5 on Fridays - Five Spring Break Destinations in Texas
With Spring Break just a few weeks away it’s time to start booking if you are looking to take a little vacation. Texas is a perfect destination for Spring Break with it’s mild temperatures, sunny days and beautiful landscape. There are so many different flavors of Texas from the tumble weeds and mountains of Big Bend to the soft sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a beautiful, affordable, family centered southern state with many options for everyone. Today I’m sharing what to wear, where to go and things to do in five Texas destinations!
Big Bend National Park
Visiting Big Bend National Park is a sight you cannot miss if you live in Texas or New Mexico. First of all, it’s absolutely HUGE! There are many little surrounding towns to stay if in if you aren’t up for camping at the park. You can also rent an RV and take it out there if you are concerned about accommodations near the park or ride the Amtrak instead of driving. Hiking Lost Mines Peak and the Santa Elena Gorge during the mild temperatures of March make this a magical experience. You can kayak to Mexico on a day trip or stop at the local shops in Marathon. West Texas is perfect for an adventure seeking outdoor vacation. Make sure to bring cowboy boots, a canvas backpack and lots of water!
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Brenham
Brenham, Chappell Hill and Navasota all sit within a thirty minute drive between each other and Spring is THE time to visit these locations. With fields of indigo bluebonnets and poppy colored indian paintbrush wildflowers this area is the perfect destination for a countryside getaway. All three small towns have sweet little bed and breakfasts (check out the Red Velvet Inn for dog friendly rooms) and charming downtown squares. You can shop at local farmers markets or stop to have a bite to eat at one of the delicious southern restaurants. This time of year is a little tricky on weather temperatures. You’ll want to have a coat handy but be able to take it off to reveal something suited for warmer weather. You really never know in Texas. One day it’s 30 degrees and the next 80. Be prepared and bring layers.
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Boerne
From the first moment I drove through this city outside of San Antonio I fell in love. The city is just plain beautiful. It’s filled with the sweetest bistros and eateries. You can hike down through Cascade Caverns or drive a few minutes west to visit an apple farm and orchard. Float the Medina River and see the Cowboy Capital of the town of Bandera, TX (John Wayne and many historic figures spent so much time in this part of Texas). Stay on a ranch by booking an AirBnB. You can also visit some of the surrounding state parks if you are interested in getting some outdoor activities in.
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Ft. Worth Stockyards
Nestled just 30 minutes west of Dallas, TX you’ll find that Ft. Worth is a popular destination for a national historic western town filled with musicians and local vendors. You can stop at the Ft. Worth Stockyards, shop the antique shops, go to a local dance hall and pick up a pair of cowboy boots here. Take a day trip over to Dallas for additional fun or drive into other parts of Ft. Worth for additional activities.
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Gulf Coast
This area is popping during Spring Break. If you are even considering going here go ahead and BOOK NOW! It fills up fast and there are so many beautiful spots along the Texas coast. Visit Rockport for camping on the beach or stay at Jamaica Beach along one of the canal homes where you can fish right off your patio. Ride the ferry out to Crystal Beach for the best sand with a picnic in hand or take the kids to the Kemah Boardwalk for a day of rides and family fun. It’s usually pretty warm in this part of Texas so feel free to bring along a few swimsuits and enjoy the beautiful weather.
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What are your favorite Texas destinations?
I believe the world is a giant playground filled with magical corners. I believe heaven lies in running through a sunflower field at sunset, floating on the river with people you love, and being able to take long sunset drives with someone special.
It’s no secret around here that I’m an earth lover. As much as I am kinda girly I have this adventurous side that loves to get outdoors no matter what. I feel the happiest laying in the sunshine and feeling the soft breeze blow across my face. I was so excited to partner with Sarah Flint - a woman-owned company that specializes in Italian shoes because of the company’s mission to provide products made in facilities with sustainable materials. The Sustainable Steps Collection from Sarah Flint breeds the best of luxury fashion with sustainability. You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort anymore! Each pair is hand crafted in Italy by artisans using the most eco-friendly materials.
I’ll be honest. I’ve been in mostly knits for the past 10 days. Ever since I made it back from my trip to Colorado, I’ve been a complete hermit. Yep, snuggled up on the couch with my dog and journal morning and night. It’s been incredible and much-needed. I’ve been working all year so far out of my house. Each evening doing little projects around the house and during the daytime working with clients. My uniform looks the equivalent of what I wore when I was in Amarillo which includes this incredible sweater that is the softest material ever and these snuggly pants. If there is one outfit you need in your life right now it’s this one. I’ve been wearing several pairs of sweater pants like these joggers, this pair of wide-legged and I’ve featured these several times on the blog over the years. They are a great alternative to sweat pants and you can lounge, walk or run errands in them.
A few weeks ago I stumbled across a documentary on Amazon Prime about being a highly sensitive person. I had no idea this was even a thing in life but immediately connected with the content. I am extremely sensitive to sunlight, overhead lights, and brightness. If a siren is sounding in the background, I struggle to concentrate on anything except the repetitive noise. After a social event, I feel completely wiped out and want to spend the next day doing my own thing in my environment. Does any of this sound familiar to you? This post may help! 15-20% of people and animals are classified as highly sensitive. They pick up on small details most would overlook and they have a heightened sense of taste, touch, hearing, sight, and smell. When they are bombarded by too many new experiences or strong things they end up feeling frazzled. Welp, that’s me!
Spring is about a month away and I’m itching for this time of year. I love the color of the flowers that bloom and come out of hiding after a barren bleak Winter. As we move into the transition between Spring and Winter I try to refresh my closet with a few new added pieces. This season I’m adding touches of woven raffia (like the slides from Wal-mart featured here) and patchwork (this skirt is a total steal from Amazon). As I look to high end designers like Zimmerman, Etro and LoveShackFancy I see their inventory is flooded with mix and match prints. I love taking inspiration from luxury fashion and incorporating those themes into a budget friendly wardrobe.
It’s been a minute since I posted a Small Town Charm post. Yesterday, I took a day trip to my old college stomping ground in Huntsville, TX. It’s been a few year years since I made that journey and remembered just how pretty it was during the Fall and Spring. It’s about a 45 minute drive from College Station and an hour and a half from Houston. The perfect getaway for antique shopping, coffee and lunch. The sky was a clear blue which made the drive even more enjoyable! I spent a few hours picking up a few gifts in the anitique stores and then grabbed a really delicious Sipsy’s latte at a local coffee shop. Did you know that Huntsville has a ton of history in its downtown and surrounding areas? Yep, in the mid-1800’s it was a spot where General Sam Houston stayed! In fact, the corner I’m standing on below was a location he spent time in! History is so much fun when you start imaging all of the places and situations people have been in before in the exact same spots.
This weekend was one of those magical moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Just filled with the best weather, activities, rest and joy. I believe in perfect timing in life. There is a time for everything. Sometimes we have periods of rough roads while other times are smooth sailing. This weekend was smooth sailing. A few years ago I noticed on my drives from Houston to College Station there was a little farm right outside of Navasota, TX. Usually I was traveling for overnight trips and had my dog with me so I never made the stop. Now that I live in College Station I decided to take a day trip out to the Honey Farm and check it out.
Oh my dear - are we all in for a treat of ambiguity on the daily. I don’t know about you, but I am itching to go places. Travel is one of the things I work hard for, and right now that’s limited. I have been anxiously practicing social distancing as if going to the grocery store was human dodgeball, but my soul still loves to wander. What’s a girl to do?
Yesterday I took a little road trip to Waco, TX to visit the incredibly elegant newly renovated boutique Hotel 1928. Designed by Chip and Joanna Gaines! The project was to restore a cornerstone building in downtown Waco, TX, and preserve the turn of the century hospitality. There are so many corners, nooks, and details to awe over as you explore this incredible masterpiece. There’s a library downstairs, lounges on the ground floor, a coffee bar, and a Brasserie where I had the most delicious baked cheese! There’s also 33 rooms and a rooftop terrace. Whether you are looking to stay overnight, spend the afternoon working out of the lounge, or just grab some food with friends you must stop by!