TexasTripper Travel Blog

Ad Campaign Urges Texans to Get Outside

With school out, there's no better time to enjoy Texas outdoors...but if you need a little nudging, there's a new Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. ad program called Life’s Better Outside.

“State parks and the great outdoors are healthy, fun, educational—these things are all true,” said Lydia Saldaña TPWD communications director. “But research has also shown that the natural world is ideally conducive to provide something important that is missing for most modern families— the opportunity for quality time spent together.”

The ad is the creation of Austin's GSD&M, firm that created “Don’t Mess With Texas,” the anti-litter public education campaign.

Labels: State Parks

posted by Paris & John @ 1:18 PM 0 comments links to this post

Gas Refund at Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club

Here's an interesting offer we just received: Doral Tesoro Hotel and Golf Club -- the Official Hotel of the Texas Motor Speedway -- is offering families "speedy relief" with a $40 gas refund now through Labor Day with a minimum two-night stay.

Doral Tesoro is located 20 minutes from downtown Fort Worth; rates are $119 per night (tax not included), per room. The hotel is situated along a former cattle ranch, lined with 100-year-old oaks and free-flowing creeks, and features 286 oversized guest rooms overlooking the golf course, two family-friendly restaurants and an outdoor pool and hot tub. Older teens and kids-at-heart refuel spirits with the Team Texas High Performance Driving School at the Texas Motor Speedway, providing intense laps of pure adrenaline from the passenger seat of a real race car driven by a professional racing instructor.

For More Information:
To take advantage of the gas refund, call Doral Tesoro Hotel and Golf Club at 817-961-0800 or visit http://www.doraltesoro.com .

Labels: Fort Worth

posted by Paris & John @ 10:59 AM 0 comments links to this post

New Aviation Play Areas at DFW

If you are one of the 16 million travelers headed through DFW International Airport this summer, you might notice the new Junior Flyer's Clubs. Sponsored by Pepsi, the play areas feature more than 1,200 square feet of aviation-themed play areas for kids.

Labels: Dallas

posted by Paris & John @ 10:52 AM 0 comments links to this post

Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History Building New Facility

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History will be constructing a new facility to begin in 2007 with completion in 2009.

During construction, the Omni Theater, an IMAX(R) dome, will remain open. The Museum School(R) will operate across the street, south of the museum, in portable classrooms lent by the Fort Worth Independent School District. The museum will host some exhibits at an alternate nearby location and will announce those details soon.

Labels: Fort Worth

posted by Paris & John @ 10:50 AM 0 comments links to this post

Hill Country's Harvest Wine Trail Events Announced

Summer hasn't yet started but it's time to mark your calendars for an end-of-summer event: the annual Harvest Wine Trail held in the Hill Country. Held the last two weekends of August, the event celebrates the grape harvest.

At Johnson City's Texas Hills Vineyard, the event will include a glass of wine paired with a selection of artisan cheeses and crackers on the patio while stomping grapes to the romantic sounds of Italian music. Guests can even footprint a t-shirt to remember the occasion. David Lewis of Bistro Blends of Texas (Spicewood, Texas) will be at the winery both weekends to sample some of the Bistro Blends vinegars and oils and share recipes and on incorporating these amazing products into your cuisine at home.

The Event:
Trail events will be held August 19-20 and 26-27, 2006. Stomp hours are 10-5 on Saturdays and 12-5 on Sundays.

For More Information:
• visit www.texaswinetrail.com/

Labels: Hill Country

posted by Paris & John @ 10:38 AM 0 comments links to this post

Canadians Teach Texans About 'Que?

We just received this interesting bit of information about two Canadians from Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada, the founders of Smokin' Grill Gourmet Grilling Products, at this time available only in Texas. We haven't tried their product; if you do, be sure to drop us a line and give us your opinion!

They are calling them the “Ben & Jerry of BBQ sauce”. Tom Piros, a district school counsellor from Cranbrook, BC, and Roger Smith, a high school janitor from Rossland, BC, are just back from Texas where their products were launched across the state in the high-end grocery chain, Central Market. Central Market has locations in Dallas, Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Plano. By the end of the month, Smokin’ Grill mari-sauces will also be available in Canada.

What’s so special about Smokin’ Grill mari-sauces? The secret is in the 03 Factor. Smokin’ Grill has ZERO fat, ZERO carbohydrates and ZERO calories. What Smokin’ Grill does have is great taste and an insanely easy method of application. And Smokin’ Grill mari-sauces are versatile – for easy, fast flavor, use them as a sauce. For a more intense taste, use them as a marinade.

“Smokin’ Grill lets you get the great taste of marinating without the time and effort,” says company co-founder Smith. “Smokin’ Grill products are just sprayed onto the food during the grilling process. Because there is no sticky tomato sauce or sugar added, the mari-sauce doesn’t mask the taste of the meat, it enhances it. Plus, you can spray it on ahead of time, like a marinade, or use it after grilling in a dipping bowl, for added zest. It’s your choice.”

Smokin’ Grill mari-sauces come in three different flavors – Smokin’ Roosta – the original mari-sauce with mild spices, Diamond Back – a medium-heat mari-sauce, and Scorpion Sting, the hottest of the mari-sauces. Plans are in the works for additional flavors including a lemon-lime garlic mari-sauce and fajita mari-sauce. It was the unique format and nature of Smokin’ Grill products that intrigued the Texans.

”The Smokin’ Grill products have a real 'huh?' factor,” says Randy Hill, a sales representative for Central Market stores in Texas. “People have never seen anything like this before. They are excited to see something new and different. Then when they taste it, they are blown away. And it is healthy too!”

The idea for Smokin’ Grill was developed by Piros over many years. While working as a white-water rafting guide on BC’s spectacular rivers, Piros noticed that fellow guides used water-filled spray bottles to avoid charring the food they were cooking for guests. After a while, Piros came up with the idea of adding spices and flavouring to the water.

“I’ve always enjoyed cooking and I’ve never used recipes,” says Piros. “I experimented with all of the condiments in the fridge – soy sauce, lemon juice, Korean pastes, oyster sauce. I even researched different types of peppers and flavour concentrates. I just did it for fun.”

Piros and Smith have been friends ever since they played on opposing teams in a Peewee Hockey League in Rossland, BC. Two years ago, Piros invited Smith over for dinner. When Smith arrived at the door, Piros’ wife wouldn’t let him go into the backyard where Piros was grilling. Piros served up a plate of food cooked with his special mari-sauce and Smith was blown away.

“By the third bite, I said, “I don’t know what you did, but it’s fantastic””, says Smith.

Piros refused to reveal his secret until a week later. He asked Smith if he was still impressed by the flavor of the food he had been served and Smith said he was. Piros then told him about the mari-sauce and asked Smith if he would be his partner. Originally, the two friends planned to run a small scale operation, selling the sauce at rodeos and Farmers’ Markets, but a local economic development officer encouraged them to aim high. And they certainly did.

“We went right to the top,” chuckles Piros. “One morning I told my wife, I’m going downstairs to work on the computer and I am not coming up until I get a meeting with a major grocery chain.”

Initial scepticism on the part of the retailers turned into unqualified support when they recognised the commitment and integrity of Piros and Smith, two newcomers to the grocery world. But ultimately it’s the taste that counts.

“One bite and it seems to open the door widely,” laughs Piros. “We bring them samples made with the various mari-sauces and they are just amazed. They can’t believe that two Canucks can come into the heartland of “Grilling USA” and show them that there is an easy, healthy alternative to traditional BBQ sauces and marinades.”

For these small town boys, their success is a dream come true. They were both close to tears when they saw their products on display in a Houston grocery store last month. They are still holding down their regular jobs. Piros counsels children and families at three different elementary schools in Cranbrook, as well as developing programs to educate children about bullying, violence and health issues.

Smith – or “Smitty” as everyone calls him – is on disability leave from his position as a “custodial engineer” at the high school in Rossland. Smith has worked in a number of fields including mining and finance, but he has made a real mark on the kids at the school where he has worked for the past 15 years. This spring, the graduating class of 2006 asked him to make the commencement address at their graduation ceremony.

For More Information:
• visit www.smokin-grill.com

posted by Paris & John @ 10:15 AM 0 comments links to this post

Summer Activities, Music at Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Summer is right around the corner and we've started receiving information on the summer activities planned throughout the state. We just received a press release with information on some special musical and even poolside entertainment at Austin's Barton Creek Resort and spa in the coming months:

Blues & Barbeque: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 27, 6 pm – 10 pm at the Resort Pool. Dance to the tunes of Legendary Texas Blues Master, W.C. Clark, who has mentored countless young blues artists, including Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, Lou Ann Barton, Marcia Ball, Kim Wilson, and Will Sexton. Enjoy smoked Texas brisket, St. Louis Spare Ribs, grilled Chicago style bratwurst and the blues for $25 adults, $14 children ages 6-12.

Lobster Boil Buffet: Fourth of July Weekend, Saturday, July 1, 6 pm – 10 pm at the Resort Pavilion. Austin’s Latin Salsa band, The Brew, will have you dancing the night away with its style of electrifying Latin-Jazz. Steamed whole Maine lobster is the highlight of the buffet. $48 adults, $16 children ages 6-12. Children’s buffet available.

Fireworks Display: Saturday, July 1, 9:30 pm. Enjoy the show from the Resort Pavilion, the pool, or the Hill Country Veranda. The annual fireworks display creates a magical effect on the Fazio Foothills fairways.

Summer’s End in Texas: Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 2, 6 pm – 10 pm at the Resort Pool. Dance to the sounds of Bob Schneider. Enjoy a lavish buffet during the party featuring grilled baby Angus Sirloin, a shrimp and oyster bar and more. $29 adults, $18 children ages 6-12.

For more information:
• call 1-800-336-6158 or 512-329-4000
• visit www.bartoncreek.com

Labels: Hill Country

posted by Paris & John @ 10:04 AM 0 comments links to this post

Austin Additions: From Outlets to Performing Arts

Those of you who have been to Austin lately know how much (how very, very much) the capital city is growing. We wrote last week about the opening of the new Blanton Art Museum but you can also look forward to these additions in the coming months:

Round Rock Premium Outlets (opening Aug. 2006) - The 120-outlet center along IH-35 North in nearby Round Rock will offer discount shops for apparel, shoes, fashion accessories, leather goods, home furnishings and gifts. The single level outdoor village follows the architectural scheme of the Texas Hill Country.

IKEA (Under construction - projected opening Spring 2007) - The Swedish retailer comes to Central Texas with a 250,000-square-foot store located next to the new Round Rock Premium Outlet. The mega shopping experience includes 50 different room settings, three complete homes, a children’s play area and restaurant specializing in Swedish foods.

Austin Market District (Construction begins 2006) - This project includes the redevelopment and expansion of the old Whole Foods building, which still houses the city’s largest independent bookstore, BookPeople. It also adds retailers such as Anthropologie and REI as well as restaurants and office space to the intersection of Sixth Street & Lamar Boulevard.

Mexican-American Cultural Center (Under construction - projected opening March 2007) - This 126,000-square-foot cultural center will be dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation and promotion of Mexican-American cultural arts and heritage.

Domain Shopping Center (Under construction - projected opening Spring 2007) - Texas-based Neiman Marcus anchors an upscale shopping center in northwest Austin that also features 70 other restaurants and stores, including another new Whole Foods Market. Mopac Boulevard (Loop 1) between Braker Lane and Burnet Road.

Long Center for the Performing Arts (under construction, projected opening March 2008) - This project, located at the site of the old Palmer Auditorium, is the centerpiece of a 54-acre cultural park on the shores of Town Lake. The center will provide a permanent home for performances of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Austin and Austin Lyric Opera, as well as performance space for some 200 smaller performing arts groups in Central Texas.

Labels: Hill Country

posted by Paris & John @ 1:14 PM 0 comments links to this post

New Spa in Dallas Promises bliss

We received a press release today for what they're calling "the best little 'pore' house in Texas"...bliss dallas. Opening in June at the stylish W Dallas-Victory hotel, bliss (yes, it's just bliss) promises some exciting new innovations on the Texas spa scene including movie-while-you-manicure nail stations and a legendary brownie buffet. Look for these special treatments at the new spa:

• the triple oxygen treatment: This complexion reviver includes intensive cleansing, exfoliating, a fruit acid wash, a pre-extraction oxygen wrap, a calming oxygen and milk mask, hydrating enzyme pack, and vitaminized oxygen spray.

• blissage™ 75: A 75-minute combination of Swedish and Shiatsu techniques, begins with a warm wax foot softening pack, and is designed to loosen you up and target your most trouble muscles.

• the hot milk and almond pedicure™: Following an intensive dry-buffing with a fierce diamond-sided flexible fiberglass callus fighter, feet are softened in steamed whole milk and almond oil.

Labels: Dallas

posted by Paris & John @ 1:04 PM 0 comments links to this post

New Rides at Six Flags Over Texas

Arlington's Six Flags Over Texas has long (make that 45 years!) been a family favorite in the Lone Star State. This season, the park is celebrating with 10 new rides.

• Blackbird – Spread your wings and fly high in the sky as nine planes zip around an oval-shaped course. Each plane can accommodate up to four children or one adult and two children.

• La Fiesta de las Tazas – Spin around super fast or slow it down to savor the experience.

• Rock-N-Rocket – Zip into orbit as the rocket and its 50 passengers make several exhilarating 360-degree loops before swinging back earthward for a gentle stop.

• Rodeo – True Texans love a good rodeo. Cowboys and cowgirls alike can test their riding skills on these bucking bulls. Saddle up!

• Crazy Legs – Whirling, twirling fun for the whole family. This “crazy” ride moves in a circular fashion with gondolas that move in the opposite direction.

• Caddo Lake Barge – A high capacity family attraction, the Caddo Lake Barge features a unique combination of rocking motions and has received top awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

• Sidewinder – A ride commonly referred to as the “scrambler” received its original name from the way it looks while in operation, resembling scrambling eggs.

• Up, Up & Away – Experience a breathtaking view of the park while riding on unique hot air balloons. Up, up and away we go!

• Boot Scootin’ – These boots are made for walkin’ or in this case…ridin’! Try these on for size in a one-of-a-kind interactive bouncing ride experience.

• Interactive Spray Ground – This sounds like our speed: water fun (perfect for cooling off on those hot Texas summer days).

For More Information:

• visit www.sixflags.com

posted by Paris & John @ 4:52 PM 0 comments links to this post

More State Parks Reopen After Hurricane Rita

East Texas's Village Creek State Park reopened on Monday, May 1 after recovering from Hurricane Rita. About half of the park's facilities, excluding eight water-and-electric campsites, 12 of 15 picnic sites, all 16 walk-in tent campsites, group camping area and three miles of trails, are again accessible to the public, according to Jerry Rashall, park superintendent. He said 17 of 25 water and electric campsites, park headquarters, restrooms with showers, a cabin, dump station, picnic pavilion, playground and canoe launch are back in operation.

For More Information:
• call the park at (409) 755-7322

Martin Dies Jr. State Park Reopened

At Martin Dies Jr., 31 water-and-electric campsites, 19 screened shelters, a mini-cabin and 35 water-only campsites in the Hen House Ridge unit are available for overnight camping.

Much of the money for the repairs thus far has come from the sale of timber salvaged from the park’s numerous downed old growth pines and hardwoods.

For more information about Martin Dies Jr. State Park:
• call the park at (409) 384-5231

posted by Paris & John @ 4:46 PM 0 comments links to this post

Celebrate National Barbecue Month!

Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month? OK, in Texas just about every month is barbecue month, but this makes it official. The month is proclaimed by the National Barbecue Association (which is based in Austin but covers 'que around the country.)

Wondering where you should grab some Texas barbecue...or what to put in your smoker? Check out our Texas Barbecue section with reviews of some of the hottest pits in the state plus a growing number of barbecue recipes.

posted by Paris & John @ 6:04 PM 0 comments links to this post

Blanton Museum Opens in Austin

After a long wait, the new Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art on the UT campus is now open. The museum opened its doors on Sunday but we're waiting for the crowds to slack off before we head to the museum, then we'll be back to give you a full report. The museum sounds great: more than 17,000 works of art and 180,000 square feet of exhibition space, the largest university-owned art museum in the United States.

The museum is exciting not only because of its expansive art collection but because Austin now has its own official museum district. The Blanton joins UT museums: the Texas Memorial Museum, about the natural history of the state, and the Harry Ransom Center, one of the world’s great cultural archives. Nearby, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum documents the American experience under Johnson’s presidency. Just across the street from the Blanton, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum celebrates Texas’ diverse history with numerous displays and multimedia presentations including an IMAX theater.

For more:
• visit Blanton Museum of Art
• call 512.471.7324.

Labels: Austin

posted by Paris & John @ 4:03 PM 0 comments links to this post

Cinco de Mayo Coming Up

Later this week, Cinco de Mayo celebrations will be held throughout the state, with especially large festivals in Austin and San Antonio. Check out our new page on Cinco de Mayo with info on the largest celebrations and the historic background behind this important day.

posted by Paris & John @ 11:43 AM 0 comments links to this post

San Antonio's Houston Street Fair & Market

There are always lots of good reasons to plan a weekend in San Antonio but, on the last Saturday of every month, you've got one more: the Houston Street Fair and Market. This pedestrian-friendly fair is held noon until 6 p.m. and welcomes families with street performers, face painting, storytelling, rides, arts, crafts by local artisans and more--including plenty of fair food ranging from turkey legs to tacos.

Free parking is available.

Future dates for this year:

- May 27
- June 24
- July 29
- August 26
- September 30

For further information:
• visit sanantonio.gov/houstonstreetfair
• call 210-841-3217

posted by Paris & John @ 11:40 AM 0 comments links to this post