, and itineraries!
As always, thank you all so much for your help and advice!
Aug 1st, 2007, 04:08 AM
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If you are on I-49 north of Lafayette to or from Dallas---we like http://www.judgeporterhouse.com/ (particularly the cottage) at Natchitoches and the downtown restaurants.
Heading to Dallas ourselves soon so looking forward to some ideas. Dave
Heading to Dallas ourselves soon so looking forward to some ideas. Dave
Aug 1st, 2007, 04:26 AM
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Dave, we love the Judge Porter house and their other property, the Queen Anne. Thanks! We'll make the drive to or from Dallas in a day, but we do make an annual trip to Natchitoches around Christmas. We haven't stayed in the cottage yet, maybe this year.
Aug 1st, 2007, 04:27 AM
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Hi BayouGal,
Oh, how fun! What a great idea for a road trip.
You asked if September would be too late to see the bats--where are you referring to seeing them? We've been to Austin in Sept / Oct and there were plenty-o-bats to be seen at the Congress Street Bridge. What an exciting experience that was.
My step-mother is visiting us in September and I'll be very curious to see what the weather is like this year given the cool, rainy summer we've had this year.
Normally, the later in September the relatively cooler it is but I find September to still be on the toasty side but not a detractor.
With the exception of Dallas we haven't been to the other places you mention (is this a sign I need to get out more?).
The only other city we've spent a great deal of time in is Houston which we love for its Museum District, Hermann Park, restaurants, shopping, etc. The Rice University area is just beautiful. Haven't been to the aquarium yet so I am curious about it.
Your driving in from New Orleans so perhaps you could make a stop in Houston first--it would be an easy and quick drive to this area off I-10. From Houston, head west to San Antonio or up to Austin then down to SA stopping in the Hill Country along the way.
Sing it with me, "holiday rooooooaaaaaad, holiday roooooaaaaaad..."
Hope this little bit helps. We'll leave the light on for ya, if there's anything more you need.
Oh, how fun! What a great idea for a road trip.
You asked if September would be too late to see the bats--where are you referring to seeing them? We've been to Austin in Sept / Oct and there were plenty-o-bats to be seen at the Congress Street Bridge. What an exciting experience that was.
My step-mother is visiting us in September and I'll be very curious to see what the weather is like this year given the cool, rainy summer we've had this year.
Normally, the later in September the relatively cooler it is but I find September to still be on the toasty side but not a detractor.
With the exception of Dallas we haven't been to the other places you mention (is this a sign I need to get out more?).
The only other city we've spent a great deal of time in is Houston which we love for its Museum District, Hermann Park, restaurants, shopping, etc. The Rice University area is just beautiful. Haven't been to the aquarium yet so I am curious about it.
Your driving in from New Orleans so perhaps you could make a stop in Houston first--it would be an easy and quick drive to this area off I-10. From Houston, head west to San Antonio or up to Austin then down to SA stopping in the Hill Country along the way.
Sing it with me, "holiday rooooooaaaaaad, holiday roooooaaaaaad..."
Hope this little bit helps. We'll leave the light on for ya, if there's anything more you need.
Aug 1st, 2007, 04:36 AM
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Thanks, Ann Marie! I'm singing!
I was thinking the bats on Congress St, and I read somewhere that there's a cave that's even better than Congress St. Can't remember any details though. I was afraid the bats might have already left for Mexico in Sept. Glad to hear they're still around then.
I'm hoping we can go towards to end of Sept because of the temps. It can still be hot as h*ll here in Sept. That was my concern about the time of year, heat and rain.
We have family in the Houston area, so we get there pretty often. I'd like to see the aquarium, too, so maybe this trip.
Thanks again!
I was thinking the bats on Congress St, and I read somewhere that there's a cave that's even better than Congress St. Can't remember any details though. I was afraid the bats might have already left for Mexico in Sept. Glad to hear they're still around then.
I'm hoping we can go towards to end of Sept because of the temps. It can still be hot as h*ll here in Sept. That was my concern about the time of year, heat and rain.
We have family in the Houston area, so we get there pretty often. I'd like to see the aquarium, too, so maybe this trip.
Thanks again!
Aug 1st, 2007, 04:52 AM
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I am almost positive OO has been to the cave and I'm pretty sure she lives close to the cave...maybe she's Bat Girl and lives inside the cave! ;-) OO, come clean! --hopefully, she'll see this and help you further.
--hopefully, she'll see this and help you further.
Aug 1st, 2007, 04:58 AM
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We were in Austin last year in August. It was hot! But the bats were still at the Congress Street bridge then.
We spent a few nights at the Hampton Inn, very close to the bridge. The price was right (good deal on Expedia)with a good breakfast buffet. You could walk to Sixth Street, but saved some money. There were some great restaurants right around the hotel.
Check out the Hill Country and Fredericksburg.
If you really love (or want to try) Texas BBQ, take a trip to Lockart Texas, maybe 45 minutes outside of Austin. Google and make a BBQ crawl around town and do your own taste test! Little storefronts, hot fires, brisket, sausage, ribs, chicken...oh my. I think I need to go visit my in-laws........(I live in NH now) Thank God my husband can do Texas BBQ...
We spent a few nights at the Hampton Inn, very close to the bridge. The price was right (good deal on Expedia)with a good breakfast buffet. You could walk to Sixth Street, but saved some money. There were some great restaurants right around the hotel.
Check out the Hill Country and Fredericksburg.
If you really love (or want to try) Texas BBQ, take a trip to Lockart Texas, maybe 45 minutes outside of Austin. Google and make a BBQ crawl around town and do your own taste test! Little storefronts, hot fires, brisket, sausage, ribs, chicken...oh my. I think I need to go visit my in-laws........(I live in NH now) Thank God my husband can do Texas BBQ...
Aug 1st, 2007, 05:26 AM
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I haven't been to Eagle Pass but they did get hit with tornados this past year. I usually cross at Del Rio to go to Mexico and always stop on my way to Big Bend. It breaks up the trip. The Rio Frio has been flooded several times this year. I usually camp at Garner but if you plan to stay at the Park make reservations early. I will follow up later with food stops...my best friend grew up in Del Rio and I just go where she takes me. But if you go through Del Rio stop at HEB (local grocery store in South Texas) and buy Julio's chips and salsa. They are great and are made in Del Rio but you can buy them in other parts of South Texas. But for years my friend would buy a bag for me everytime she went home because I couldn't buy them in Austin.
Aug 1st, 2007, 05:40 AM
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BG's comin' to Texas! Yippee!! \/
A Texas road trip, oh my, this is gonna be fun! September should be great. The temps (such as they've been this year, lol!) generally cool off, it's football season (so watch out for hotel reservations!), and you've got lots of buddies who'd love to plan a Texas-size GTG in your honor!
About those bats.
A couple years ago my folks were here (Austin) in late September, and we took them to the Congress Street Bridge hoping to see the bats. Well, it was too late in the season. It got pretty dark before any of them emerged, and then it wasn't the hordes of them as in the summer months. Don't know if that's the same each September, but that's my experience.
Perhaps this is the bat cave you were asking about. It was mentioned on Animal Planet awhile back:
http://tinyurl.com/28gds3
What a fun trip BG, really! We've driven from Austin to NO a couple times, I-10 thru Houston, into Florida. My favorite part of the drive is going over the -- oh what's it called in Louisiana where the road/bridge goes right over the water for miles and miles -- love it!
I've got an appt. this morning, so I've got to go. More later!
Oh boy!! <)
/A Texas road trip, oh my, this is gonna be fun! September should be great. The temps (such as they've been this year, lol!) generally cool off, it's football season (so watch out for hotel reservations!), and you've got lots of buddies who'd love to plan a Texas-size GTG in your honor!
About those bats.
A couple years ago my folks were here (Austin) in late September, and we took them to the Congress Street Bridge hoping to see the bats. Well, it was too late in the season. It got pretty dark before any of them emerged, and then it wasn't the hordes of them as in the summer months. Don't know if that's the same each September, but that's my experience.Perhaps this is the bat cave you were asking about. It was mentioned on Animal Planet awhile back:
http://tinyurl.com/28gds3
What a fun trip BG, really! We've driven from Austin to NO a couple times, I-10 thru Houston, into Florida. My favorite part of the drive is going over the -- oh what's it called in Louisiana where the road/bridge goes right over the water for miles and miles -- love it!
I've got an appt. this morning, so I've got to go. More later!
Oh boy!! <)
Aug 1st, 2007, 05:58 AM
#12
AnnMarie...you are funny!! Great road trip BayouGal...wish I could help more, but like AnnMarie, I don't get out much, at least not in Texas so I know nothing about your other spots either.I know the cave though, and we do live only a few miles from it. Bracken Cave...largest maternity colony in the world--20-40 million bats. They leave late fall for their winter roost in Mexico, Nov I think, so the Congress St Bridge bats (same variety, Mexican freetails) will still be in place. http://www.jacksonresources.com/batcave2005/index.htm
http://www.batcon.org/home/index.asp?idPage=56
The second link above has a video of the bats emerging from the cave. We see them stream over our house evenings, but that's as close as I've come. Drat...we were away a couple of weeks ago when our neighborhood was given one of the rare tours to the cave to see an emergence. They were awed by it! It's exact location is a deeply guarded secret. I now know where it is thanks to the neighborhood tour, but you can't get there...it's surrounded by acres of privately owned land (nice to know it will never be developed so our views will be prserved) and a locked gate leads off the main highway. We could always have a bat watching GTG at my house. That would be a Fodors first!!
One other thing I'd recommend doing in San Antonio is taking a drive out to Gruene on a weekend afternoon and listening to the music scene in Gruene Hall. http://www.gruenehall.com/ Be sure to look at the photo section of that website too. http://www.gruenehall.com/gallerymain.html It's such a fun place, and the little town of Gruene has some cute shops and is quite picturesque. We were in Gruene Hall listening to one group a couple of weeks ago when Ray Wylie Hubbard joined them and performed a couple of numbers...(he of "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother", fame). We had no idea who he was until it was over...only that he was really good.
Gruene is also one of the places you can rent tubes for tubing the Guadalupe if you are so inclined. We haven't braved it yet.
Big Bend is on my list of places to go as well. It is supposedly beautiful. It's quite a distance from San Antonio though, so we have yet to get there.
September--agree with AnnMarie, make it as late in the month as possible. It's still pretty toasty then...but not anything you aren't used to in south LA.
hugs,
Aug 1st, 2007, 06:28 AM
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I agree - Gruene, Texas is a fun little town. If you can, go eat at the Grist Mill - it's a fun little restaurant built in an old mill right on the river. They have yummy homemade wine coolers and sometimes have live music outside. There's loads of little antique shops right in town, and a spot where you can get a scoop of Bluebell Ice Cream.
We liked Boudro's on the Riverwalk in San Antonio - they made guacamole tableside and had good prickly pear margaritas. Rio Rio is good for more Tex-Mex.
We liked Boudro's on the Riverwalk in San Antonio - they made guacamole tableside and had good prickly pear margaritas. Rio Rio is good for more Tex-Mex.
Aug 1st, 2007, 06:33 AM
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I live in Grapevine and we do have a cute downtown. Make sure you walk all the way between the train depot and city hall. If you are there at lunch time, if you keep walking down to Northwest Highway, there is a sandwich shop with great subs. There is also a chili parlor on Main Street.
Grapevine also has a lovely little botanical garden. Let me know if you need directions.
Grapevine also has a lovely little botanical garden. Let me know if you need directions.
Aug 1st, 2007, 07:47 AM
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If you go to Del Rio to go into Acuna make sure to bring your birth certificate. The main road into Acuna is torn up due to consruction. Manuel's of right off the main road has pretty good food-tampequenia plate, steak with mexican food and great guacamole. Their limade is made with mineral water and you can get by the pitcher...I prefer the beer! Chips are nice and toasty with the salsa a little runny but that is the way it is prefered in that area.
I love Gruene Hall and the Grist Mill....the onion rings are the best. How many days are you planning?? You have alot of ground to cover Dallas, SA, Frio,and Big Bend. How much hiking do you plan to do? Plan on at least 2-3 days.
I love Gruene Hall and the Grist Mill....the onion rings are the best. How many days are you planning?? You have alot of ground to cover Dallas, SA, Frio,and Big Bend. How much hiking do you plan to do? Plan on at least 2-3 days.
Aug 1st, 2007, 08:30 AM
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Forgive my interuption BayouGal
missypie: I am looking at the "official map". I see the train depot and north of that the NW Hwy--good window shopping along Main?
Are these winery "outlets" in town? We will be coming over from Addison in the late afternoon for a couple of hours-dinner? Dave
missypie: I am looking at the "official map". I see the train depot and north of that the NW Hwy--good window shopping along Main?
Are these winery "outlets" in town? We will be coming over from Addison in the late afternoon for a couple of hours-dinner? Dave
Aug 1st, 2007, 08:38 AM
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Hill Country is a must - Wimberley and all around that area. We rented a cottage up in the hills for our 30th anniversary this year and we have friends coming to visit in Oct or Nov and plan to do that again. Hopefully weather will be pleasant in September. Too bad you are not going to Houston. We have a great city to visit!
