Need Ideas - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Shannon · 07-22-2009, 12:30 AM

Justin and I are seeking cost-conscious family vacation ideas for us (2 adults) plus kidlet (Sara's under 2.5 years old at present.) It will be a road trip, so we'd prefer to stick to Texas and bordering states. The vacation time looks like it'll be in October. Ideas, suggestions welcome. We're open to renting a trailer like we did back in '01 for our 10(?) day trip to Big Bend NP and environs. You know our interests cover the gamut: birding, photography, road and mountain biking, wildlife observation, natural history, geocaching, etc.

We're pros at planning pre-kidlet long trips but now with Sara still under 3 years of age we don't want to overload her/burn her out -- we want her to enjoy travel and such for her entire lifetime, or at least provide the foundation and opportunities for that to develop as she does. She's definitely an "outdoor girl" right now, at least. Not worried about how to keep her busy, but also want to keep her in mind in our plans obviously. For example, I'd LOVE to return to Estes Park, CO and spent 10 days or so hiking and backpacking the Rocky Mountain National Park, but that just wouldn't be fair to Sara...and I can't bring myself to have to go take her to the putt-putt golf there because she's rightfully tired of hiking halfway through day #1. ;-)

I'm thinking that several shorter destination type trips over the course of the 2 weeks Justin will have off from work is the best option, so if you have any MUST SEE's, share 'em. I am all ears!

(Funny that I need travel ideas when I've run @wildtexas for over 10 yr. Fact is folks here on WildTexas.com travel far more than I do in recent years. We're working on changing that statistic. ;-))

Troop198 · 07-22-2009, 06:40 PM

Shannon,

You know with all the trip reports available on this forum, you really don't need us . However, October is a great month for a large portion of this state, heck even Houston (no offense to Houston folks, we lived there nine years)
and North Texas have vacation weather that time of year.

Consider east (think piney woods, (Dangerfield cabins if you don't want the rent/tent thing ) and hit some historic spots on the way (Think a ride on a stage coach (see Fanthrop review)) or North Texas (State Fair is October what a blast for kids that is) and all the great parks this way (Copper Lake cabins just had a nice write up in the Dallas Morning news Sunday) and you can hit some nice places between here and there coming up Hwy 281 including dino valley. (no cabins there) All of these have some play things and sites to see, take pictures from the internet and do a scavenger hunt for sites is fun for kids while going and camping

need more???

Shannon · 07-22-2009, 10:18 PM

More is welcome. The trouble is anywhere near us is too darn hot. Here in San Antonio, today, we tied the record high temperature (set back in 2006) of 102°, and today is Day #30 of our days with temperatures 100° or higher this year.

That's kinda why we're keeping neighboring states and cooler Colorado as options even though the drive-time will eat into our vacation time.

(And if it sounds weird to be concerned that October will still be overly hot here in South Texas, suffice it to say I remember some Halloween's where the *last* thing anyone wanted to do was don a costume... we could still be in the 90's at this rate.)

Troop198 · 07-23-2009, 06:03 PM

October should be good for East or North Texas so don't eliminate them, but Carlsbad Caverns via Amarillo then back down to Ft. Davis, via Balmorea is a nice loop with lots of side stops along the way. Campermom has some nice pics and I posted a trip report to Palo Duro (that hike might be too long for kidlet) but the museum is great. Will keep thinking

ploddinTod · 07-23-2009, 07:07 PM

We should be getting cool fronts that make it this far south by mid to late September. I'd go to Lost Maples mid-week to see the fall colors and the Hill Country scenery.

MonkeyMamma · 07-23-2009, 08:50 PM

What about still going to Colorado just limiting the hiking?

We took our now dd13 when she was 16 months and she LOVED it. We did more car sight seeing and did short hikes. She just loved the chipmunks and cool weather.

What about the hill country? Ozarks? Both will be gorgeous that time of year.

I guess my suggestion is not to abandon the hiking just keep it simple. My kids are now 13 and 6, both girls, and they grew up camping and hiking and love the outdoors I think because we didn't overdo it. Know her limits and stick to it but don't say no to a place just because you can't go all out.

Whatever you decide you'll be making memories. Have fun!

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