Spring is in the air – trees are showing the first signs of green leaves, flowers are starting to bloom, and the days are getting longer. Perfect time for baseball! Although Texas is predominantly a football state, we do love our baseball too. It doesn’t matter where you’re at in the Lone Star State; you’re within easy driving range of a baseball game.

Texas boasts Major League, Minor League, and Independent professional baseball teams, not to mention the collegiate and even high school level teams that are well worth watching. So if you’re thinking of taking in a game, here is a listing of the professional baseball teams in Texas.

Major League:

• Houston Astros
• Texas Rangers

Pacific Coast League, Minor League Baseball

• Round Rock Express

Texas League, Minor League Baseball

• Corpus Christi Hooks
• Frisco RoughRiders
• San Antonio Missions
• Midland RockHounds

American Association, Independent League Baseball

• El Paso Diablos
• Fort Worth Cats

United League Baseball, Independent League Baseball

• Amarillo Dillas
• Edinburg Coyotes
• Rio Grande Valley White Wings
• San Angelo Colts
• Laredo Broncos

Personally, my family and I prefer to go to the Independent League games. Lower ticket prices, stellar baseball players, and the opportunity for everyone to visit with players before the game just make this a family-friendly choice. We’ve spent most of our time watching the San Angelo Colts play at Foster Field (yes, we’ve logged hundreds of games over the past 6-7 years.

Here are some insider tips for the Colts:

· Even though it’s normally better to buy tickets on the 1^st base side, you’ll want to get tickets on the 3^rd base side at Foster Field. The sun sets directly behind the 3^rd base side, putting it in your eyes for the first few hours of the game on the 1^st base side – very hot!

· Try and plan your outing for a giveaway or special event night. I highly recommend the fireworks nights as they put on about a 20-30 minute show that is just beautiful.

· You can get excellent seats, almost directly behind home plate, for about $12. Kids 2 and under get in free.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the baseball rundown for Texas. As you can see there is a variety of options for even the most die-hard baseball fan!

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

Some other great blogs to visit for more information on Texas baseball are:

1. The College Baseball Blog for a wealth of information on Texas College Teams
2. Minor League Baseball Blog contains everything you’d ever want to know about MiLB in Texas
3. Major League Baseball Blog will ensure you’re always in the know for what is happening in MLB in Texas

Brenham is a little town (pop. 13,507) about halfway between Houston and Austin on US 290 and Texas 36. And while it may be small, Brenham offers a gigantic treat for your taste buds. Brenham is home to a Texas favorite – Blue Bell Creameries. If you’ve never had Blue Bell ice cream, boy are you are missing out!
You can take a tour of the Creamery or visit the Blue Bell Country Store. Although Blue Bell is only available in about 20% of the nation’s supermarkets, it ranks as one of the top three best selling ice creams in the country. One taste and you will understand why (and probably start demanding that your area carry it if they don’t already!

Of course while you’re in town you will want to check out the Blue Bell Aquatic Center and burn off some of that ice cream, which features a large outdoor recreation pool with an area for babies, an Olympic-sized indoor pool, and an indoor therapy pool. Other area attractions include the Brenham Heritage Museum, Monastery of St. Clare Miniature Horse Farm, and the Nueces Canyon Equestrian Center and Resort not to mention the area wineries.

Have a story to share or a favorite Blue Bell flavor? Let me know!

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

For some excellent additional information on Brenham, see these blogs:

1. Cream of the Crop – Destination: Brenham by Elaine Robbins
2. iPhone Road Trip To Brenham – Katie’s iPhone experience in Brenham
3. Where Texas Was Born by Larry D. Hodge

The Davis Mountains are a range of mountains in West Texas, located near Fort Davis, after which they are named. I highly recommend staying at the historic Indian Lodge. Indian Lodge is a unique inn located in Jeff Davis County northwest of Fort Davis within the bounds of Davis Mountains State Park. Built in the 1930s, it was opened to the public in 1939. The Indian Lodge resembles a Southwestern Native-American-style, multilevel pueblo village and boasts eighteen-inch adobe walls, hand-carved cedar furniture, and ceilings of pine viga and latilla.

There is so much to do in this area that you will be entertained for days (and nights!) including:

· Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens which offers a Kid’s Corner program, a Chihuahuan Desert Mining Heritage Exhibit, and a variety of other activities

· Fort Davis National Historic Site which is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars’ frontier military post in the Southwest.

· McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas. It is open to the public daily from 10-5:30pm. Enjoy solar viewings or attend the Star Parties which take place every Tuesday, Friday & Saturday evenings.

· Davis Mountain State Park where the attractions include scenic drives, two scenic overlooks, and 4 miles of hiking trails

· Historic Prude Ranch has combined the best of the modern world with old west wilderness to create a fun packed western vacation for children or the entire family.

· The 72-mile scenic loop drive through the Davis Mountains,

· The Marfa Mystery Lights where, if you are lucky, you will get a glimpse of these mysterious lights that have been reported for hundred of years from the Marfa Lights Viewing Area.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Davis Mountains as much as my family and I did. Do you have a favorite spot in the area? Please feel free to let me know . . . as I’m known for saying, I’m always looking for my next great vacation!

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

Some other great blogs to visit for more information on the Davis Mountains are:

1. The Davis Mountains of Texas by Paul Van Tine
2. The Marfa Mystery Lights with pictures by J. Bunnell
3. The Historic Prude Ranch by Professional Travel Guide

Are you in the mood for a little peek into some of China’s major historic scenes but not in a position to actually visit China? Well you don’t have to look any further than the Forbidden Gardens in Katy, Texas (right outside of Houston).

This is an outdoor museum you don’t want to miss with guided tours where you can view intricately detailed miniatures of the famous Forbidden City in Beijing which boasts nearly 500 years of Imperial rule. Another must-see is the first Emperor’s 6,000 piece terra-cotta army replicated in 1/3 scale. The mystery of China in the third century BC unfolds before you in this magical museum.

When you are ready to relax and marvel at all you have seen then it’s time to visit the Calming of the Heart Lodge (or the Summer Palace) area of the museum. This black-roofed palace was a vacation getaway for those who lived and worked in the Forbidden City and was the ideal location for scholars and guests to rest, reflect, and get back to nature. Take a walk around the Lodge and I guarantee you will feel the relaxing sensation that it brought the Emperors and Empresses throughout the years. You might even begin to feel like an Emperor (or Empress, as the case may be) yourself!

This is an especially great trip for families with children 4-10 (old enough to understand the “you break it, you buy it” rule and still young enough to imagine walking and living in the miniature replica palace).

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

For some other reviews of the Forbidden Garden and Katy see these blogs:

1. Forbidden Gardens: A Chinatown Tiny Town by Wesley Treat
2. Things to do in Houston Chinatown by Chinatown Connection.Com
3. Only Katy: The Voice Of Katy Texas by OnlyKaty

With three locations in Texas, Schlitterbahn is definitely a “must visit” for you and your family, you and your significant other, you and your friends, or even by yourself! Whatever your group consists of these water parks will prove a fun time for all. Locations include New Braunfels, Galveston, and South Padre Island. I’ve been to all three parks and had a wonderful time in each but my personal favorite is New Braunfels. The main reason for this is that Galveston and Padre are both beach/ocean locations and offer their own variety of water fun. Put that aside and the fact is that I have never had anything less than a blast in New Braunfels and three generations of my family agree wholeheartedly!

The New Braunfels location boasts a family-friendly park that offers free parking, tubes, lifejackets, and also allows you to bring your own picnic. In addition, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels has over 3 miles of tubing adventures, 7 children’s water playgrounds, 17 water slides, the world’s first surfing machine, and 3 uphill water coasters spread over 65 acres of fun!

But that’s not all, for New Braunfels is an excellent vacation spot all on its own. There is easy access to both Austin and San Antonio for those of you more “city oriented” but I think you’ll find it hard to leave New Braunfels behind. In addition to Schlitterbahn you will find beautiful golf courses, easy access to the Natural Bridge Caverns and Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, horseback riding, amusement centers, vineyards, and so much more. The McKenna Children’s Museum is also a great place to see. But above all you should definitely consider doing some tubing down the Guadalupe River – you’ll be hooked!

I’ve been to New Braunfels with friends and in the past few years with family (toting a toddler) and we never grow tired of the place! If you have a favorite Schlitterbahn or New Braunfels story/place to share, please pass it along. I’ll be visiting there again early this summer!

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

Since March is National Women’s History Month, I thought I would throw a little trivia into this week’s travel blog. Today we’re going to talk about the cozy little ocean-front city of Corpus Christi, which gave birth to a woman whose invention is still in use today.

Anyone who has ever used a typewriter knows and loves this Texas lady’s brainstorm – Liquid Paper. I’m talking about Bette Nesmith Graham, (23 March 1924 - 12 May 1980) who was born Bette Clair McMurray in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1946 she found herself a divorced, single mother and to support herself she went to work as a bank secretary. Eventually she rose to the position of executive secretary, the highest position available to women in that industry at the time. In order to make extra money, Bette had a side job painting holiday windows. She combined these two talents to create her product, which she originally called “Mistake Out” in 1956 and created her own company. In 1979 she sold Liquid Paper to the Gillette Corporation for a whopping US $47.5 million. Sadly she died a year later at the young age of 56.

To celebrate this feisty Texas entrepreneur, why not take a trip to Corpus Christi? You can visit the Texas State Aquarium, transport yourself back in time on the USS LEXINGTON, or just relax and unwind in the Corpus Christi Bay area on the beach. While you’re there, take a moment to think about and thank Bette for her courage, foresight, and indomitable Texas spirit.

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

For more to do in Corpus Christi, see these blogs:

1. Corpus Christi Travel Guide by Virtual Tourist
2. The 10 Best Things To Do In Corpus Christi by 10 Best
3. Corpus Christi Vacation Deals by Trip Advisor

Every now and then women just need to get away from everything, and there is no finer medicine than a trip to South Padre Island. Even though this island is only a few miles wide, it is packed with beautiful beaches, every kind of water sport you can imagine, shopping, restaurants, and charters.

Before you go, it’s a good idea to do a bit of research. First of all you’ll need a place to stay! I recommend Suntide III Condominiums but for a full listing of what is available you can check Trip Advisor, just put in South Padre Island and you’ll have a multitude of choices.

What you do next depends on how you like to travel, whether you like to have everything planned and plotted out in advance or kind of just fly by the seat of your pants and leave it all to chance. Personally I do a bit of both, I do just enough research ahead of time to have an idea of what there is to do but I don’t set specific times or goals or plan an itinerary.

South Padre offers something for whatever mood you’re in, whether it’s lying on the beach sunning, sitting in the shade watching the ocean, learning to surf or snorkel, or chartering a boat for some deep sea fishing. That last one sounded kind of “manly”, didn’t it? You’d be surprised how much fun it is to go fishing – you never have any idea what you will catch. It could be a puffer fish, a shark, a swordfish, you just never know. And you haven’t lived until you’ve tried surfing! We used South Padre Surf Company and it was worth every penny – they are just great. However there are a ton of companies to choose from and you can find them as well as other activities and events at the South Padre Parade website.

I also recommend taking the time to read some warnings from those who have visited the area before; there are some very helpful tips at the Virtual Tourist site.

You really can’t go wrong by taking a trip to South Padre Island, even in the winter it is a beautiful area and the temperatures are mild enough to make it enjoyable. Do you have any tips or recommendations for someone wanting to visit South Padre?

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas

So what exactly do us Texans do to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Where do we go? If you’re a party animal and looking for an all-night celebration then I would suggest Dallas or Austin as my second and third picks. It would take me days to list all of the activities these two fine cities offer but I’ll offer you a small sampling. My top pick? Read on . . .

For Austin, think all day street festivals and hang at places such as the Fado Irish Pub on Fourth Street or B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub on 6^th Street. If Dallas is more your speed then plan on partying at Trinity Hall Irish Pub on Mockingbird Lane or the Greenville Avenue Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and after-party which drew more than 75,000 people last year.

But my top pick for the best St. Patrick’s Day fun would have to be the Panhandle town of Shamrock, Texas. I mean honestly, the name alone should tell you how much fun this is going to be! This year will the 62^nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and will boast everything from parades to a motorcycle rally to lawnmower races to a Donegal Beard Contest . . . need I go on? You won’t find a better place in Texas to “celebrate the green”!

What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day? It’s fast approaching . . .

Until next time . . .

Paige aka PJsTravelinTexas
For some other great thoughts on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Texas see these blogs:

1. Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Across the Lone Star State by Danno Wise
2. St. Patrick’s Day Planner by the CitySearch Staff in Austin
3. Houston St. Patrick’s Day Guide from the Houston Press