Event - #Travel #Texas - #Belton - Central Texas State Fair Spring Music Fest - April 10-13, 2025

Belton, Texas - Central Texas State Fair Spring Music Fest
April 10-13, 2025
Cadence Bank Center
Venture out to the family-friendly Central Texas State Fair in Belton, right between Waco and Austin. Emjoy headlining acts like comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Igelsias, musical act All American Rejects, and more. Carnival rides and attractions. Animal shows (such as Arabian Horses and Sea Lions). Food vendors. Merch. So much to do and see!
Address: 301 WEST LOOP 121, Belton, TX 76513
Hours: Check Website
Fees: Different activities have fees (see website), Show Tickets may include admission to fair grounds, Parking is FREE
For more information - https://www.centraltexasstatefairspringmusicfest.com/

Review - Washington, DC - Cherry Blossom Festival

I had the privilege to attend the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC this past Sunday. I lucked out in that it was right during peak bloom (meaning the flowers were the biggest they were going to be and then start falling off the trees). The festival itself lasts until April 13th this year. There seems to be a lot of events that happen especially on weekends.

One thing I learned from the National Park service (you can find helpful guides at the Welcome Tent which according to the website below, is open 10 AM – 5 PM, Mondays – Thursdays, and 10 AM – 6 PM, Fridays – Sundays.) is that there are many different Cherry Blossom species! So, even if you come later in the festival, there will be blooms. You can find maps, pins, and Junior Ranger activities at the National Park tents.

Is it Crowded? - I visited on a Sunday so I felt it was less crowded. What makes it feel crowded is that there is a walking trail all around the Tidal Basin and people stop and take photos. The areas furthest from the monument was less crowded. Really pretty picture spots were definitely more crowded. Inside the monuments was a bit hectic as people are trying to get their pictures with the statues.

Can I Bring a Stroller? - the "trail" ranges from well-paved to decent dirt to massive holes/cracks to huge tree root dirt, so I highly recommend a stroller that can handle the rough terrain. I brought a stroller and was fine. They do have wheelchair/stroller ramps up to all the monuments.

Can I Use a Wheelchair or Mobility Scooter? - there are areas that will be manageable for people with mobility areas but don't plan to walk through the trees as the paths are dirt, full of treet roots and holes, and not very easy to manage. The areas around the monuments are paved and there are ramps (right now, the elevators are not operating).

How do I get there? - If you drive into DC, do not drive around the Tidal Basin itself as the traffic is VERY BAD. The free parking is very limited. Better to park away from the area and walk. Walking is very easy and strollers/wheelchair friendly. Parking is free on weekends at the metro stations and using public transportation is only a few dollars. I did see several hop-on/hop-off buses going around the city and to this area which is a good option if you plan to go outside the Tidal Basin but it costs money. I personally just used a public parking garage (I was able to pay online for cheaper rate) and just walked over. There are metro trains directly from the nearby airport. Or you can uber/lyft.



Food Tips - Bring snacks with you as the lines for the onsite cafes/vendors were quite long and the prices were high. Normally I endorse foodtrucks, but for the ones crowding around the streets in this area, I have my doubts. First, almost none of them displayed their prices and some changed the prices on the fly in addition to obvious price gouging. The quality of the product was questionable (a frozen drink that was not frozen at all). Some only take cash. Better to walk down the street about 5 minutes to an honest business.

Restroom Tips - I saw several restrooms with long lines epecially those inside monuments. Look at the map. There almost always was another restroom just a short walk away with no line at all. Try to use the restrooms around this area because once you start walking in the direction of the capital buildings, there are very few public ones available.

For information, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/maps.htm

For More Information, https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

For LIVE web cam views, https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/bloom-watch/

Book Review - Moon Death Valley National Park

Browsing through the library for places to visit in the future, I found this book on Death Valley National Park which is on my bucket list of places to visit. It's not really a place to visit during the summer break due to the super high temperatures (and a lot of local businesses actually close for parts of the summer due to the heat).

You know I love the Moon Travel Guides for their full-color maps and highlights in addition to the tips and beautiful photographs. This book is divided into sections - Death Valley National Park itself, Furnace Creek and the Amargosa Range, Stovepipe Wells and the Nevada Triangle, Scotty's Castle and the Eureka Valley, Panamint Springs and the Saline Valley and more. Within each section is a detailed map, highlights, where to go, when to go, visiting in a single day, accommodations, recreation, etc.

What's really valuable is knowing where you will need a high-clearance vehicle or a 4WD vehicle because some of the roads and trails are not appropriate for normal passenger cars or even RV's or trailers.

The first 20 or so pages highlight the top 6 experiences followed up a very useful chart of In-Park lodging options.

Title: Moon Death Valley National Park: Hiking, Scenic Drives, Desert Springs
Author: Jenna Blough
ISBN: 978-8-88647-040-6

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Lake Jackson - Sea Center Nature Day - April 5, 2025

Lake Jackson, Texas - Sea Center Nature Day
April 5, 2025
Sea Center Texas
The Sea Center Aquarium and Fish Hatchery is hosting a Family Fun day with catch-and-release fishing, live reptiles interactions, and a Birds of Prey show.
Address: 302 Medical Drive, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566
Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Fees: FREE
For more information - https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/sea-center/sea-center-nature-day

Book Review - Moon Tahoe and Reno

As you know from previous posts, I've been researching places to visit with my family this summer. While I was exploring the Travel Section at the library, I narrowed down my search to places I haven't been to in a very long time or at all. One of the places I have been wanting to visit is Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas so I picked up this book.

What I love about the Moon Travel Guides (and you'll hear this from me a lot) are the full-color maps and the little highlights in each section.
Just a side note, this book was published in 2020, so be sure to research locations for updated hours and prices before heading out.

The Tahoe and Reno book is organized by area - South Shore, North and West Shore, East Shoe, Carson Pass, Reno, and Nevada's Frontier Towns (Virginia City, Carson City, etc). Each section contains maps, trip highlights or must-sees, tips, and info about restaurants, recreation, shops, accommodations, and tips. Plus, there are tips on "getting there" which is very helpful.

Title: Moon Tahoe and Reno: Local Spots, Getaway Ideas, Hiking and Skiing
Author: Nicole Szanto
ISBN: 978-1-64049-759-7

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Salado - Wildflower Art Show Weekend - March 29-30, 2025

Salado, Texas - Wildflower Art Show Weekend
March 29-30, 2025
Salado Civic Center
Celebrate Spring at Salado's annual Wildflower Arts and Crafts Festival outside at the Civic Center. Explore family-friendly activities, browse craft vendor booths, enjoy food truck vendors, and more.
Address: 601 N. Main Street, Salado, TX 76571
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Fees: FREE
For more information - https://www.salado.com/

Book Review - Lonely Planet's The World's Great Wonders

Whenever I visit my local library, I always end up wandering the aisles and browsing the returns carts for interesting books that just "pop out". And that's how I found this fascinating book. It's a little bit older, published in 2014, but the information as a whole is still relevant. For more specific details about places, I would further research before heading out. Covid has negatively affected a lot of places/tours so research first.

This book deep-dives into 50 of the world's greatest wonders such as the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and even the Aurora Borealis with details about how the wonder was created or formed, suggestions on getting there, and things to do while you're there. Lots of full-color photographs and diagrams. Tons of facts. Overall, a really great book for both travelers and researchers.

Title: The World's Great Wonders: How They Were Made & Why They Are Amazing
Author: Lonely Planet
ISBN: 978-1-74321-430-5

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Frisco - Texas Pinpall Festival - March 21-23, 2025

Frisco, Texas - Texas Pinball Festival
March 21-23, 2025
Embassay Suites Hotel and Convention Center
Bring your kids or your inner child to play pinball games, video games, and other games. Check out collectibles and other merchandise from a variety of vendors. Get a weekend pass to enjoy all three days of fun.
Also, per the website, Saturday, March 22, 2025 starting at 6:00am, the DFW Pinball and Arcade Club will be putting on an outdoor flea market and swap meet featuring coin operated collectibles, project machines and more! Admission is free to all guests.
Address: 7600 John Q Hammons Dr., Frisco, TX 75034
Hours: Friday 4:00pm - 1:00am; Saturday 9:00am - 11:30pm; Sunday 9:00am - 2:00pm
Fees: Friday $50 adults/$25 kids; Saturday $60 adults/$35 kids; Sunday $30 adults/$20 kids; Weekend passes $110 at door; kids under 5 FREE
For more information - https://texaspinball.com/tpf/

Book Review - Moon Nashville

Following our Road Trip exploration last week, I went ahead and got the Nashville Travel Guide from Moon. It is almost 300 pages of really good info on exploring Nashville and maximizing your time visiting the city.

What I love about the Moon Travel Guides are the colorful maps and the highlights for each area of the city (such as Downtown, Germantown, Midtown, and more). The book is sectioned out by area with details such as places to eat, where to go, music joints, entertainment, etc. The "Where to stay" section is in the back of the book along with "Day Trips" to areas nearby and an "Eseentials" section full of good info for those visiting the city (or even America) for the first time.

The first thirty pages or so highlight some of the most popular places to visit and some tips for exploring.

Keep in mind this book was published in 2022, so be sure to research a chosen location's hours, prices, and updated info before heading out.

Title: Moon Nashville: Can’t-Miss Experiences, Food and Music, Local Favorites
Author: Margaret Littman
ISBN: 978-1-64049-623-1

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Lewisville - St. Paddy's Texas Style - March 15, 2025

Lewisville, Texas - St. Paddy's Texas Style
March 15, 2025
Wayne Ferguson Plaza
Get your Irish on at this super-fun St Patrick's Day festival. Kids will enjoy bounce houses and mini trains. There will be Luche Libre Wrestling! Food and drink vendors. Irish dancing and music.
Address: 150 W. Church St., Lewisville, Texas
Hours: 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Fees: Admission is FREE; some activities cost money
For more information - https://www.cityoflewisville.com/city-hall/city-departments/community-relations-tourism/special-events-festivals/st-paddy-s-texas-style

Book Review - Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip

I'm starting to research some options for summer vacation with the family and while browsing through the library, I saw this little gem. Normally, being from Texas, I would just drive across state into Louisiana directly and then heading down to New Orleans from Shreveport. But, going from Tennessee down to New Orleans or even vice versa would be a great change. And this book has a lot of great stops and tips.

What I like about this book is it is divided into sections. So if you don't want to do a full trip, you can pick and choose key areas. For example, if you want to start from Tennesse, you can head out of Nashville or you can head out of Memphis. Or if you want to start from Alabama or Mississippi, you can. It's very customizable. Or, you can work backwards and plan going up.

Each section in the book discusses places to visit, museums, parks, food options, accommodations, shopping, and other entertainments. Keep in mind this book was published in 2021, so be sure to look up the places you plan to stop at ahead of time for hours, prices, etc. Also, the colorful maps are great.

The end of the book has a nice "Essentials" section with a lot of information for both American-based travelers and those coming from abroad.

Title: Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip: Hit the Road for the Best Southern Food and Music Along the Natchez Trace
Author: Margaret Littman
ISBN: 978-1-64049-924-9

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Event - #Travel #Texas - Calliham - Birding Festival at Choke Canyon State Park - March 8, 2025

Calliham, Texas - Birding Festival at Choke Canyon State Park
March 8, 2025
Choke Canyon State Park
Tucked away about half-way between San Antonio and Corpus Christi is Choke Canyon State Park which promises outdoor family fun. The birding festival features a Live Bird Show plus lots of wildlife viewing walks. There will also be guest speakers, kid friendly activities, and native plant for sale.
Address: 358 Recreation Rd. 8, Calliham, TX 78007
Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Fees: $5 entry fee for ages 13 and up
For more information: https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/choke-canyon/birding-festival

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Spring Branch - Star Party at Guadalupe River State Park - March 8, 2025

Spring Branch, Texas - Star Party
March 8, 2025
Guadalupe River State Park
Located north of San Antonio, this natural wonder will be alive at night with the help of the San Antonio Astronomical Association with telescopes and binoculars to view the night sky (assuming no clouds). This event will be held in the large overflow parking lot (just up the road from the big river parking lot). Look for the big blue "Stargazing Tonight" sign on the park road just across from this parking lot.
Address: 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070
Hours: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Fees: Entry fee $7 for ages 13 and up
For More Info - https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/guadalupe-river/star-party-with-the-san-antonio-astronomical-association

Book Review - The Best Places for Everything by Peter Greenberg

While I was browsing through the Travel section at my local library, I wandered further up the aisle and I found this large volume of inspiration by well-known travel author and television travel show host, Peter Greenberg. The book is a bit outdated (published in 2012) but many of the places are still operating. Always be sure to check ahead of visiting for operating hours, fees, entry restrictions/timed tickets, etc.

So basically this book is a guide to some of the "best" locations for different categories (like Best Beer) based on Peter Greenberg's extensive travel experiences. Listings include both domestic spots and international spots. Also, there are suggestions for finding deals and callouts for interesting related things to do/try.

Here are a few categories you can find in this book: Outdoor Adventures (including Bird-Watching, Fall Foliage, Zip-lining, Whitewater Rafting, etc), Great Foods and Drinks of the World (Chocolate!), Educational Travel (Digging for Fossils, Literary Travel, etc), Shopping (like Specialty Shopping and Street Markets), and so much more.

Title: The Best Places for Everything: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to the Greatest Experiences Around the World
Author: Peter Greenberg
ISBN: 978-1-60961-829-2

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Beaumont - Mardi Gras Southeast Texas - February 28 - March 2, 2025

Beaumont, Texas - Mardi Gras Southeast Texas
February 28 - March 2, 2025
Dogget Ford Park
Come out to Southeast Texas for some Mardi Gras fun! There will be a TON of Mardi Gras (also known as Fat Tuesday) parades throughout the weekend including a fun Golf Cart/ATV one on Friday and a kid-sized one on Sunday. Enjoy food vendors and artisans. There will be a Kid Kingdom with bounce houses and a foam factory. Friday night's music concert features Kody West, Kolby Cooper, and Southall. Saturday night's concert features DJ John L, C and C Music Factory, and FloRida. Sunday night's concert features Ignacio Legacy, Lunada, and La Tropa Estrella. Your concert ticket includes entry to the festival grounds.
Address: 5115 I-10, Beaumont, TX 77705
Hours: See website
Fees: Festival Only $10; Concert and Festival $20-$45; Parking Free
For more information: https://mardigrastx.com/

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Navasota - Texas Birthday Bash - March 1, 2025

Navasota, Texas - Texas Birthday Bash
March 1, 2025
August Horst Memorial Park
Enjoy country or Tejano music? Come out to the Texas Birthday Bash to enjoy music, food vendors, craft vendors, and more. Kids will enjoy activities and fun at the Kid Zone. Made-in-Texas crafts and foods. On the Main Stage, country guest stars include Clay Walker, Randall King, Braxton Keith, Dylan Wheeler, and Julie Roberts. Siggno, Grupo Zenzio, and Amanda Solis (Selena Tribute) will entertain on the Tejano Stage. A side stage features many other talented musical guests.
Address: 100 Airport Road, Navasota, TX 77868
Hours: Opens at noon
Fees: $35 online or $45 at gate
For more information: https://www.texasbirthdaybash.com/

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Fredericksburg - Iwo Jima - 80 Years Later - February 21-23, 2025

Fredericksburg, Texas - Iwo Jima - 80 Years Later
February 21-23, 2025
The National Museum of the Pacific War
The museum is hosting three days of World War II activities and information to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Friday will feature an opening ceremony and activities in the ballroom and the day ends with a screening of the movie "Sands of Iwo Jima". Saturday's guest speaker session with Richard B. Frank, Keil Gentry, Steve McCloud, and Jonathan Parshall requires pre-registration due to a limited number of seats in the theatre. The evening will close with a concert and photography viewing. Sunday features a battle reenactment at the Pacfic Combat Zone. Walk-ups are allowed first come, first serve if there's availability. Then a book signing and closing ceremony. If you are a history buff, this sounds like a great opportunity to learn more about Iwo Jima.
If you can't make it out to Fredericksburg, register for a livestream link - https://mailchi.mp/nimitzfoundation.org/80th-anniversary-of-wwii-schedule
Address: 340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Hours:
Fees: FREE
For more information: https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/iwo

Book Review - DK Eyewtiness Travel - Family Guide to Washington, DC

I took my family to Washington DC back in 2021 when Covid still had many locations shut down, many places had limited hours, museums had timed entries (some still do!), or, sadly, some favorite locations shut down completely. This year I am looking to return to the area and, especially, to visit the new pandas at the zoo. So, I picked up this guide book at the library to see what has been updated (and what is no longer available).

What makes this book different are all the colorful maps and floor plans for most of the locations featured as well as restroom locations (very helpful!) and ways to let your kids blow off steam (because we all know how hard it can be for them to endure too much time in museums without any play time).

If you've never been to DC (District of Columbia) before, be forewarned that parking is very challenging during weekdays and the rush hour traffic is a nightmare. Try to avoid those times if possible. Luckily, a lot of the museums are within walking distance of each other. Be sure to plan ahead in case any of them require reservations/timed entry tickets.

Title: DK Family Guide Washington, DC
Author: DK Travel
ISBN: 978-1-4654-6817-8

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Galveston - Yaga's Chili Quest and Beer Fest - January 18, 2025

Galveston, Texas - Yaga's Chili Quest and Beer Fest
January 18, 2025
Historic Strand District
How about a little Chili to warm you up in the cold month of January? Or joining the Beerfoot Beer Run 5k? Or just sampling chili and beer? Afterwards browsing through vendor tables. Sounds like a perfect day to me.
Address: 2302 Strand, Galveston, TX
Hours: 6am-6pm
Fees: Tickets range in price from $13 up to $50
For more information, https://yagaschiliquest.com

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Plano - Hotcake Hustle - January 11, 2025

Plano, Texas - Hot Cake Hustle
January 11, 2025
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
Conquer your new years resolution with this fun run along the nature trails of Oak Point Nature Preserve. There are many race options including a Virtual Run, 5K and 10K. Included with the entry fee is a shirt, medal and bib. The best part, however, comes after the run with FREE pancakes, a hot chocolate bar, FREE beer garden for adults, and a party with a live DJ.
Address: 5901 Los Rios Blvd., Plano, TX
Hours: 8am
Fees: Entry fees range from $34-$79
For more information, https://events.visitplano.com/event/hot-cake-hustle

Book Review - Travel Hacks by Keith Bradford

I stumbled on this fabulous book, "Travel Hacks" by Keith Bradford, at my local library while researching cruises and cruise ships (they were in the same section). This little book is packed with over 600 tricks and tips to make your travel adventures easier. Find tips for booking your flights, road trips, traveling with pets and kids, hotel rooms, and more. Get app suggestions. Find basic language and customs tips for several international countries. I'll just highlight a few that I found useful.

Tip #113 - Take a quick photo of yourself with your luggage before leaving for the airport. In the unfortunate event that your luggage gets lost, the photo helps the airline track it down and proves that you own it.

Tip #168 - When you are handed a luggage claim ticket (for when youy check in your bag), immediately take a picture of it with your phone. If it becomes lost, you can still claim your property without a hassle

Tip #188 - Always take a screenshot of your mobile boarding pass before you leave for the airport. You don't want to have to rely on an Internet connection to be able to get on your plane. (This has happened to me many times where the TSA is in a dead spot and my internet just spun and spun).

Title: Travel Hacks
Author: Keith Bradford
ISBN: 978-1-5072-1352-0

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