Living On Vacation

When I announced I’d booked our December Vacation at Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels, my family thought I’d finally really lost it!

Now … they LOVE Schlitterbahn but in DECEMBER?

They didn’t believe me until I took them to my computer and let them SEE IT for themsewlves!
http://www.schlitterbahnchristmas.com (and be sure your speakers are on for the sleigh bell music)

We’ll be enjoying -

Ice Skating
a Sled Run
Santa
a Nativity Scene
Candy Cane Lane Light Tunnel
Schatze’s Winter Wonderland
a Train Display
Santa’s Workshop
Rudolph’s Reindeer Barn
Winter Wassil Hot Tub
and more! 

For late Spring and Summer months, Schlitterbahn Resort at the Bahn has everything you need for family reunions, corporate retreats, weddings and other special events. Accommodations include motel rooms, duplexes, cottages, apartments,  condos and vacation homes. Many rooms have kitchenettes & kitchens, which is what we always reserve so we can cook in our room.

Book your reservation online

Call Reservation Desk
830.625.2351, ext 3599
Open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

It’s the perfect place to base your explorations of the Texas Hill Country, an excursion into San Antonio or a world-class shopping expedition at the nearby outlet malls.

Resort at the Bahn guests have the use of two pools, hot tub, volleyball court and a playground and much, much, more!

What a nice vacation destination and easy access from anywhere in New Mexico, Arizona and most areas of Texas.

When we visit Ruidoso, we always stay at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. The Inn offers gaming, dining, golfing, a variety of children’s activities, and the views are breathtaking! Take a look at just a few of the exterior photos posted on the site. In addition, horseback riding, skiing, fishing, hiking, and much more are all located near by.

Check out the shopping offered in Ruidoso!

And for dining, the list goes on and on but don’t miss Can’t Stop Smokin for the best BBQ around.

Love Horses? Gambling? Then plan to visit Ruidoso Downs while in town .. “where they promise you smiles”.

Visit Ruidoso, New Mexico (and Lincoln County) where the Sacramento mountains rise majestically above the surrounding desert plains in south central New Mexico, and Sierra Blanca peak dominates the landscape at over 12,000 feet. In the midst of these sacred mountains there is a magical valley where tall pines whisper in the breeze, and a rushing stream makes lively music.

Put Ruidoso on your vacation calendar soon!

Forth Worth, Texas Vacation Destination

Regardless if you have only a long weekend or a full week to get away, Fort Worth has a lot to offer for a family vacation get-a-way.

I grew up in Fort Worth and we took advantage of many of the attractions I’ve listed below on a regular basis year round. I’m thankful, my dad and mom loved to go and see things and have a good time! Many of my family memories were created from those 3 and 4 day ‘mini-vacations’ we experienced even when we NEVER left town.

If not within driving distance for a day trip and you need hotel accomodations, check out the Courtyard by Marriot located on the Trinity River and only minutes away from all (but Fossil Rim) noted below.

1. You won’t want to miss the Forth Worth Zoo — it is absoutely an AMAZING zoo and has been since my first memory in the 1960’s … and it’s been around since 1909 and OPEN DAILY 365 days a year! Allow no less than 1/2 a day to see it all and plan to eat lunch while at the zoo, as well.

2. Log Cabin Village - always a good time, has always been open Tuesday - Saturday but check to be sure before making your plans … and location is almost directly across from the zoo.

3. Never been to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens and not been in awe of the beauty — even as a kid when I didn’t ‘know’ to stop and ’smell’ the roses.

4. After the Botanical Gardens, drive on over to the Japenese Water Gardens — a world of mystery and enchantment. Visit the link noted to see some photos.

5. Located in Downtown, check out the Fort Worth Water Gardens. Many Sunday evenings we went Downtown to just walk around and take in the spectacular oasis.

6. There is always a good time to be had at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. As a young child, my parents took me to the museum a couple of times a year, then somewhere along in Junior High, they would drop me and a couple of friends off to explore for the afternoon. Later in High School, I enrolled in a weekly photography class at the museum … and although I never pursued a career in photography, that class created a love for the art of photography that I still have today.

7. If time permits — and you will need a full day, take a trip on over to Glen Rose, TX (just under an hour away) and take a drive through Fossil Rim . It’s a 1700 acre Wildlife Center where you will see animals living in their natural environment. The open spaces let you interact with deer, rhinos, giraffs and many other wildlife .. all while in your own vehicle through a 9 1/2 mile tour.

Fossil Rim  From Ft. Worth and the mid cities area:  
                                      
     1. From I-20 and I-35
     2. Go south on I-35W 19 miles to Alvarado
     3. At exit 26A, take Ramp (Right) onto I-35W service road
     4. Bear Right (West) onto US-67 for 40.5 miles
        a) Continue on US-67 through Glen Rose ~3.8 miles
     5. Turn LEFT (South) onto County Road 2008 1.3 miles
        Arrive:
        Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
        2299 County Road 2008,
        Glen Rose, TX 76043
        254-897-2960
        Click here to get printable map

For MORE to SEE and DO in Fort Worth, Texas visit the official website - FortWorth.com

Branson, Misourri

Planning a vacation to Branson? Or maybe wanting to make vacaiton plans but not sure where to go?

Our family visited Branson a few years back and it’s on our list to visit again. We all had a GREAT time. It was my husband and myself, then our three children and their ages were spread out — Jordan was 16, Clayton was 6 and Paige was 3. There really was FUN for us all! It was not the ‘retirement’ crowd I was expecting.

We stayed at one of the timeshare rentals — paid only $350 for the WEEK for a 3 bedroom condo with 3 baths and a kitchen and we are NOT a timeshare owner! Just run a serach for timeshare rentals in Branson and you’ll find many properties to choose from. Here is just one example - Branson Timeshare Rentals

We visited all of the following and loved them all -

Dixie Stampede
McFarlain’s for GREAT FOOD
Shepard of the Hills
Silver Dollar City

In addition, we stopped by for pie and ice cream at a local parlor one evening following dinner, then took the most amazing horse and carriage ride along the river another evening — and the river was all lit up for the Christmas Holiday season.

We also took one afternoon and drove around the Table Rock Lake .. only one of many lakes in the area. 

Book Branson, a great vacation for the entire family!

Destination for a San Antonio, Texas Vacation

Our family is not one to ‘flock’ to destinations with the ‘crowds’. We research and look for the least likely traveled days when planning our vacations so we take VERY FEW vacations in the Summer – but opted to have a backyard pool for those lazy days of Summer; June, July and August.

Come Fall, though we begin to get the ‘yearning’ to getaway.

Our children attend a Private School that has the full week off at Thanksgiving so traditionally we’ve used that week for vacationing; going to the tourist spots the few days prior to Thanksgiving, then planning for Thursday – Saturday to be somewhere that doesn’t involve lines, etc.

This Thanksgiving Week, we’ve planned a vacation, Saturday – Wednesday (prior to Thanksgiving) to visit the San Antonio, Texas River Walk http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/

Take a look at their photo gallery - http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/photos/default.aspx

In the past, we stayed at a hotel directly on the River Walk – enjoyed it so much, we’ve booked a hotel on the Walk again this year. Breakfast overlooking the river, then most everything one would want to see or do (and more) is all within walking distance. Last time, our car never left the parking garage except the day we spent at San Antonio’s Sea World …. which we’ll take a day to attend again this year.

We discovered that the Monday prior to Thanksgiving – Sea World isn’t attended by many people at all. We pretty much at Shamu all to ourselves! http://www.seaworld.com/sanantonio/default.aspx

The San Antonio River Walk had a River Mall - http://www.shoprivercenter.com/main/index.php

Each evening it’s dinner at yet another great restaurant while sitting along the River and we always reserve one night to dine at the RainForest Café -  http://www.rainforestcafe.com/

And should you have an opportunity to visit, don’t miss taking a tour of the Alamo. The Alamo is not only one of Texas’ most important historical landmarks, it is also one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions, with over 2.5 million visitors annually.

And FOR SURE, take a ride up to the top of the Hemisphere. Located near downtown San Antonio, just a short walk from the River Walk, the 15-acre HemisFair Park has undergone extensive renovation and additions over the years. Today, it features, among other things, exhibits remaining from the ’68 World’s Fair, a labrinyth of cascading waterfalls, a children’s playground and, the landmark of the San Antonio skyline, the 750-foot tall Tower of the Americas.

See is all in San Antonio - http://sanantoniotourist.com/