June 2012

Austin Hotel powered by solar

Salt water pool. Edible landscaping and natural gardens. Powered by 108 rooftop solar panels plus a solar powered hot water system.
Looking for a "green hotel" while visiting the Live Music Capital?
Reserve a stay at the Habitat Suites in Austin.

Buffalo Injures Man at Yellowstone

 
Even with the warning signs, tourists still get injured and sometimes killed every year from getting too close to wild animals in National Parks. The most recent case happened over the weekend in Yellowstone National Park. A Massachusetts was thrown 10 feet in the air and then pinned to the ground, according to CBS News. The man was lucky that his injuries only included a broken shoulder blade, ribs, collarbone, and groin injury. According to the man the buffalo approached him as he was sitting and he didn't move away.

When we visited Yellowstone National Park, I witnessed several buffalo milling around near the park road. Don't let their docile appearance fool you, as they can sprint up to 30 mph, and are territorial. When visiting our National Parks, remember the park rules that require visitors to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards away from buffalo and other animals.

Essential Camping Checklist

In honor of National Camping Week this week (and I just came from a trip last week along the San Marcos River), here is a handy checklist to go by when planning your next great camping adventure. As a kid I remember when my Mom would plan a week ahead of time, and have our dining room table full of items to carry.

Essential Camping Checklist
This checklist will get you pointed in the right direction for your next camping trip. It is by no means complete (there is always something you forget).
Let us know what you would add in the comments below or on Facebook, and have fun camping!

Basic Food Items:
Bacon
Eggs
Grits (it's a Southern thing)
Crackers, Chips
Drinks
Hotdogs & Buns
Hamburgers & Buns
Canned Foods (vegetables, fruit, etc.)
Marshmallows
Coffee
Sugar
Creamer
Cooking Oil
Salt
Pepper
Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Mustard

Cooking Related Items:
Portable Stove
Stove Fuel – Propane, Other
Folding Stand for Stove (if no picnic tables)
Lighters
Skillet
Boiler
Spatula
Forks, Spoons, Knives
Paper Towels
Paper Plates & Holders
Skewer for cooking Marshmallows over fire (sticks will also do)
Firewood & fire starter (lint also works)
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Drinking Cups
Aluminum Foil
Zip lock Bags
Garbage Bags
Cooler
Coffeemaker
Dish Soap
Plastic Tub to wash any dishes in
Frozen Reusable Ice Packs
Ice (may want to get this on the way to your campground)

The Basic Items:
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Pillows
Hats
Clothes
Old Towels
Extra Canvas Bag for Dirty Clothes
Cots (if too hot to sleep on the ground)
Lantern & Charger or Fuel/Wick/Mantles
Flashlights & Extra Batteries

Fishing Items:
Fishing Rod & Reels
Fishing Tackle (with knife/clippers for line)
Fish Cutting Board
First Aid Kit
Filet Knife
Fishing Bait

Kayak/Boat Items:
Kayaks/Boats, Paddles, Life Preservers
Waterproof Cooler/Bag
Chain & Lock

Other Items:
Cheap Camera (that you won't miss if it gets wet)
Water Shoes
Folding Chairs
Playing Cards/Games
Sunglasses
Citronella Candles
Combo Sunblock/Insect Repellant (very important!)

Oh, and Don't Feed the Bears...

Let us know what you would add and have fun camping!

Austin to get 3 new hotels

  
Construction on the 1,000 room Fairmont Austin Hotel is slated to begin spring of 2013, while the 1,012 room J.W. Marriott Convention Center hotel construction will start this summer. Another hotel will be a part of the redevelopment of the Green Water Treatment Plant along Lady Bird Lake.

Airline offers luxury suite

Singapore Airlines is known for offering amenities for the privileged few. How about a private cabin with bed? No problem. The airfare is rather steep though. A roundtrip flight from New York to Singapore will set you back $15,750.

I can think of lots of better ways to spend that for a fun vacation. How about you?

Dallas TV returns to Southfork

With much anticipation, the new Dallas TV series premiers June 13th on TNT
The opening music will be similar, with an updated Dallas skyline that includes the impressive new Omni Hotel Convention Center.

The venerable Larry Hagman reprises his role as J.R. Ewing. We have made several travels over the years to the Dallas metro area to feature unique area hotels, b&bs and attractions. With the new series, it should generate renewed interest in Dallas and the Southfork Ranch attraction. My first trip to Southfork was the mid-point on a whirlwind road trip to California in 1988. The show was still rolling along, and I got a chance to walk through Larry Hagman's Winnebago. Now, almost 25 years later, Hagman in his own unique style is having a custom Airstream made for when he does choose to retire for good and enjoy the open road. Read about in a recent interview with Larry Hagman.

Southfork Ranch

We plan to make a return trip to the Dallas area and will provide updates soon.



View our video above and read our online feature on the historic Adolphus Hotel.
Book a stay now at the Adolphus.


Enjoy fine dining at the unparalleled French Room at the Adolphus.

Site Redesign

Over the years we have focused on providing unique content on stays and attractions that we visit firsthand. In the coming months, look for our new site design as we make major updates.
One new area you may have noticed is our new commenting via our blog and being added to our feature pages. Provided by Disqus, we were impressed with what they had to offer (it helps when you get major venture capital funding as well).
Have ideas? Let us know!