Austin Closes Two Best Pools In Texas

Texas tourism outdoor recreation news --OK, I know its practically February and to many a swimming pool story is a bit out of place.  But this is the Texas FunBelt, where in winter there are often days in the 70s, and in Austin there are more than just a few polar bear types ... so these fabulous pools are used year round.

Deep Eddy Pool at age 100 is the oldest swimming pool in Texas (National Register of Historic Places) and Barton Springs Pool is the grandest.  Deep Eddy is closed a few months for a $2million renovation, and a recent downpour washed debris into Barton Springs and it is closed indefinitely for cleaning.  Both pools are spring fed.

Naturalists note: Under the federal Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service named the Barton Springs salamander as an Endangered Species. And one of only four known surface habitats for this salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is Barton Springs Pool!

A Farmstead Museum In Dripping Springs

Take a step back in time and into history in the Texas Tourism FunBelt community of Dripping Springs at the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead museum.  Nestled on five oak-filled acres, this 1854 farmstead offers a fascinating and informative glimpse into the Lone Star State's historic past.

You'll experience the rural life of a Texas Hill Country pioneer farmstead and see its beautifully renovated barn, smokehouse, windmill and garden areas.  Dr. Pound was a man advanced in the sustainable living mindset and built into his home and out-buildings a rain water collection cistern; a self-watering trough for the farm animals, and a unique in-ground hot house that kept the good doctor's medicinal herbs and vegetable seedlings growing in the winter.

PS Bring a lunch to eat at their picnic tables beneath the oaks.

Mexico Drug War A Problem For Texas

Texas tourism news --Mexico's drug war is a problem for the United States.  The primary victims of cartel violence has been Mexican citizens — 47,000 dead in six years. This in Mexico poses economic and security threats to Americans.
 
The cartels reside in Mexico. The demand for illicit drugs resides in the United States, which gives the cartels the cash they need to procure the weapons they use in their reign of terror. The weapons typically come from the United States as well.

What my San Antonio Express-News headline link does not point out is the drug cartel violence will stop only when the USA government's war on citizen drug users ends.  It also does not mention the USA government has been shipping weapons to the cartels in Mexico.  Likewise, it has in the past sold drugs in the USA to finance its black ops.  This data can be found with a Google search.

  

Only presidential candidate Ron Paul wants to end the USA government's failed 40-year, trillion dollar War on Drugs and restore peace to the Texas Mexico border.  Texas Congressman Ron Paul is the 2012 tourism candidate.

Louis Tussaud’s Amazing Waxworks

At Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks in San Antonio lets you experience the world of movie stars, historical figures, fantasy and fear. On display in themed galleries are over 200 life-like figures in amazing detail from the famous to the infamous.

The Waxworks is on Alamo Plaza and a few steps across the street from the famous Texas shrine of liberty.

Comedy & Oddity Festival April 25-28

The last weekend of April a great Texas tourism opportunity for you to have a most fabulous and Austintatious five-day getaway in the Live Music Capitol of the World.
 
The new Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival is booked concentrically with the Austin Food and Wine Festival that happens April 27-29.  
 
The Moontower festival will feature more than 60 comics performing at about a dozen venues in town, including the historic Paramount and State theaters. The event's size and scope already places it among the larger comedy festivals in North America. Some of the 2012  headliners: Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers, Aziz Ansari and Steven Wright. Some recognizable comedy institutions — The Onion and Funny Or Die — have already signed on as sponsors for the festival, which will also include improv and sketch acts, as well as film.
 
"I think this event will put Austin on the map as a seat of comedy in the United States.  I think over three years ... there will be two North American festivals that people will be looking at in comedy — one will be Montreal (Just For Laughs festival) and I think the other will be this one. That's the goal." 
  
Go for it!
 
PS The 17 nightly lit Moontowers are Keep Austin Weird icons that are recognized as Texas State Landmarks, State Archaeological Landmarks, and in the National Register of Historic Places.

Texas State Park Nature Tourism Is Down

Texas nature tourism report --Last summer wildfires caused $11 million in damage to Texas state parks and, coupled with the worst single-year drought in Texas history, discouraged visitors.
  
"These oppressive summer temperatures, no water in rivers and lakes, burn bans ... all of those things conspired to keep people inside as opposed to going outside."

The number of visitors in August 2011 alone fell by a quarter. Some of Texas Tourism District's most popular parks having water attractions saw declines of nearly 55 percent in visitation revenue rates. 

 

A study that showed persistently low water levels at Lake Travis in Austin resulted in 50 percent few visitors — with $33 million less in revenue and 580 lost jobs. Lake Travis typically generates  $112 million+ in revenue from nature tourism, recreation, boat sales and visitor spending in lakefront restaurants.

San Antonio Cocktail Conference 1/26-29

Texas tourism fun event --You may not be in the Alamo City in time to attend the event this weekend, but my headline link review of San Antonio Cocktail Conference locations is a good list for your next visit.

 

"The opening night soirée kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bohanan's (eight bars and 16 specialty cocktails); classes (most at the Gunter Hotel and most at $30) begin at 11 a.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday; Ocho Lounge (Hotel Havana) and Soho Wine & Martini Bar are hosting parties Friday night with free connections by river barge; Saturday night there's a closing celebration at The Esquire Tavern; and Sunday everybody staggers home after a Bloody Mary brunch at the historic Gunter Hotel."

SXSW: Hotels & Guest Housing Filling Up

Texas tourism major festival --The website HomeAway connects home owners with travelers looking to rent. 

 

"As it sits today, most of our 357 listings we have here in Austin are booked for both weeks of South by Southwest.  It is a lot tougher, as we get closer to March it is going to get even tougher, and I would assume as we get closer to March prices are even going to go up." 

 

Experts say it's perfectly normal to see travelers book up to one year in advance for SXSW. HomeAway has about 50 Austin rentals left.

F1 Race Austin? Get Your Hotel NOW

Texas tourism spectator sports --The Hilton Austin General Manager reports the is hotel already booked with 10 months left until F1 race day!  That manager sees the event impacting the hotel industry as far away as San Antonio.

 

"The demand for rooms is just phenomenal I would say that this puts us on the international map and it is a great opportunity for Austin to really show what we have and the tremendous assets that the city has to the rest of the world." 

 

Formula One U.S. Grand Prix update: For $100, you can get your name on a special waiting list that will allow you to be among first-picks when tickets actually go on sale. Ticket prices will range from $1,000 to $5,000. Over 10,000 of these pre-sale reservations have been sold so far.

Ron Paul's "End The TSA Money Bomb"

Texas tourism news travel update -- Ron Paul surpassed his goal of $250,000 just three days after he launched the "End the TSA" grassroots money bomb!
 
Presidential candidate Ron Paul raised a quarter-million dollars just two-and-a-half days into his campaign to "End the TSA," launched shortly after Senator Rand Paul made headlines for refusing a security patdown.
 
Rand Paul was travelling from his home in Louisville to attend a session in the Senate. The detainment by the TSa violates Article 1, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution: “The Senators and Representatives…shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same….”
 
Meanwhile, the Tenth Amendment Center expects as many as 12 states to introduce freedom to trravel legislation aimed at the TSA in 2012, and with recent events once again putting the agency in the spotlight, even more could follow suit.  Texas had similar legislation last year but it was blocked from passage by Rick Perry and Dave Dewhurst. 
----

The following is excerpted from today's letter sent by U.S. Presidential contender and Texas Congressman, Dr. Ron Paul ... the tourism candidate:

As President, I pledge to do everything in my power to strengthen our national security by ending the theatrical sham that is the TSA. My Plan will take the responsibility for security from this reckless bureaucracy and return it to the private property owners who will do everything possible to keep their customers safe.  
  
Will you help me win this race and fight back for our civil liberties by making your most generous contribution right away?
 
You see, not one of my establishment opponents – and certainly not the incumbent, who stands idly by every day while this disgrace operates in our airports – will lift ONE FINGER to stop the TSA, stand up for our Constitution, and preserve passengers’ dignity.
 
Please, give whatever you are able right away to our End the TSA Money Bomb to help us keep the spotlight on this out-of-control organization and restore respect for freedom and common decency to the White House.

 

For Liberty,
Ron Paul

Old Cedar Post Handmade Furniture

Texas tourism unique shopping --The Old Cedar Post is in the FunBelt town of New Braunfels.  The retail outlet features cedar and cedar/ceramic furniture and furnishings hand made on a family ranch nearby. The wood used is Mountain Cedar (Ash Juniper) which is an indigenous tree to the Texas Hill Country. 
  
The family harvests the cedar logs themselves and mill the wood on their sawmill which allows them to custom cut the lumber for making your furniture. Mountain Cedar has the individuality and durability that makes great furniture and furnishings that will be enjoyed today and for years to come.

Great Texas Drought 2012: Lake Travis

Texas tourism water recreation report --Doug Powell manages Emerald Point Marina servicing Lake Travis near Austin:  "It actually is the worst I've seen it. The last time the lake was lower than this was 1963."

However, in 1963 there were only a few dozen docks on the Lake Travis. There are now more than 6,000 struggling to keep up with the departing shoreline.  My link has a video report.

When Central Texas lakes are this far down all of the Texas FunBelt's non spring fed rivers run too low for good tubing and canoeing.

Great Texas Drought 2012:: Medina Lake

Texas tourism water recreation report: "Medina Lake near San Antonio is 52 feet down and hasn't been this low in twenty years.  

"All around Medina Lake, floating docks are resting on rocks. Sailboats are listing on their sides, surrounded by dry dirt."

When Central Texas lakes are this far down all of the Texas FunBelt's non spring fed rivers run too low for good tubing and canoeing.

Obama Tries To Promote USA Tourism

Texas tourism news --USA President Obama has declared that "America is open for business" and laid out steps to make it easier for some foreign vistors to travel here. The president announced one of his infamous executive orders.  It reduces the time in takes for USA travelers from China and Brazil to get visas. 

 

His order eliminates the need for visitors from Taiwan to get visas at all to visit here — something at citizens of 36 nations, mostly in western Europe and from Japan and Australia, enjoy.  

 

Obama is making permanent the Global Entry program, which allows special travelers who undergo rigorous background checks to breeze through customs. 

   

"We want to welcome you.  We've got the best product to sell. I mean, look at where we are. We've got the most entertaining destinations in the world." 
   
He ordered the Commerce and Interior departments to develop a national tourism strategy that highlighting parks, and cultural and historic sites.  He has set up a tourism advisory board. 

   
All of these steps, Obama said, are designed to create jobs. But, in my opinion, it will take reining-in the TSA (aka Tourism Suppression Administration) to bring air travel back to its full potential.

Texas DPS Gunboat Patrols Mexico Border

Texas tourism news travel update --To help officers secure the Texas-Mexico border the Texas Highway Patrol bought a thirty-four foot powerboat armed with six .30 caliber machine guns set in four different firing positions.  To help protect officers the “front area here will be lined with bulletproof glass.  

It's all part of the ongoing militarization of local poliece forces in the USA.

 

The patrolling gunboat belongs to the Texas Highway Patrol’s newly created Marine Unit, which plans to buy buy five more custom boats.  The Marine Unit will be stationed throughout southern Texas primarily along the Rio Grande, with a mission of preventing drug cartels from smuggling their goods across the border.

Keeping Austin Weird + A Flashback

Austin has two hit videos on the Web these days, neither is a tourism piece but both offer insight to what make the Live Music Capitol a unique USA city.

The first video is called "S*it Austinites Say" and the second is a culture history flashback "Do You Remember Austin (Back in the Good Old Days)" ... check 'em out as you get ready visit for SXSW, the Star of Texas Rodeo, or just a fun-filled getaway weekend.

Flipnotics In Top 10 Coolest Coffee Shops

Texas tourism funspot --Zagat rated the Top 10 independent coffee shops around the USA and judged them by quality drinks, perfectly-roasted coffee, a variety of beans, hip baristas and an artistic quality lacking from the name-brand chains. 

The Texas FunBelt scored with Flipnotics in Austin making the list.  Flipnotics has been a local live folk music icon since it opened in 1992.  Beautiful decks surround the shop and offer a relaxing atmosphere on your way to or from Barton Springs or Zilker Park. 

Here's what Zagat said: "The artistic aura that Austin puts out has been drawing people in for decades and, like any good, creative-minded person, they need caffeine. At Flipnotics they get that and for the past 19 years this quirky café has served the needs of musicians and artists with cups of steaming Fair Trade organic coffee and by hosting live bands. Also, while the shop remains laid back, that doesn't mean the baristas are lazy, in fact, the coffee mavens here make some of the best lattes and cappuccinos out West." 

Flipnotics is the only Texas coffeehouse on the Zagat list. 

Top Chef Brings Evil Queen To Alamo City

Texas tourism dining --Bravo TV's Top Chef: Texas returned to San Antonio for a dark mission.  

Guest judge Charlize Theron, who plays a self-described “serial killer”of a queen in “Snow White and the Huntsman,” ordered the chefs to make her a murderous banquet filled with all kinds of dark and bloody dishes.

W did she crown as her wicked king? Texas favorite Paul Qui of Uchiko restaurant in Austin, whose “enchanted forest” of  foie gras with bacon, pumpernickel strawberries and pickled cherries — finished off with a bloody hand-print — got the win.

Tex-Mex Border Worse Than Afghanistan

Texas tourism news travel update --Drug war deaths for civilians in one Tex-Mex border state during the first nine months of 2011 exceed the number of Afghan civilians killed in roughly the same period by the war in Afghanistan.

According to the Mexican government, from January through September 2011, 2,276 drug cartel killings were recorded in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, which borders Texas and New Mexico.  

Fortunately the most extreme violence from government's war on drugs' has not yet migrated east to Laredo.  But there have been enough cartel murders on the border 130 miles from the southern edge of the Texas Tourism District, or 145 miles south of San Antonio, that last summer I issued a tourism warning to stay away from Laredo.  It won't be safe there until the, still escalating, 40-year drug war ends.  Here are the horrific details of a Zeta cartel murder trial now underway in Laredo. 

When I say this "war" is escalating it's not jut the thousands of casualties but ... the USA Department of Defense has just transferred its armed efforts in Latin and Central America in the War on Drugs to professionally trained mercenaries!

The only option the Texas tourism industry has is to support Ron Paul for president when the Republican primary voting come to Texas.  He will end the USA government's trillion tax dollar drug war and restore tourism safety to our Texas Mexico border.

F1 Austin Race Set: November 18 @ 1 P.M.

Tickets are not yet on sale for this Texas tourism drawing super hot rod race. The inaugural Formula One race planned for Circuit of the Americas on Nov. 18 is scheduled to start practices Friday, Nov. 16, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 to 3:30 p.m..  Saturday’s practice will be from 10 to 11 a.m., and qualifying will be at 1 p.m.

The length of the Sunday race has not been determined, though it will probably be about 56 laps on a 3.4 mile track, now under construction.

W Austin Hotel Still Fixing Its Falling Glass

Texas tourism lodging --The repairs will soon begin on every balcony at the W Austin Hotel and Residences.  The W needs to install 1,000 panes of specially engineered glass that can withstand hurricane-force winds and bomb blasts. 
 
Glass panels were pulled from balconies on the 37-story W Hotel last summer when eight panels shattered on three occasions , raining glass into the hotel's pool area and onto adjacent streets.
  
The W Hotel, which opened in December 2010, shut its doors for nine days while all the panels were removed.  Sheets of wood have been in place since.

El Greco "Head of Christ" Reframed

Texas tourism fine art --"Head of Christ" is now reframed in the 17th-century Spanish style to appear in the exhibition El Greco Rediscovered.  See it in the first Hamon Gallery of the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio on the upper level for an extended period.

Starting February 1 through April this excellent museum will present an exclusive showing of Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune.  That exhibit will display over 150 Warhol objects in all media.

Southwest Airline's Tour Of San Antonio

This Texas tourism roundup of things to see and do in the Alamo City comes from Spirit in-flight magazine.  The article covers everything from hotels, sightseeing and shopping to snacks, refreshments and dinner.

My headline links to their overview and is a quick must-read for travelers coming to visit the #1 tourism city in Texas, San Antonio.

Austin Food & Wine Festival April 27-29

Order your tickets in advance for this new Texas tourism event. The Austin Food & Wine Festival is sure to continue to elevate Austin's reputation as one of the top food destinations in the nation, which is good for Austin restaurants long after the festival closes.

 

The festival is held at various locations around the city with Auditorium Shores as the central venue. The food oriented event features nationally known chefs, including Michelle Bernstein, Masaharu Morimoto, Marcus Samuelsson and Jonathan Waxman, than in years past, and slightly fewer Texas participants than longtime festival-goers are used to. Monica Pope of Houston, Tim Byres of Dallas and San Antonio's Jason Dady and Andrew Weissman

 

A $250 weekender pass will get you into most of the events taking place Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29, and the $850 VIP pass is your ticket for all the events, including a few exclusive ones, such as one Friday night that features a performance by Lucinda Williams. Tickets go on sale January 24. 

 

You can find details on the 40 or so events, as well as a complete list of participating chefs, at my headline link to the Austin Food & Wine Festival website.

This Texas Tourism Blog Protests SOPA

This blogger is joining today's Web protest of SOPA.  There will be no Texas tourism posting today, and it is the first day in over four years there has been no post.  

 

We are ashamed to say the author of the Internet monitoring and censorship bill is a Republican politician from the Texas FunBelt, Representative Lamar Smith of Austin.  This man needs to be taken out of office and replaced by a freedom loving person.  
  

Here is the contact info for Lamar Smith.

UPDATE: The U.SA. has fallen to 47th in press freedom rankings on the annual Reporters Without Borders report.

Olivia Restaurant In Austin

Yesterday we reported on Lucy's Fried Chicken, today it's Olivia, a restaurant owned by the same chef. In 2009 it was on the Bon Appetit list of Top Ten Best  New Restaurants in America: 

 

"Chef Holmes's gathers his culinary inspiration from (and in) his backyard vegetable garden. The resulting menu includes produce-based dishes like risotto made with squash and greens, and spinach-potato gnocchi with olives and tomatoes. Holmes is also fond of riffs on comfort-food classics, like spaghetti cooked in red wine and the milk-braised pork shoulder here. The diverse clientele—a tattooed musician on his way to a show or an opera goer dressed to the nines—only adds to Olivia's considerable charm."

 

Since then Olivia in Austin has receives acclaim from Food & Wine, Wall Street Journal, Texas Monthly, Fodors, and the Today Show on NBC.  This Texas tourism dining stop is a perfect choice for Valentine's 

Day, but make your reservation now.

John Kelso Reviews Lucy's Fried Chicken

John Kelso for American-Statesman writes Austin's premier humor column and the man knows the South Austin scene like the back of his hand. And Lucy's is a new South Austin restaurant in that merits a Texas tourism nod because it's owned by the same chef as Olivia, that was named one of the "Top Ten Best New Restaurants in America" in 2009 by Bon Appetit magazine.

Kelso: "No white-haired Kentucky colonel was consulted for Lucy's chalkboard specials. Here's one of them: "Texas Kobi tri tip with charred eggplant, chipotle sauce and dirty rice — $16." Lucy's has diablo oysters. Most fried chicken places have, you know, Tater Tots.

"By the way, Lucy's fried chicken is great, but it does have one shortcoming. It won't give you your daily requirement of Vitamin G, aka grease. What's up with that? I'm eating fried chicken, and I don't have to change my clothes afterward?"

Check my headline link for a great review that's fun to read, this will take you to the Lucy's Fried Chicken menu.

Mexico Drug Cartel Laredo Murder Trial

This cartel trial is taking place just 140 miles from San Antonio, or 125 miles from the southern edge of the Texas Tourism District.  As this Lone Star tourism blogger has been warning, if we don't demand the USA government end it's 40-year failed war on drug users, that war, which has killed over 40,000 people in Mexico, will inch its way north into the Texas FunBelt.

 

"Gerardo Castillo Chavez, 25, is charged in the 2006 double homicide of Jesus Maria “Chuy” Resendez, 36, and his 15-year-old nephew, who were gunned down while stopped at a traffic light on a Laredo highway. He was also accused of taking part in attempted hits on family members of Resendez, who was a powerful trafficker in the area.

   

"Chavez is among 34 charged in a 47-count drug-conspiracy indictment that covers the Zetas' trafficking enterprise. It ranges from 2001, when the one-time hired thugs for the Gulf Cartel were neophytes in the drug transportation business, to 2008, when they controlled supply lines to Dallas and farther north."
  

The USA federal government spent over $15 billion tax dollars in 2010 on the War on Drugs, at a rate of about $500 per second, link here for drug war $ clock and here for war cost $ breakout.   

So if you don't care about the drug user's lives taken and ruined by the so-called war, then consider the effect of ending it on the USA economy:  "...legalizing drugs would save roughly $48.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement of prohibition. $33.1 billion of this savings would accrue to state and local governments, while $15.6 billion would accrue to the USA federal government."


The only 2012 presidential candidate talking sense about drugs and ending this civil war -- is Texas Congressman, Dr. Ron Paul. 

Austin Trails And Proper Trailing Manners

Among the Texas tourism delights related to visiting Austin are the wonderful walking trails throughout the city.  My headline link to the American Statesman article by Pam LeBlanc describes the joy of nature trailing and the etiquette that goes with it.

"We're lucky in Austin. Our trail system goes way beyond urban pathways such as the one that encircles Lady Bird Lake.

"Just a few minutes from downtown, we can hike along sheer limestone cliffs, lose ourselves in thickets of ashe juniper and live oak, or, when we're not mired in drought, wade through babbling streams...."

Texas-Mexico Border X-Ray Scanner Alert

Texas tourism news travel update --Internal Department of Homeland Security documents describing specifications for Texas-Mexico border-crossing scanners, which emit gamma or X-ray radiation to probe vehicles and their occupants, are raising new health and privacy concerns.

Homeland Security was forced by air travelers to back off from adding more X-ray machines to airport checkpoints ... but the spy agency is embracing them for U.S.-Mexico land border crossings as an efficient way to detect drugs, currency, and explosives.

A 63-page set of DHS specifications (PDF), obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, says the Texas-Mexico scanners must “be based on X-Ray or gamma technology,” which use the potentially dangerous ionizing radiation at high energies.  These border checkpoint machines “shall be capable of scanning cars, SUVs, motorcycles and buses.”

“Society will pay a huge price in cancer because of this,” said John Sedat, professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of California at San Francisco. Sedat raised international traveler concerns about the health risks of X-ray scanners, and the European Commission thus prohibited their use in European airports.

Eco-Tour At Jacob's Well Natural Area

Wimberley Valley Watershed Association offers FREE tours at Jacob’s Well Natural Area every Saturday at 10:00 am (except holidays).

Jacob's Well is one of the most significant natural geologic treasures in the Texas Tourism District. It is one of the longest underwater caves in Texas and an artesian spring. Jacob’s Well surges up thousands of gallons of water per minute and acts as headwaters to the beautiful Cypress Creek that flows through Wimberley, sustaining Blue Hole and the Blanco River, recharging the Edwards Aquifer, and finally replenishing estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico.

Winter offers visitors perfect Hill Country weather for a comfortable outdoor ecological tour, but you won't be jumping in for a swim.  The always cool water of Jacob’s Well has provided a beloved swimming hole for generations, a gathering place for Native Americans and early settlers, and a rich habitat for aquatic species.

Through the state government's creation of the Jacob’s Well Natural Area, the land around the well has been unified to restore and protect this sensitive area for future generations of Texans and Texas tourism.

Texas Hill Country Golf At La Csntera

Texas tourism winter golf --The Westin La Cantera Resort San Antonio enlisted the one and only Arnold Palmer to create their championship course: The Palmer Course at La Cantera. This 6,926-yard, par 71 masterpiece winds through the Texas Hill Country and offers the ultimate test of ability. 

It's adjacent to yet another stunner, The Resort Course at La Cantera, previous home of the PGA Tour's Texas Open. 

And when you're not testing your skills, hone them at their on-site Golf Academy.  A wide variety of programs ensure player improvement at every skill level, with customized instruction available on request. 

PS  Every guestroom at La Cantera features the acclaimed Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath, high-speed Internet access, two direct-dial telephones (one of which is cordless), personal voicemail, cable TV, in-wall safe, iron and ironing board and electronic entry door lock.

Winter Camping In Texas Tourism District

"When you do things in Texas winter, you're more likely to have a 55-65 degree day where you can take a six- or seven-hour day hike that you would never consider in the summertime," said Wendel Withrow, author of The Best in Tent Camping: Texas. "Cook yourself a nice breakfast, … hike all day and crawl back in your sleeping bag. The crowds are nonexistent. You may have an entire campground almost to yourself."
 
My Texas tourism headline links to 19 Texas State Parks in the Texas Hill Country.  Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Pedernales Falls State Park and Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park are some of my favorites.

Restaurant Impossible In San Antonio

The new Food Network hit “Restaurant: Impossible” will be filming at Mama Lee’s Soul Food on Jan. 15 and 16. Chef Robert Irvine will have those two days and $10,000 to revamp the restaurant.

If you are visiting the Alamo City on the 16th call 210-653-6262 to make reservations for the grand opening.  The show will air on the Food Network in the spring.

Mexico Tourism & "8 Murders a Day"

It's a must-see documentary that may be coming to your hometown: "8 Murders a Day."  The film comes to Austin on, appropriately, Friday the 13th.

 

Mine is the  only tourism blog speaking out for peace and the end to USA government wars both abroad and at home.  There is no doubt about the damage inflicted on the tourism industry by the government's terroristic actions in the Mid-East and the Drug War (a civil war) in the USA.  The drug war damage has spread its prohibition era violence into Mexico and South America.   

 

Remember, tourism workers, the drug war violence is coming north.  It is now 150 miles south of the Texas Tourism District and San Antonio ... just across the Texas-Mexico border from Laredo.

 

Here is the New York Times review for the film, here is the Austin coverage on YNN TV.

 

Peace is the answer to increased tourism and a return to air travel for pleasure.

Food Trailer Dining In Austin, Texas

The food trailers first became popular in Austin because of their convenience, they could be located in places a restaurant could not.  From that humble start--next to construction sites, quick stops and nightclubs--the food trailer cooks began serving some excellent food .... not just hotdogs, tacos and burgers.  They were no longer serving what I call ballpark food.

Fast forward 2012 and in Austin food trailers have become part of the destination dining scene.  Many offer their customers expertly prepared culinary delights.  Several of these food trailers will cluster in a single location to create a variety of menu choices unmatched by any freestanding restaurant.  [See my earlier tourism blog pose on one such location: the East Side Drive In.  Plus my earlier post on a Southern Living review of the Cuti-Pie Wagon.  And my report on the Austin Trailer Food Festival.]

My headline link gives you a Texas tourism guide to Austin food trailers, food carts, food trucks and any other mobile eatery that graces the Live Music Capitol of the World. There you'll find a quick summary of trailers by food type, their location, hours menu, prices and directions.

Texas-Mexico Border Tourism Update

There are many travel writers reporting that Mexico and its Texas border are safe for tourists.  Statistically that is true, but it is definitely a more dangerous tourism destination than the Texas Tourism District.  Check my headline link for proof.

 

The Mexican Government has just deployed 8,000 troops to the Texas border cities of Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo in addition to the 5,000 troops already stationed there. Why would they do that if their border was safe?

 

Matamoros is one among many cities in the Texas border State of Tamaulipas where the police departments have been dismantled by Mexican MP’s because of corruption and collaboration with the drug cartels.

 

Nuevo Laredo is 125 miles from the southern edge of the Texas Tourism District!  Last year, on the Mexican side of the Texas border, a teenager from Nuevo Laredo was shot twice with a Mexican Military stray bullets.

In 2010 there were many reports of drug cartel members in shoot outs with the Mexican Military, and eventually crossing into the U.S. side of the border as they’re being chased. Groups of armed men have been crossing the border and terrifying residents in Texas. 
  

If the USA government doesn't end its forty year long war on drugs the battles will move north from the border until killing begin in the Texas FunBelt.  Already the Mexican drug cartels operate benignly in San Antonio and Austin.

 

The 2012 tourism candidate is obviously Ron Paul.  Dr. Paul is the the only person in the race committed to ending USA government wars both abroad and at home.  The end of the war in the middle east and the drug war at home will lead us back to a safer America, a friendlier national image to market, and a return to checkpoint-free travel.  If your income is influenced by the spending of travelers and tourists then your candidate for USA president is ten term Texas Congressman Ron Paul.

Bussey's For Great Flea Market Shopping

Texas tourism unique shopping --I know people who are flea market addicts and for them this big market found just outside San Antonio is a must visit.

Bussey's Flea Market opened in the fall of 1978 with120 spaces. Today, this family owned business has grown to over 500 vendors and a customer count between 12,000 and 16,000 every weekend.  They are open Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., so it's best arrive early and plan to spend the day. 

Shoppers will be happy to know that Bussey's has two ATMs, and eight snackbars offering everything from hand-dipped Blue Bell Ice Cream, Snow Cones, Sodas, Beer, Breakfast, Sausage on a Stick, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Nachos, and Tacos, to Funnel Cakes.  I recommend the funnel cakes ... and too, a relaxing afternoon beer in their covered picnic area.

Casa Salazar Custom Wrought Iron & More

Texas tourism shopping --Casa Salazar is found in the Majestic Tower, a few steps away from the entrance to San Antonio's historic Majestic Theatre. Their street level showroom displays furniture and home furnishing accessories, and the second floor is the site of a specially designed Art Gallery.  

They specialize in fine quality Mexican, Spanish Colonial, and Southwestern furniture and accessories.  The Casa Salazar workshop is located in Mexico where they will custom-finish any piece of wrought iron furniture in a number of color selections you may choose from.   

Casa Salazar also sells hrricane lamps, chandeliers, and candle holders.  They offer a beautiful collection of handblown frosted glass bottles with pewter tops and bases in a rainbow of colors and an assortment of lamps and mirrors that are sure to be conversation pieces in any home. 

Austin In Top 10 Best Vacations With Pets

Austin has received many national honors, but this one is totally unique.  The city has just been named the 7th. best place in the USA to vacation with pets!  And, by using the word "pet" we're not talking about a weekend getaway with your lover ... this is about your four legged friends.

The leading pet website DogFriendly has cited the Texas capital city's ample dog parks, bountiful pet-friendly eateries and tons of outdoor activities. The website chose locations for their list according to the supply of pet-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, parks, attractions, stores and other offerings.

As a plus, the live music city will soon have a connection for a pet air transporter, Pet Airways that flies to just thirteen airports nationally.

Austin was the only Texas city to make the DogFriendly Top 10.