Just north of Dallas/Ft. Worth by about 35 miles is the North Texas town of Denton.  This town has the feel of a small charming community but with big city amenities.  Denton began with Denton County being established in 1846 just before Texas decided to join the United States.  In the decades to follow Denton was pretty much on the north eastern frontier with vast Indian lands outstretched in the distance.

Attractions/Activities:

Today, Denton combines the old with the new in terms of attractions and lifestyle.  A town’s courthouse is a good place to start.  Check out Denton’s Courthouse on the Square Museum to learn about the beginnings of this Texas town.  Denton’s Main Street is full of history with old antique shops, restaurants, live music and horse-drawn carriages to casually take you through Denton’s core.

Denton is home to UNT (University of North Texas) and the awe-inspiring  Sky Theater.  Take a seat in the 100 person auditorium with a 40 ft. domed roof and watch the night sky come to life during the day.  The Sky Theater is perfect for kids of all ages both young and old.  See shows such as “Dawn of the Space Age”, “Solar System Tour” and ”Trip to the Moon”.  I know that when I was a kid my summers were filled with these kinds of activities.

The Trinity River runs through the whole state of Texas  and creates a border for Denton County.  This river provides recreation for the locals and tourists during those warm Texas summers.  Rent a kayak and float down the river to experience the North Texas countryside.

With Dallas/Ft. Worth nearby, the Texas Motor Speedway is always a destination for locals and tourists alike.  Races, car shows and car club events all take place here and pretty much every day.

Dining/Lodging:

When thinking of Texas, barbeque usually comes to mind but in Denton that’s not the case.  Enjoy some eclectic cuisine right off the square of downtown Denton.  From Thai Curry Mussels to Rosemary Smoked Duck, Hannah’s really gives the hungry soul something to chew on culturally.

Texas dining is just not the same without Tex Mex and Denton pulls through with just that…  El Matador brings Mexico right to your plate with saucy Enchiladas and delicious Chile Rellenos not to mention the frozen Margaritas and Dacquiris.

After dining out in Denton, one will need a place to lay their head.  Being that the town has history of the wild Texas frontier, lodging can be found that’s not primitive nor rustic by any means.  A Denton bed and breakfast might just be right up your alley offering high-end fare equalled with cozy accommodations. 

Whatever your expectation of North Texas might be, keep an open mind when visiting the little town of Denton and be ready to experience life inside as well as outside Texas borders.

Denton TX Courthouse by glennharper

Trinity River by gurdonark

Hey, Thanks for stopping by! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

My first trip to Sedona was in spring of 1996.  It just so happened to be when the “Hale-Bop” comet was in view for almost an eternity that year.  I was there on a mountain biking trip with some friends from Georgia and what an awesome first impression I recieved that week.  Imagine riding the local trails all day only to come back to our vacation rental in Oak Creek Canyon, relax in the hot tub, imbibe in some libations and watch ”Hale-Bop” come to life in the evening sky.   That memory is very, very vivid in my mind and I am grateful for it!

In recent years past I have spent some time living in Scottsdale, Arizona so I could drive a short distance (an hour maybe) north to Sedona and hang-out there for the weekend hiking, biking, exploring the local vortexes and enjoying great Southwestern cuisine.  Even though Scottsdale, therefore Phoenix, get pretty warm (120 degrees) during the summer, the temperature up in Sedona would be quite reasonable.  The buttes, mesas and spires seem to keep a nice breeze rushing through Sedona’s network of mazes.

Taking a tour of the local vortexes is a must in my opinion.  There are four vortexes strewn in and around Sedona proper.  They are energy fields that shoot up out of the earth’s core and some believe they hold positive vibes that create balance in one’s life.  You can easily take yourself on a tour of these mysterious vortexes by getting a free local map.  This vortex map is the same one I used over 10 years ago!  Notice these locals (in the photo above) probably doing some kind of “stick fighting-martial arts” exercise at a vortex.  I saw them while on a bike ride one afternoon so I had to take a picture.  Whether you believe in these energy fields or not doesn’t matter because the hiking you do to get to them is more than half the fun.

Mountain biking in Sedona is fun and quite technical depending on the trail you’re on.  If you have ever ridden the slick-rock trails in Moab, Utah then you will need some of those riding tricks if you choose to do some of the more difficult trails in Sedona.  There are several bike shops in town that will help you with information, bike rentals and gear.  Check it out — that’s me 13 years ago riding one of the local trails and the shape I used to be in…

Make sure you go to Tlaquepaque, Sedona’s arts and craft community with shops featuring local talent and restaurants serving great Southwest cuisine (even rattlesnake! - been there, done that) and to me it did taste like chicken!  Give it a try sometime.  This picture on the right is one that I took of some pretty interesting art/nature expression while on a bike ride as well.  Please enjoy!

If you ever get a chance to go to the Southwest try to make tracks over to the canyon country of Sedona.  This Red Rock Country really does come to life right before your very own eyes.

All of the photos were provided by the author ~ Matt Smith

Going to the beach for a family vacation just seems to be much more effortless than say going to New York perhaps…  While the kids are playing in the sand and burying dad on the beach mom can go shopping, hit the salon or day spa, check out the local art galleries or go catch a movie in the laid back town of Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Of course mom could be getting buried right next to dad if we were talking about my family J.

If everybody is getting tired of the salty Gulf, there’s Waterville USA to visit.  This park has amusement rides as well as water slides, a wave pool and the new Flowrider which is a wave pool where one can surf the “endless” wave.  The park has two seasons of which either both the water park and the amusement park are open (summer) or only the amusement park is open (spring and fall time).  Waterville USA is great way to spend a day individually or with a large group.   

Another fun way to spend a day “away” from the beach is to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.  Located just blocks away from the Gulf and home to almost 300 animals, the zoo is a place to visit for all ages.  Check the website frequently for upcoming events and activities.  The zoo offers a “Zoo Camp” where kids from 3 to 11 get to spend a full day learning about the zoo and what it takes to keep the doors open to the public. 

If you are thinking of going to the zoo then you might as well head on over to Alligator Alley in Summerdale, Alabama which is only 30 minutes away from Gulf Shores.  This gator farm is home to “Captain Crunch” who is over 13 feet long, weighs over 800 pounds and holds the record for the world’s strongest bite.  Now that must something to see…  Other marsh and estuary wild life can be observed like owls and turtles while you are keeping your eyes peeled for the alligator(s).

Doing all of these fun activities will make the vacationing family sleep well at night.  Gulf Shores, Alabama really does accommodate and cater to the needs of families who choose to spend quality time and an adventurous time on their vacation.  Looking for a Gulf vacation destination that brings young and old together?  Give Gulf Shores, Alabama a try on your next trip down South.

Gulf Shores Sunset by beggs 

Riding the Waves by nola.agent

2 month old Bengal cub by The Pug Father

Located 95 miles south of Los Angeles and 25 miles north of San Diego is Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.  This beach community was named back in 1911 by a developer and remains a community which prides in its’ “walkability” factor of everything you would need being walking distance from each other via the beach.  Nestled amongst the community is the San Elijo Lagoon which is one of San Diego’s largest coastal wetlands still to exist.

Over 90% of California’s wetlands have vanished and are gone forever due to ever increasing development.  The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is working hard to involve the local community in its’ ecological efforts of protecting the diminishing wildlife and their habitat.  The lagoon consists of over 1,000 acres, 7.5 miles of trails and 700 various species of animals and plants.  One can enjoy free guided nature walks, take part in a volunteer work party or participate in a bird count exercise. 

When you are done checking out the San Elijo Lagoon, the waves of the Pacific Ocean are crashing nearby and begging you to visit.  Cardiff-by-the-Sea enjoys 2.6 miles of pristine ocean beach with shops, restaurants and lodging all within walking distance.  One can find a Southern California Bed & Breakfast that is local and quaint just by walking down the beach.  Cardiff Reef has some of the best breaks around if you are into surfing.  From amateurs to professionals, Cardiff Reef attracts surfers from all over Southern California. 

Whether you are into being low-key on your vacation to Cardiff or you need to change it up sometimes with San Diego nearby, Cardiff-by-the-Sea will at least provide a moderate climate with breathtaking views.

Sunset at Cardiff State Beach by Mr Phil Price

Cardiff By The Sea, California by Bengt E Nyman

San Elijo Lagoon by kevincole

What better way to see the beautiful island of Kauai than by air, sea and land.  I imagine that they are all spectacular in their own way.  Helicopter and airplane tours, sea kayaking and boat tours and biking Kauai are just some of the ways to see this amazing island. 

Taking a helicopter or airplane ride can let you experience the beauty of Kauai without lifting a finger or making a step in the rugged terrain.  Air Kauai Helicopter Tours flies over 10 hot spots on their daily tours.  They offer a deluxe 1-Hour Tour that takes you all over the island highlighting the Waimea Canyon which is known as the “Grand Canyon” of the Pacific and Mt. Wai’ ale’ ale Crater which is actually the wettest place on Earth averaging 420 inches a year!  The famed NaPali Coast and the Jurassic Park Falls are also part of the tour.

Seeing Kauai from a boat or kayak is also a wonderful way to see the hugeness of Kauai’s coastline.  Kauai Sea Tours offers catamaran as well as zodiac boat tours.  The guides are educated on the local wildlife, marine life, conservation and history so that you get a full view of Kauai’s environment and existence.  One can go snorkeling, whale watching and enjoy sunset cruises along the NaPali coast with Kauai Sea Tours.

Discovering Kauai on a bike allows one to be up close and personal with the island and its’ environment.  You can pretty much ride on flat roads around the island or choose to mountain bike easy, moderate or steep terrain.  Coconut Coasters is a bike rental company that specializes in biking from Baby Beach to Kealia Beach on what is known as the Coconut Coast.  You can rent a classic cruiser with tandem bike attachments or kid carriers so that the whole family can enjoy the ride.

All of these activities can be done while staying at a number of places on the island.  Whether it’s a luxury vacation rental on the Poipu coast that you are seeking or a rustic inland villa off the beaten path Kauai enjoys less people and more of Mother Nature.

So, the next time you are planning to go to the Hawaiian Islands, try to make time to get to Kauai where the Grand Canyon meets the Pacific.