Baldwin Photography: Houston Area

I've been so blessed this Spring/early Summer with a busy business that I got behind on capturing those milestones with my own children!! So, these are a month late - but better late, then never, right? My sweet, goofy and somewhat crazy Georgia Ann turned THREE in early May. I no longer have any babies in the house. Bittersweet, if you ask me. No more diapers, no more bottles, and pretty soon no more rocking and sweet, sweet cuddles. (Don't tell Chad - but Georgia Ann will still let me rock her before bedtime every now and then. I'll probably become that creepy/crazy mom from "Love you forever" book). It's funny - with the first kid, you kinda rush them through all the milestones, like it is a race - calling all your friends to brag when she walks early or learns to get dressed all by herself. But, with the second, it's almost like I'm begging time to stop, or at the very least slow down. That feeling of proudness I once felt when Sara turned from 'baby' to 'big girl' has now has a dash (or a huge helping) of sadness mixed in when Georgia yells at me, "No mama, I do it by myself."

Baby girl, just remember, you'll never be too old for mama to 'rock baby' or let you 'hold me' when you've had a rough day (what she says when she wants to be picked up). No matter how big you get, you'll always be my baby, Georgia Ann.

Woo-hoo!! Summer is HERE!! If you've followed the blog for a while, you know that this is my absolute favorite season. I love the lounging around in the hot sun, jumping into a cool, refreshing pool, eating more than my fill of snow-cones and popsicles (though this year, I'm going to try my hand at a few of these 'adult only' poptails!!), and just being with family. My girls are pretty stoked about it as well...

Well - the weekend got away from me. Somewhere between the long road-trip home with two very tired little girls, tackling the mounds of laundry that seem to appear after a week-long vacation, and just getting back into the swing of things, it was back to the "real world" in a blink of an eye. So, my apologies for making you wait an extra day or so for TOP TEN FAMILY VACATION SPOTS in TEXAS. And, onto number 6...

6. New Braunfels

This German town is the perfect get-away when you just want to escape with the family over a holiday weekend. We go up there at least once every summer, if not more. And, I have memories of camping on the river with my Dad growing up - so it's a tradition I love passing along to my two little girls. New Braunfels is surrounded by two cold-spring fed rivers: the Guadalupe and the Comal rivers - and many of it's great attractions feature at least one of the rivers. Many families float the Comal which is a short float on mild rapids punctuated by a few water "shoots". It's a very nice, relaxing time, but probably more appropriate for families with kids 9 years old or older.
The most well-known attraction is Schlitterbahn - and while, we have a version here in Galveston, it is nothing compared to the original in New Braunfels. And, it's a great place to have fun, no matter what your age! Half the rides in the park (called Schlitterbahn West) are actually fed by water taken directly from the Guadalupe. It is one of the biggest water parks in the US and is consistently ranked the Best Water-Park in America.
Another great county park (one of my girls' favorites) is Landa Park. They have boat rides, train rides, Frisbee golf - and a river-fed splash area + wadding pool for the kiddos to play around in. It's also a perfect location to view fireworks from on the 4th of July (a new family tradition - now going on three years). If you're looking to stay dry for a day, two excellent places to visit are the Natural Bridge Caverns and the New Braunfels Children's Museum. The caverns offer two tours - the original, which is suitable for walking toddlers and pre-schoolers, and the new illuminations tour - more suitable to older children who can climb steep stairs and are not affraid of the dark. After seeing the cool stalagmites and stalactites, the kids can then "pan" for gems, fossils and arrowheads outside. We just did this with the girls over Memorial Day Weekend - and they just loved it. They are still talking about it! Finally, the New Braunsfels Children's Museum is a quaint play-based museum very similar to the Houston Children's Museum. Its a great place to let the little ones burn some energy while you enjoy the cold A/C.


7.  Corpus Christi - the Sparkling City by the Sea

Corpus Christi is a nicer alternative to Galveston for a seaside family vacation. The city itself is actually on the bay, as opposed to the barrier island, Mustang Island. Thus, the gulf-side beaches are undeveloped and more pristine than those in Galveston. When down there, we like to stop by the Mustang Island State Park to stroll the beaches looking for shells and play in amongst the gorgeous sand dunes. Other nice attractions within the Corpus Christi city-limits, include the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium. The USS Lexington is a air-craft carrier that saw extensive service in the Pacific during WWII. You can tour almost the entire ship, including the flight deck which holds several various planes for the kids to be inspired by. Texas State Aquarium is located within walking distance from the USS Lexington. Inside you'll find dolphins, sea otters and various other sea-animals that are fun to see and experience. For a fun afternoon or evening outing, take in a Hook's baseball game at Whataburger field (Corpus Christi is home to the original Whataburger!). They are a minor-league team - and the field is located right on the channel next to the bridge which provides for some very scenic views. Finally, when we're visiting, we always make a point to splurge on one fancy dinner at the Water Street Oyster Bar, home of the best seafood around.

8. Wimberly

Wimberly is quaint little tourist town between Austin and San Antonio that sits along the crystal-clear Blanco River. To kick-off the summer, we rent a house right on the river and hang out with Granny, Auntie and all her crazy friends (think ya-ya sisters). The girls love the attention they are smothered in while Chad and I enjoy the relaxing on the river (you can just sit your lawn chair right in the river!) and maybe even sneaking away for a date-night. There is also a swimming hole nearby called "the Blue Hole", and I think there might even be fishing. Our two favorite spots to visit while in town are the Salt-Lick and Driftwood Vineyards. The Salt-Lick is my absolute favorite BBQ restaurant to visit. It is a family-style restaurant that serves all you can eat brisket, ribs, sausage and smoked turkey - and a big side of fresh homemade bread with the MOST delicious BBQ sauce I've ever had. It is BYOB and a long wait is guaranteed on the weekends.  Though, the atmosphere is gorgeous and there is usually a small band playing live music so between the music and our cooler of beer and wine, the wait is just fine. The winery is a nice little place we discovered three years ago and sits atop a hill overlooking vineyards in the valley below. They have wine tastings and you can also purchase bottles with cheese and crackers to enjoy while you soak in the scenery. It is really a piece of heaven right there in the Hill Country.

9. Inks Lake State Park
I remember visiting this beauty during my summer geology field class in college. We got to see some many cool things while learning about the geological history of Texas. It was such a wonderful class that, if it wasn't my last semester of college, I may have actually switched majors to Geology based strictly on that class! And, during that class, I distinctly remember being so impressed with the beauty that Inks Lake had to offer. It is located in Burnett County - right on the Colorado River and next to Inks Lake. You can canoe (yourself or guided) and paddle through gorgeous granite gneiss exposed from the Llano Uplift. There is also fishing, swimming and camping. But, be sure to make your reservations early as this park is almost always near capacity.
Another great thing about Inks Lake State Park is that it is very near my favorite cavern in Texas, Longhorn Caverns. While it is certainly not the prettiest cavern in Texas (that belongs to the Caverns of Sonora), I think I love Longhorn Caverns because of its history. Before it became a State Park it was used by Indians, Confederate Soldiers and outlaws. And, during the prohibition, it was a speak-easy! Now you can tour the grand caverns, enjoy the lovely grounds, or even rent out one of the caves for weddings and birthday parties. On some nights they also offer concerts right inside the cave!

10. Davis Mountain State Park
We first visited this park on a leisurely road-trip out west - and used it as a spring-board to explore the surrounding area. The park, itself, is nestled amongst the scenic Davis Mountains. The park is a good place for hiking and also features a historic Indian Lodge, constructed in the 1930s and still has the original furnishings! A short drive from the park will take you to McDonald Observatory, operated by the University of Texas. Here you can see really BIG telescopes, including the 5th largest in the world, and even take a peak at the sun! They also have tours during the day and star parties at night. Really lots of fun if you are a nerd like me :) If you travel a short way out of the mountains to the flatland below, you'll come upon Balmorhea State Park - home to one of the largest spring fed pools in the country. The pool is fed by the San Solomon Springs which gush out up to 28 million gallons of water a day. It's beautiful, crystal clear water that is the perfect temperature to refresh yourself on a hot Texas day.

And, there you go! My top ten favorite places for family vacations in Texas. It was really really hard for me to narrow it down to ten - which is part of the reason it took me so long to put this together. There are many honorable mentions and maybe some day I can do another post on more great Texas getaways. But for now, I'll leave you with a few links so you can persue potential places yourself:

Texas State Parks Directory - full listing and description of each State Park within Texas - and there are many!

Texas State Travel Guide - a city by city, divided by region (Texas has seven, you know), guide of things to see and do in the great state of Texas.

Finally, if you have any questions or would like some personal recommendations, just shoot me an email. Or, let me know and I can bring you a personal copy of the Texas State Travel Guide at our next session! We always grab plenty of copies to share when we visit the Texas Visitor's Center down in the Valley :)

Summer is here! It's my favorite season - despite the Houston heat, mosquitoes and all the other things that people hate about those dog days. I love the long days, the muggy nights, popsicles, swimming pools and playing in the sprinklers with my girls. Most of all - I love all the mini-summer-vacations we take as a family. For example, right this second, I'm sitting on the balcony of a cabin we rent every year - over looking the beautiful Frio River. It really can't get any better than this :)

Through my business, I've been blessed with meeting several new Houston families - many of whom are not originally from Texas. And, while my heart will always belong to Houston, it really isn't a great representation of the many great things this beautiful state has to offer....which brings me to reason for this post. I've decided to share with you my personal TOP TEN FAMILY VACATION SPOTS in TEXAS. So, onto the list...

1. San Antonio - home of the Alamo.

I have to be completely honest. San Antonio holds a special place in my heart, as this is where my husband and I were married most than six years ago. But, it really is a great place to visit. Not only is it a mere 3-4 hour drive from Houston, it offers so much for a family to do. San Antonio is the most visited city in Texas and is really geared for the vacationing family. From the Alamo and lesser known missions (we were married at San Jose), to dining and shopping on the Riverwalk, getting up close and personal with the dolphins at Sea World or enjoying the rides at Fiesta Texas - there really is something for everyone. One of our favorite things to do during the summer is to check out the free music series offered at the County Line. Not only is it great food - but the girls love dancing to the country music under the big trees. Lots of fun.

2. South Padre and the Valley

My husband's family have a winter home in the Valley. We take a few trips down there over the course of the year - and summer is my favorite time. The beach is just gorgeous, one of the best in Texas. And the folks are so friendly. The girls love the long drive down Hwy-100 going through Los Fresnos. There is a crazy tourist trap, called BobzWorld. You just have to stop to see all the crazy things, including a life-sized dinosaur made of plaster! Right before you cross over to the actual island, make sure to also stop at Port Isabel. Tours take you to the top and she is a pretty lighthouse. On the island, there is a turtle nesting area, normal beach activities and also chartered fishing, which is always fun. Isla Blanca Park is our favorite beach location. It's very pretty and perfect for families.
Oh - and I almost forgot about Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. Its just a short drive from the island and is one of the nicest zoos in Texas. If you travel here in the summer, just try to hit up the zoo in the morning because that's when the animals are awake and out. It's just too hot for them in the afternoons.

3. Big Bend National Park


While it is quite the drive to get out there (~ 10 hours), it is most definitely worth it. Big Bend is the nation's best kept secret - as it is the least visited national park. But, in my opinion, all of those people are missing out. The place is huge and there is so much to see and do. The national park sits on an unique spot where three  ecosystems come together - desert, mountain and river. Wildlife include bobcats, javalinas (a weird west-texas version of a pig), black bears, road-runners, and lots and lots of deer. There is also a wide variety of guided backpacking or river trips you can take. I've never tried one but I have my heart set on the wine-tasting river trip that takes you through two canyons and several other beautiful areas.
We've been out to Big Bend National Park twice and have yet to see everything. When you go, I suggest you start looking at postcard images, picking up a trail guide or two, and then asking the rangers where to find the specific locations you are looking for. Many of them include a long drive on a dirt road, followed by a mile or so hike to see what you want - but it is well worth it. To see some of the gorgeous views, go here.
The best time to visit, in my opinion is late Spring (April) or early Fall (late Sept/early Oct) and you'll get to see the desert flowers in bloom. Just gorgeous.
 If you're not into camping, the best place to stay during your visit is Lajitas. It is a private first class resort - and they treat you like celebrities. You're greeted with cold beer, nice rooms - and after a long day of hiking, you can schedule a massage at their on-site spa. Golfers also love the place, as this is the one and only international golf course in the U.S. It really is a nice get-away.
Other places to visit while you're out there are the Big Bend State Park - rumored to be even more spectacular than the national park and River Road, known as the most scenic drive in Texas. It parallels the Rio Grande as takes a winding path through the desert mountains of West Texas and Northern Mexico.

4. Garner State Park

We've been visiting this little gem since I was in high school. And, that's where we are today! Every year, in the middle of June, my entire family (grandparents on both sides included!) pack up for a week on the river. Our days go a bit like this. We sleep in, then enjoy a tasty breakfast on the porch of our cabin overlooking the scenic Frio River. There is always a breeze and zero mosquitoes (which is a nice break from Houston). Chad usually takes the girls fishing on the banks and then we might play a hand or two of cards, or a round of dominoes- my families' favorite game is 42, if you've heard of it. And, after lunch, we all head down to the river where we sit in floats, drink beer and watch the children splash around on the rocks or dive into the deeper areas. The constant cool flow of the Frio keeps you comfortable as you soak up those Texas rays. After we've had enough of that, we'll load up and head into the State Park for their nightly dance. It really is the best way to spend the summer with family. If you can't get a reservation for the State Park (they usually book up to a year in advanced), there are lots and lots of nice cabins right outside the park and sitting on the river. We prefer to stay at Happy Hollow - as it is the perfect spot on the river with big boulders to perch atop of when the water is too cold or deep swimming holes when you just need to dive completely in. Even this year, despite the drought, there is still is plenty of water to keep you cool.

5. Fredericksburg Wine Country

 OK. So, I had to sneak one place in that isn't so much "family" friendly -but still a great little get-away for parents. When we've just had enough and need to escape "city" life and screaming kids, we set the girls up for a "granny weekend" (thankfully we are blessed to have family in town!) and head out to the Fredericksburg Wine Country. We usually rent a little B&B - but these aren't your traditional B&Bs. We try to pick on that is more of a bungalow style where we don't have to share the house with others. Instead, we have a nice little cottage to ourselves that overlooks the beautiful hill country and then they supply vouchers for breakfast or lunch in town. Fredericksburg is the heart of the the Texas Wine Country and there are maybe 9-10 wineries in the area. It's always a great time take the drive down 290 and stopping at each winery to do some wine tasting and relaxing. My favorite winery is Fredericksburg Winery (I LOVE their Christmas Spiced Wine) and Chad's favorite is Becker Vineyareds. Fredericksburg is also a shopper's haven, if you're into that. And, after a few glasses of wine, who isn't? :) Usually, we also try to reserve some time to take the short drive to the famous little town of Luckenbach, Texas. Its really nothing more than a ice-house, a dance hall and a few chickens. They usually have someone strumming the guitar out under the shade tree so its always a nice time.
For dinner, we hit up the Cabernet Grill  for some scrumptious hill country cuisine. Finally, if we're not too hung over the next day, we'll stop by Enchanted Rock and try to hike our way to the top. It is the largest 
pink granite pluton rock formation in the United States.

...well, the river is calling my name so that's the end of part I. Look for Part II to be posted sometime this week! Take care!