What to visit in Texas?

[DarthTex]

ok, more details: We are going from Austin to Las Vegas. What's the best trip in respect to sight-seeing and the like?

Like JH mentions above, get AAA to suggest/list events in each city and places to stay. I would suggest after "touring" Austin, head south on IH35 to San Marcos (there's a giant outlet mall there with gobs of stores), then stop in New Braunfels/Gruene (pronounced "green") to do some "tubing" (floating on a cold river in the heat of summer relaxing and drinking beer ), continue south on IH35 to San Antonio. Just outside the city limits visit Natural Bridge Caverns like JH mentioned (it's nice to see). Now in July, there aren't to many festivals and such because it's just too gosh darn hot. But, there are the "Missions" (there are 7 missions built by the Spanish; back in my younger days , that are nice to visit). The "Alamo" is one of them, plus since it is downtown there are several shops/museums/malls and such to visit (if you go downtown, make sure to visit the River Walk and Market Square ). Now, after visiting San Antonio, I would suggest going west on Highway 90 to Del Rio, then to Big Bend Nation Park (the park has its own website and if you want to stay there, get reservations early ). AAA might suggest sticking to the main highway (IH10), but you'll miss all of the local scenery by doing so. I haven't visited Del Rio much, so I don't really know what to visit there. There is a big lake there with water activities and a prehistoric Indian site that's very interesting. Big Bend is wonderful for hiking and such, with a wide variety of hiking trails and activities. The local towns around the park are quite fascinating also. I'm heading out to Big Bend this summer myself for a little "commune" with nature at the end of June. After Big Bend head to El Paso. I've never been to El Paso, so you'll have to rely on AAA or the local tourism people/website on what to do there. Other than that, all I can say is see the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam (outside Lav Vegas) and have a good time on "the Strip" (in Las Vegas; the food is inexpensive at the casinos )

[Darth_Rob]

Hey Tex is there any Sasquatch relatives in Texas?

[DarthTex]

Hey Tex is there any Sasquatch relatives in Texas?

Only if I don't shave after a month

 

I haven't heard of any. It's usually way too hot for a furry fellow to hang around, ya know? But east Texas is milder with some nice forested areas, so that could be a possible vacation spot if he/they ever migrate south for the winter

[Verdex]

This is just to say thanks to everybody - especially DarthTex

[DarthTex]

This is just to say thanks to everybody - especially DarthTex

No problem amigo. I hope you enjoy your stay. Take lots of pictures and keep a daily journal for prosperity's sake. Maybe you could post a few when you get back

[Defender_16]

Had to post this. I know we've all seen it before but it belongs in this theread.

 

[Verdex]

Hey guys, in addition: What about Los Alamos and ... Area 51 (believe it or not, it was the 'little woman' who came up with this last one)? Is any of these worth travelling there? Especially with Area 51 I strongly doubt that there will be anything to see...

[Darth_Rob]

As I said earlier, avoid the Roswell area. It is a strange land that has become a tourist trap of coffee shops selling "I went to Roswell and all I got was abducted" t-shirts and alien-head coffee mugs. I mean, unless you like the idea of sitting down in some weird diner and listening to Bubba tell you about the time he was walking Sparky down by the river when suddenly he saw a light in the sky, and it beamed him up and he was probed and the aliens told him it was for the good of the universe.

[DarthTex]

Hey guys, in addition: What about Los Alamos and ... Area 51 (believe it or not, it was the 'little woman' who came up with this last one)? Is any of these worth travelling there? Especially with Area 51 I strongly doubt that there will be anything to see...

Los Alamos has the gov't research facility, which won't give you a tour; but still somehow let's secrets escape like a sieve.

 

Unless you have a very high power telescope, or a plane, or both ... you won't see anything but desert, gov't warning signs and patrols at Area 51. And these guys (the patrols) are hardass serious about EVERYTHING; they'll lock you up first and take their time asking questions ... if they ask any at all

[Verdex]

And these guys (the patrols) are hardass serious about EVERYTHING; they'll lock you up first and take their time asking questions ... if they ask any at all

 

Hmm, d'you think we could recruit them for the Empire?

[Mad78]

I don't think they would be tough enough for the Empire.

[DarthTex]

I don't think they would be tough enough for the Empire.

For all we know they probably already work for the Empire

[Mad78]

Needs to be proven. Have you seen them discriminating any Aliens recently?

[DarthTex]

Needs to be proven. Have you seen them discriminating any Aliens recently?

It's Area 51, they keep all of the aliens locked up. What more proof do you need?

[Eagle]

I wished they were. They´ve just rang on my door and wanted to give me their "watchtower".

[Defender_16]

Which watchtower, Stars' End? Edited February 12, 2007 by Defender_16

[Verdex]

@ Eagle: They don't know that one obviously. Lucky Gringos

[Eagle]

Maybe they haven´t reached canada yet.

[Verdex]

Yeah - and they have to thank *me*, at least partly:

 

When these guys catch me in the right mood I invite them into our house to debate evolution and such things for *hours*. Of course, this keeps them from getting far, so Canada is out of reach

[JediHunter]

oh no.. they are here.. and in high numbers... always asking if i found jesus... so i say is he hiding?..

[Verdex]

I sometimes try this line: "That Jesus-dude? Hasn't he got his own tv show in South Park?!"

 

Unfortunately, so far no-one got the joke...

[Verdex]

We're back Well, we're back for several weeks now, but I just wanted to thank anyone - especially DarthTex - who responded to my initial question about sight-seeing in Texas.

 

Trip was great, except for:

 

1.) Las Vegas - sooo boring after just five minutes and

2.) this place near Bryce Canyon: http://brycevalleyinnsucks.dreipage.de/

 

Bryce Canyon itself was beautiful, though!

 

Again - thanks to everybody !

[Darth_Rob]

Trip was great, except for:

1.) Las Vegas - sooo boring after just five minutes

 

Are you being sarcastic or were you seriously unimpressed with Vegas? I've never been, but I've always heard nothing but good things from friends and family who have made the trip.

 

Otherwise, glad you enjoyed the rest of your trip.

Edited September 5, 2007 by Darth_Rob

[Verdex]

No, I am serious - Vegas was a letdown (at least for me)

 

The funniest thing was when I was nearly thrown out of "Ceasar's Palace", story goes like this:

 

Any big building on the 'Strip' is a casino packed with slot-machines and gambling tables. Obviously due to some law, no-one under the age of 16 is allowed nearer than ten feet to these. On the other hand they build things to visit (like roller-coasters and cages with lions for example) right *at the end* of the building so you have to cross it.

 

So, my family and me were on our straight way to some sort of 'must-see' when my girl-friend had to stop at a restroom. So there I was with our *ten-year old boy* some five feet away from the next table waiting for her to return. Within 30 seconds (!) the manager of the table started complaining I couldn't stand there with the boy. Well, I got really angry because of the stupidity of this and told him so. Luckily my girl came back that moment otherwise I guess they would have thrown me out

 

Memories to keep...

[JediHunter]

glad to hear you had a good time Verdex sorry to hear about the poor conditions in Utah though.. that definately were some nasty pictures... So did you ever go to the Alamo or Natural Bridge Caverns?.. I heard it wasnt all that hot in Texas this summer either.. so the weather was probably favorable for outdoor stuff i take?