Event - #Travel #Texas - Marshall - Rueggenfest - September 12, 2026

Marshall, Texas - Rueggenfest
September 12, 2026
Rueggenbach Brewing Co
Men, put on your liederhosen. Women, done your favorite dirndls (dress). Let's head to Marshall for a German-inspired festival with games, live bands, craft beers, and lots of heritage.
Check the website for useful "how to get here" information and some links to local hotels.
Some other fun activities: Dauschund Races (at 2:30pm CST), Keg Rolling (at 3:00pm CST) and Yodeling (at 6:00pm CST). Plus costume contests and other fun activities. Prost!

Address: 108 W. Houston St, Marshall, Texas
Hours: 11:00am CST - 8:00pm CST
Fees: FREE but vendor costs vary

For more information, click here: https://www.rueggenbach.com/rueggenfest

Book Review - Fodor's Travel - Mexico City

If you're planning a trip to Mexico City or even a stopover, get this guide. It is full of useful information and full-color maps.

Chapter One highlights Mexico City starting with "20 Ultimate Experiences" with colorful photographs. I like the "What to Eat and Drink in Mexico City" guide (especially for someone from Texas who is used to Tex-Mex) and the "What to Buy in Mexico City" guide. There's "Best Museums" and "Under the Radar" guides as well. And for history buffs, there's "A Brief History of Mexico City".

Chapter Two contains the vital information - "Know Before You Go", "Getting Here and Around", "Essentials" and even a pullout "Helpful Phrases in Spanish" guide.

The next eleven chapters are the various neighborhoods (barios) such as Alameda Central, Benito Juarez, Roma, Condesa, Coyoacan, Sn Angel, and more. Each chapter has a snapshot guide and a full-color map with highlighted bullets along with sights, restaurants, and hotels with ratings and detailed information.

"Side Trips from Mexico City" is a great chapter with suggestions on quick trips to places with ruins or beaches. There's a useful planning section.

The last sections include Maps and Indexes. The very last page includes a handy Metro map.

Overall, a great guide to Mexico City. This book was published in 2024 but still verify all the information before travelling.

Title: Fodor's Mexico City
Author: Fodor's Travel Author
ISBN: 978-1640976993
Pages: 368

This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites it may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any extra cost to you.

Book Review - Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors by David Sobel

If you've never heard of David Sobel, do a quick google search. He has extensive information and has written many books on enjoying nature and the outdoors with including children.

This is a not a travel guide but rather a blend of memoir of David Sobel's family's adventures as they expored nature through different experiences and a guide on how you can enjoy nature with your own family. You might be inspired by the many stories to try new experiences as well.

This book is divided into parts based on a child's developmental phase along with a location that metaphorical aligns with that age. Part one focuses on Early Childhood (which he suggests covers ages two to seven) in the Meadow. Part two deals with Middle Childhood (ages seven through thirteen) in the Forest. Part three goes into Adolescence (ages thirteen up to eighteen) on the Rocky Ridge. Part four jumps up to Early Adulthood (ages over eighteen) in the Orchard.

I found the little snippets throughout the reading where there's a date and David's children's ages so we get context on what they are experiencing.

Chapter Nine disrupts the dreamlike narrative with discussion on the divorce that David experiences (a bit unexpectedly). The desire to continue taking his two children on natural adventures is touching.

Overall, this is a nice read and you may find some suggestions on experiencing your own natural adventures. Try to find a copy at your local library.

Title: Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors
Author: David Sobel
ISBN: 978-0996267694
Pages: 256

This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites it may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any extra cost to you.

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Jacksonville - Tomato Fest - June 13, 2026

Jacksonville, Texas - Tomato Fest
June 13, 2026
Downtown
Lots of fun tomato-themed activities including a Tomato Eating Contest, a Kid Zone, food/drink vendors, markets, talent contests and a car show.
If you stay until 7pm, there is a street party with dancing, music, food/drink vendors, and more. Bring your lawn chair or blanket.
There are other events happening from June 6th through June 14th. Check their site for details.

Address: Commerce Street
Hours: 8am - 11pm CST
Fees: Free with various costs for activities

For more information, click here: https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/tomato-fest/

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Amarillo - Texas Route 66 Festival - June 4-13, 2026

Amarillo, Texas - Texas Route 66 Festival
June 4-13, 2026
Amarillo Route 66 Historic District
This year is the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and all along the route cities are hosting different festivals and events.
Amarillo was a big stop along the Texas' portion of that route and they are hosting 10 days of fun events starting June 4th.
June 4th is the kickoff to the festivities with several activities during the day and the big Coors Ranch Rodeo from 7-10pm (purchase tickets via website).
June 5th through 7th features the Route 66 Grand Prix in nearby Panhandle, Texas (purchase tickets via website).
June 5th at 7pm you can enjoy fireworks at Hodgetown (715 S. Buchanan)
June 6ht enjoy a Cattle Drive and Parade starting at 10am at the Tri-State Fairgrounds (1000 S. Polk St.).
Be sure to come for the Festival Finale on June 13th throughout the historic district. There will be free shuttles going around if you need them. Check the website for all the events and times.

Address: Southwest Sixth Avenue and Route 66 (Historic District)
Hours: Varies
Fees: Varies

For more information, click here: https://texasroute66festival.com/

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Houston - Juneteenth Houston - June 1-20, 2026

Houston, Texas - Juneteeth Houston
June 1-20, 2026
Emancipation Park
Juneteenth events will take place over 19 days starting with the season opener on June 1st at Mo Brunch + Brews (1201 Southmore) from 6pm-7pm. Events are open to anyone.

The big event is the Annual Celebrate Freedom Festival on June 6th from 1pm-7pm at the Emancipation Park.

Also on June 6th are the Historic House Tours and enjoying Tea Cakes at The Heritage Society (1100 Bagby St.). Verify times on their website. The tour will include three historic houses that are designated by UNESCO as Sites of Memory for their “Routes of Enslaved Peoples’ Project” - 1847 Kellum-Noble House; 1866 Fourth Ward Cottage; and 1870 Yates House.

Enjoy some music on June 12th at 415 Gray with the "Sounds of Midtown: Roots to Rhythm" from 5pm-10pm.

The next day features Acres Home Juneteenth Parade. It starts at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center (6719 W Montgomery Rd) at 10am.
Check the website below for the many, many other events available.

Address: 3018 Emancipation Ave, Houston, Texas
Hours: Varies by event
Fees: Varies by event

For more information, click here: https://texaspinball.com/

Book Review - Official Guide to the Smithsonian

This is a nice quick-reference guide to the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC and two in New York City. Each museum is listed with a general description of what it holds, location, hours, the subway stations to utilize, the website, and a few photographs highlighting the exhibits on display.

The book starts with an introduction to the Smithsonian followed by information on visiting Washington DC including transportation tips and getting around.

The Museums on or near the National Mall: National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, National Museum of African Art, Arts and Industries Building, Hirshhorn Museum and Scultpture Garden, National Postal Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The locations in the Washington DC metro area include the National Zoo, Anacostia Community Museum, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

And the two locations in New York City include Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and George Gustav Heye Center.

While looking through this book, keep in mind it was published in 2021 so a lot of the hours and whether you need to reserve a visit time or not should be checked via the websites ahead of time.

Interesting guide but try to find it at your local library.

Title: Official Guide to the Smithsonian
Author: Smithsonian Institute
ISBN: 978-1588346827
Pages: 240

This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.