Thursday, July 18, 2013

Austin In A Day

The state of Texas is usually stereo typed as cowboys riding on horses but be assured it's much more then ranches and farms. If you are thinking about making a trip to the south to Texas' capital, Austin, there's many things to do and, yes, even in one day. So pack your bags and get ready for a surprisingly eventful weekend trip.

First off, there are many places to grab breakfast. If you are in a hurry pass by Round Rock Donuts for the biggest donut the Texas way. Yes it's bigger than your head so plan on sharing.

If you want to sit down and have some protein in the most important meal of the day, no problem. Congress Ave. offers the lovely Magnolia Café, open around the clock, that will not disappoint. From pancakes to omelet's they have got you covered and not to worry, no cutting corners on quantity or quality.

If you feel like sailing down the Colorado River that crosses the middle of Austin by all means do so. Kayaking, canoeing, even stand up paddle boarding are available. You will notice the people of Austin are very active so bicycling, jogging, running, or just walking is very common around the water.

Another alternative to your morning will be to visit Lake Travis. Renting boats or jet skis will keep you very entertained for a few hours. Pricing is very reasonable as well.

Austin has your usual franchise spots for lunch but then again you are in Austin so keep it weird. Support local restaurants and shops when possible. For lunch you have many options.

On South Congress under down town you will see a huge line of decorative trailers that fill the air with the aroma of every genre of food imaginable. Indian, Korean, Mediterranean, Mexican, American, Thai, Italian, and plenty of dessert options. No diet this weekend.

If you want an indoor place to eat, down that same street you will find many other alternatives for a higher price. However a pizza place many locals visit all too many times is Home Slice. Huge slices of pizza and even music make it seem as if you were back in New York.

What to do after? Down Town offers many historic places such the capitol from which many presidents once governed the state of Texas. Court houses and historical districts give a better feeling for the history of this big state.

Dinner and drinks are things Austin knows all too well. If you feel like having barbeque the drive down to Driftwood for The Salt Lick barbeque is sure to satisfy your hunger for delish meat and the best cobbler this side of anywhere. If you feel like staying in the city there is no problem; many restaurants fill down town.

At the end of the day you have done much and taken in different cuisines. Austin offers a lot and make sure you check out it's annual festivals. Tired, yes, but plenty of fun.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Adventerous Wyoming

Wyoming tourism is a relatively well kept secret that few travelers in the United States are aware of. Why is it such a hidden gem that offers a wonderful and exciting vacation? It is because you will have the opportunity of a lifetime to experience the Great Outdoors. After all, do you really want to go somewhere where there are large crowds of people? Or would you rather take your family on a vacation that offers them a chance to really get to know each other through the wonderful beauty of nature?

If this appeals to you, then Wyoming is the right choice for your up and coming vacation. The first thing that you will need to do however is... make a plan of where you want to go in Wyoming and what you want to do. Therefore, going to one of the many Wyoming tourism WebPages will help you to figure out all of the details. This includes both small details such as where to eat as well as large details such as where to stay.

For example, you may be asking yourself the question about what can you and your family actually do while visiting Wyoming? If you enjoy the beauty of the many National Parks or the history and heritage of Native America, then here are a few suggestions of things to do.

First and foremost would be a visit to Yellowstone National Park. You will see many animals in their natural habitat. Just remember to not feed the bears. There are other National Parks in Wyoming as well. You also have Grand Teton National Park and Devils Tower National Park. So as you can imagine, it will take some planning just to make sure that you see them all.

Once you have finished your National Park Tour, how about something a little bit different. Have you ever been to a Western Event such as a Rodeo? Do you like horses and Wild West Shows? How about a trip to one of the numerous town festivals that occur throughout the spring, summer, and fall? It all awaits you in a wonderful state named Wyoming.

Wyoming is not a place to visit if you want 40 floor luxury tower hotels. It is known for its many hospitable bed and breakfast inns. Would you enjoy relaxing for a week or two at a Dude Ranch? Maybe a campground or a RV Park would be more suitable? Then there is always a Wilderness Resort or Lodge? Are you getting the point? The places to stay are as endless as they are adventurous.

So, what do you think? Is it time to make a change when it comes to the family's vacation? Are you ready for adventure, the beauty of nature, and the starry lit evening skies? Then you should check out a Wyoming tourism site on the internet, remember to also visit the State of Wyoming's authorized web page. There you will find all that you require for a family vacation that will be remembered for years.

Eight Tips For Growing A Great Garden

Gardening is a nice healthy way to spend some time relaxing outdoors. In this article we will give you nine tips that can help you enjoy your gardening to the fullest.


  1. Start your plants in pots, once they sprout and grow a little you can transplant them into the garden. This will grow stronger plants and raise their chances of survival. 
  2. Healthy soil is very important for the health of your plants. You can use banana skins and other fruit and vegetable waste to create a compost area where you can mix the waste with your soil. This will create rich soil and very healthy plants
  3. When you choose a place for your garden keep in mind that most garden plants need an average of six hours of sunlight per day. Not all flowers need that much sunlight, however, some do.
  4. It is better not to water your garden while the plants are in direct sunlight, the water acts as a magnifying glass and can damage the plants when the sun is strong. If you decide to water your garden in direct sunlight try to make the water fall directly on the soil without falling on the plants, especially the leaves.
  5. If you don’t want to loose valuable time watering your garden. You can buy special hoses that will leak water out at a slow pace. This will allow you to simply turn on the faucet and enjoy yourself while your plants receive the water that they desperately need. You must be careful, however, not to over water your garden.
  6. When you pick your vegetables keep in mind that pulling at the vegetable to separate it from the plant can cause damage to the plant. It is usually much better to cut the vegetable off of the plant.
  7. If you find that you need to go into the house frequently while gardening taking your shoes on and off can cause a lot of stress. Use some plastic bags, you can slip your shoes into them before entering your house.
  8. If your yard has clay quality soil this can cause stress while trying to dig as it sticks to your shovel. You can try solving this problem by waxing your shovel with car wax. 
  9. As we mentioned before your garden needs a lot of sunlight, this means that you will probably be working in the sun quite a bit. Keep in mind that he ozone isn’t as good as it used to be and there are many risks that come from over exposer to the sun. Don’t forget to use sunscreen and if you are extra sensitive you may want to use a hat and maybe a long sleeve cotton shirt.                               

Gardening can be a very relaxing hobby, some doctors even recommend it as an anti stress activity. Not to mention the joy that comes from eating food that you produced with your very hands! Happy gardening!

A Great Getaway Weekend: Springfield, Illinois

Are you looking for a fun getaway this week-end? If so, may I make a suggestion? If you live anywhere within driving distance of Illinois, a trip to the "Land of Lincoln" will be not only educational but great fun as well.

Springfield, Illinois is in the heart of Lincoln country.  Springfield is where Abraham Lincoln bought a home (the only home he ever owned) and carried on his law practice (you can visit his law office). It is also the city where he and Mary Todd Lincoln started their family and spent many happy and contented years.

Many of the famous Lincoln heritage sites have been preserved and are open for visitors. Let's just run through a few of the more popular Lincoln sites in and around Springfield.

The Lincoln Home.

Located at 8th and Jackson Streets, the Lincoln home has been preserved as part of an eight block historic district. You can actually tour the house where Abraham Lincoln lived between the years of 1844 to 1861. He was living here when he learned he was the winner of the Republican nomination to run for the office of President of the United States. This is also the home he left when he traveled to Washington, and into history, as the nation's 16th president.

Many of the furnishings in the Lincoln home are either antiques from the period or have been lovingly designed to look exactly like the Lincoln's furnishings.

The Train Depot & Lincoln's Farewell Address

When Lincoln left Springfield on his his inaugural journey to the White House, he first gave his famous farewell address in which he acknowledged his many Springfield friends and neighbors. This emotional speech has become one of Lincoln's most famous and was delivered at the train depot prior to boarding his train. The site of the depot has been restored and includes a public exhibit area.

New Salem, Illinois

New Salem is the small village where Lincoln lived in the 1830s. The village has been historically recreated and you can walk through the town, and visit the homes and businesses known to Lincoln lived as a young, single man in his 20s.

The village is located just a few miles from Springfield. Choose a guided tour or just leisurely spend the day wandering through all the homesteads while listening to the village citizens tell stories of the young Lincoln.

The Lincoln Museum

Opened in 2007, the Lincoln Museum has many inspiring exhibits from Lincoln’s life. Visitors are impressed by all of the Lincoln exhibits and artifacts, including a rotating exhibit of the most valuable treasures related to the life of Abraham Lincoln.

When you visit the museum you will also feel the modern touch of the 21st century, including many multimedia exhibits. Don't miss the eye-popping show called "Ghosts of the Library" that incorporates an unbelievable effect called Holavision.

If you want a really inspirational week-end, why not head out to Springfield, Illinois?  There you will be able to visit all the well known sites in the "Land of Lincoln"