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See the Best of the Best in Texas – Professional Sports Teams

July 23, 2011 By
San Antonio Spurs logo

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One of the biggest thrills about visiting the great state of Texas is chance to see dozens of professional sports teams. Professional sports teams are the top of the line and the best of the best when it comes to a particular sport.

When visiting Texas you have the chance to see professional soccer, hockey, basketball, baseball and football teams. Here’s a look at what teams are playing in Texas and where you can see them play.

Professional Soccer

Soccer is making a comeback in the United States and Texas offers you the chance to see two of the best professional soccer teams. The Houston Dynamos and the FC Dallas, both divisions of Major League Soccer play out of the state of Texas.

Professional Baseball

When visiting Texas you have two chances to see a Major League Baseball team in action. The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros are based out of the state of Texas.

Professional Basketball

For basketball fans Texas offers you the chance to see three great teams, one of which is a multi-championship winner. The Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs have the home court advantage in various parts of Texas. The San Antonio Spurs are perhaps one of the most popular NBA teams in the history of basketball.

Professional Hockey

Hockey is often thought of as Canada’s favorite past time but the city of Dallas has its own National Hockey League team. The Dallas Stars play right in the heart of Dallas.

When visiting Texas, don’t miss out on seeing some of the best of the best in their chosen sport play.

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What Makes the State Fair of Texas so Big

July 12, 2011 By
Description: Big Tex, the mascot of the Texas ...

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If you’re looking for a prime example of the saying “everything is bigger in Texas” then look no further than the State Fair of Texas. The State Fair of Texas has been held annually in Dallas since 1886 and draws visitors from all over the world. Starting the last week of September and running for 24 days straight, the State Fair of Texas has hundreds of attractions, games and events that keep people coming back for more.

If you’re considering stopping by the State Fair of Texas, here’s a look at some things you can expect to experience on your visit.

Big Tex

Big Tex is the biggest attraction for the State Fair of Texas. Big Tex is a 52 ft. tall cowboy statue that is designed to look as if the cowboy is talking. All announcements, entertainment and other things related to the fair is broadcast through a megaphone that is in the cowboy’s jaw to make it appear as if he is talking to the crowds.

Unique Fair Food

Vendors from all over the state of Texas come to the state fair to show off their culinary skills. Everything from cheesecake, corndogs, fried food, ribs, and steaks are offered at the state fair.

The State Fair of Texas is also the home of where many new deep fried foods are introduced. Everything from Oreos to pork ribs are deep fried and offered to the crowds.

Besides Big Tex and the unique fair food, state fair attendees can expect to see great bands, enjoy fair rides and play carnival games.

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Cultural Events in Houston Texas

July 2, 2011 By

Texas has many great arts and culture venues for locals and visitors to experience. Whether you want to take in an opera, Broadway musical or ballet, you’ll be sure to find something to enjoy in Texas.

If you’re looking to enjoy the cultural side of Houston, Texas, here’s a look at some of the things you can experience and see.

The Houston Grand Opera

The Houston Grand Opera is based out of the city of Houston. It is known for its elaborate opera productions. Founded in 1955, the Houston Grand Opera is also famous for putting on many world and American premier opera shows.

The Houston Ballet

Texas is the home to one of the largest ballet companies in the United States. The Houston Ballet company is based out of the Wortham Theatre Center. It is the fourth largest ballet company and is known for putting on over 80 productions and performances every year. Occasionally the Houston Ballet will provide the dance and choreography segments for the Houston Grand Opera.

The Houston Symphony Orchestra

If you’re looking to enjoy classical, jazz or movie soundtracks than the Houston Symphony Orchestra will have a performance for you. Located in the heart of Houston and performing in the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, the Houston Symphony Orchestra puts on a half dozen productions for the public.

If you’re looking for a cultural event to enjoy while on vacation to Texas, then there is plenty to experience in this wonderful state. Everything from ballet, opera, music and Broadway musicals are available right at your fingertips.

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Presidential Libraries in Texas

June 8, 2011 By
George H.W. Bush Presidential Library - Colleg... 

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The presidential library system began in 1939.  So far, the United States has 13 such libraries.  Presidential libraries are the repository for photographs (official and familial), memorabilia, letters, speeches, and documents collected during the presidency.  That Texas is home to three presidential libraries is a huge windfall for the touring history buff.  Two are currently open for visitors.

Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Library and Museum

The LBJ library is located in Austin Texas.  LBJ began his presidency on the night President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The library covers the years 1961 through 1969.  Included in the collection are the photographs, speeches, journals and documents surrounding the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Vietnam War, and the War on Poverty.

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Located in College Station, Texas, the George Bush Presidential Library’s collection includes documents, speeches and photos around the first conflict in Iraq: Desert Storm, Iraq War, the capturing of General Manuel Noriega, and President Bush’s call for a new volunteerism in America: A Thousand Points of Light.  In addition, the library offers a summer day camp from June through August for children ages 7-12.

George W. Bush Presidential Library

Lewiston, Texas is the temporary home of the George W. Bush Presidential Library.  The permanent location will be on the campus of Southern Methodist University and is scheduled to be open to the public in 2013.  Look for documents, letters, journals and speeches surrounding September 11, 2001, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with his pivotal education policy: No Child Left Behind.

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The Wild, Wild Flowers of Texas

June 4, 2011 By
Closeup of lupines in bloom along trail, Lady ... 

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Texas is known for a lot of things, cowboys and cattle, oil wells, and country music.  It also has one of the most beautiful displays of wild flowers in the U.S.  The richest display of these jewels of nature is in the central hill country just northwest of Austin, in Llano country.  The most resplendent displays are seen in Spring through early summer.

Bluebonnets are by far the most popular Texas wild flower.  Typically they are an early Spring flower and have usually bloomed out by early May. The common name “bluebonnet” came from the similarity of the shapes of the petals to the bonnets pioneer women used to protect themselves from the sun.

Texas Paintbrush bloom alongside Bluebonnets.  It is often described by horticulturists as a hairy upright biennial herb.  It has an orange-red flower, loves direct sun, and blooms in early Spring.  Texas Paintbrush is self-seeding and while technically an annual, it returns to same fields year after year.

Indian Blanket is another very popular and prolific Texas wild flower. Its blooms are circular, with a deep red center, an orange mid-section, and sweet yellow tips.  The bloom ranges in size from 1 to 2-1/2 inches in size.

In honor of the Texas Wild Flowers and native plants throughout the United States, Lady Bird Johnson has created a Wildflower Center in Austin.  If you are unable to see the wildflowers in Spring and early summer, a trip to the Wildflower Center in Austin is an excellent substitute.  The Wildflower Center has developed a native plant information network that catalogues more than 7,200 native species.

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Nine Flags of Nacogdoches

June 1, 2011 By
Part of historic downtown Nacogdoches, Texas

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Located in east central Texas, Nacogdoches is officially, the oldest town in Texas.  The area between LaNana and Banita Creeks in what is now downtown Nacogdoches was the home a Paleolithic settlement  dating back to approximately 10,000 B.C.  Over time it evolved into the a settlement for Caddoan Indian tribe.

Because of its antiquity, nine flags have flown over the city Nacogdoches.  The first that we know of, is the French flag which flew in the years 1685-1689. The French influence was short lived and ultimately they were  pushed aside by the Spaniards.  The second flag was the Spanish flag which flew for almost 300 years (1510 to 1821).

The third and fourth flags are less well known.  The third flag was that of Gutierrez-Magee and flew for just one year  from 1812 to 1813.  It was Bernardo Gutierrez and Augustus Magee who made the first attempt to make Texas a republic.  The fourth flag was that of Dr. James Long and flew from 1819 through 1821.  Long led a failed expedition to claim Texas for the United States.

The fifth flag was the Mexican flag which flew from 1821 through most of the years until 1836.  However for a brief period, the sixth flag, that of the Fredonia Rebellion also flew. The Fredonia Rebellion was one of several attempts for Texans to free themselves from Mexican rule.

The seventh flag, Lone Star, commemorated the Battle of Nacogdoches which freed parts of Texas from Mexican rule in 1836.  The eighth flag was the Confederate Flag which flew during the Civil War period.

Finally, the ninth and lasting flag is the United States of America.

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Things to do in Amarillo, Texas

May 25, 2011 By

Amarillo is one of the cities in Texas and here one can really discover the old feelings of Texas. There are several entertainment and fun things one can really enjoy in this city. Canyons are very beautiful and an individual can get to see cowboys, and this place is surely the right choice for kids. Here are some of the favorite attractions in the city.

USA_Texas_Amarillo_Cadillac_Ranch_Sideview

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The Amarillo Zoo is one of the definite places to visit and kids will definitely enjoy. It costs only few dollars to enter this zoo and also children under 2 years are free to go inside. There are more than 60 species of animals in the zoo and there is also an exhibit that shows some of the native wildlife of this region such as gray foxes and coyotes.

Another great attraction in this region is the Cadillac Ranch. This public art installation consists of 10 Cadillacs of the 50s and these are buried upright in the earth. All the buried cars are beautifully covered with graffiti artwork and nobody can find these anywhere in the world. The visitors are allowed to take spray paint and they can paint their creative artwork on these cars.

Another great place for kids is the Don Harrington Discovery Center. This science museum not only provides information for the kids, but also has many fun elements to entertain the kids. The plant lovers will definitely enjoy Amarillo botanical gardens in the city and this place exhibit many exotic plant species.

 

 

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Cruise Options and Destinations

May 24, 2011 By

Want to get away and enjoy a relaxing cruise? There may be little surprise to the popularity of cruises, which are one of the major options when it comes to vacations in general. Here are some ideas for you to exercise your imagination when it comes to your next vacation.

If you’re in the market for a destination leaving from Texas, which makes for great opportunities in a “mini-vacation” before you leave the Lone Star State, look at the Caribbean. There are a number of exciting areas that are perfect for a wonderful cruise.

Barbados holidays are an exquisite affair with you and your family. Imagine the sandy beaches and wonderful sights of Barbados on your next holiday. With a cruise, you can enjoy your own pace while enjoying this exciting destination.

Don’t forget about other options in the region. Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Vincent begin the long list of ways that you can transform your next vacation. Keep an eye on these locations, as they are great spots for any kind of vacation. From enjoying the sights to swimming on the beaches, the Caribbean offers a wonderful array of cruise and vacation destinations. You won’t forget the soft sand or the brilliant turquoise waters.

Start planning your cruise today by looking at some of these cruise destinations and imagine how you could be spending your next holiday or vacation. There are surely many options to satisfy the experienced traveler. If you need a great vacation or something a little bit different, a cruise to an exotic location such as Barbados or Jamaica could be in the cards.

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Texas History, Family Fun

May 19, 2011 By
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

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It is an assumption of wild acres: the endless sprawls of a frontier, the sweeps of lonely hills and rivers. The notion of Texas is often larger than the state itself (which is no easy feat, with the boundaries swelling over 268,820 square miles). It is a world of its own, conjuring images of American cowboys and their lonely treks, the romantic quests for freedom. Such thoughts, perhaps, lean toward the cliches, but their power still remains.

And no attraction captures the wonder of them more than the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum.

Future residents (after obtaining a moving company quote) are urged to find this unique institution. Established in 1999 which makes it one of the newest buildings of its kind within Texas the Bob Bullock Museum seeks to explore the origins of both the country and the state. Guests first arriving to the building are met by a 35 foot Lone Star: which symbolizes the philosophy of less is never more and more is always better. Those entering the structure will have three stories to explore, each filled with one of kind artifacts and archival information.

Individuals can now walk among the past. Encounters on the Land (which dominates the first floor) chronicles Native American tribes and European settlers.Building the Lone Star Identity (which is contained within the second floor) details the many battles and border skirmishes that shaped the territory. And Creating Opportunity enables guests to see how the notion of ranchers is truly limiting, offering validation for science, medicine and more.

The Bob Bullock Texas History Museum is a cannot-miss attraction.

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Fun and Entertainment Activities in Austin, Texas

May 16, 2011 By

Deep Eddy Pool located at 30.2765° -97.7732°,A...

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Amount of entertainment and fun option in Texas is enormous and this is one of the best places for spending the holidays. Austin is the capital city of the Texas state. This is the major technological and commercial center of the state and this place is considered to be one of the safest places to live. Here are some of the things one can do in Austin.

Volente Beach is a waterpark in the city and this is located very close to Lake Travis. This has many water rides, fun activities for kids, and sandy beach to entertain the visitors. The Ziker Park in this city is an example for natural beauty and also it has many fun activities for visitors to keep engaged. The visitors can enjoy mountain train rides, canoe rentals, open air musical shows, picnic facilities, riverboat rides, and even play soccer.

Ziker Botanical Garden is situated inside the Ziker Park and here one can see many theme-based smaller gardens. The gardens are beautifully decorated with attractive landscapes such as wooden bridges, waterfalls, and lily ponds. Water lovers will definitely enjoy the Deep Eddy Pool, this is a natural pool and water supply is done through artesian well. This pool has shallow area for children and deep end for experienced swimmers.

One can even avail package tour called the Austin Duck Adventures where the visitors can enjoy visiting beautiful landmark of the city along with a tour guide. Other than this there are so many other places such as Pioneer Farms, Inner Space Caverns, and Canopy tours to entertain the visitors.

 

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