First trip to Texas any advice please?
Jan 13, 2023 07:05:40 #
We came to Texas fifteen years ago from the northeast. Texas is not just a geographic state, but a state of mind as well. Fearlessly independent and proud of their history. If you plan on driving, there is a whole lot of flat land to see between the cities and attractions. Be sure to see a cattle ride like the one they have in the Stock Yard in Fort Worth every day. Others have mentioned the best sites and I have visited many of them. The people are warm and friendly and will be happy to have you listen to their stories. Stay away from July through September as the heat is daunting. But October and early spring are delightful. Do not eat at the chain restaurants: visit the local eateries. Be prepared for almost everything being fried and over-peppered. And don't say "y'all." Texans can spot a phony from a hundred miles. Enjoy.
Jan 13, 2023 08:20:56 #
huntmj wrote:
I also understand that West Texas is very photogenic and would welcome advice on places to visit and stay.
I also understand that West Texas is very photogenic and would welcome advice on places to visit and stay.
It depends upon your idea of photogenic. I lived in Amarillo for 13 years. Trees are rarely seen outside of towns. When you do see one it is more than likely a mesquite tree/bush. Green vegitation is also rare.
Cadillac Ranch west of Amarillo is a popular photo destination.
South of Amarillo by Canyon, TX is Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a smaller version of Grand Canyon. It has a road which winds along the bottom and has some nice photo opportunities. Lighthouse Rock makes for great photos.
Something unique to West Texas and maybe something to visit are the cattle feedlots in Hereford, TX.
Safe travels,
John
Jan 13, 2023 09:05:40 #
Texas is a great state, at least the parts that are still Texan. Hopefully you will only meet and interact with actual Texans. If so, you will enjoy your visit. Houston also has The 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby airport. It is in the original passenger terminal. You might want to watch some episodes of Texas Country Reporter and/or The Texas Bucket List online. You may find some things you want to see and do that way. Safe travels.
Jan 13, 2023 09:07:24 #
ORpilot wrote:
It will be hot....very hot
Most of the state starts to cool off mid-September.
Jan 13, 2023 09:24:25 #
Geographically, I'd say the most interesting place in Texas is Big Bend National Park. It has desert, river and mountains. The lodge is in the mountain area and if you plan to go, I would suggest getting a reservation for the lodge. Typically the temp is about 15 degrees cooler in the mountain area than the desert. If you stay on the main roads you can see the park in a couple of days. Try to rent a four wheel off road vehicle which can take you to areas inaccessible by regular cars. Big Bend is a photographers delight, especially if you use the light. Santa Elena Canyon is special and not to be missed. If you're in shape, you can walk the pathways created on the side of the 1500' cliffs. If you're lucky, the Rio Grande will be running and you'll see kayakers paddeling through the canyon. It's a bit of a drive to get to Big Bend, but the last part helps make it worth while. On your way, try to time your trip to stop at the Hotel Marfa for a meal at its excellent restaurant. I just had their hamburger but it was about the best I've ever had. The hotel itself is Spanish architecture and you'll get some nice photos. It's also where the cast of the movie Giant stayed while filming. I don't suggest staying there overnight, as inviting as it looks. The mattresses were terrible. The lobby is a great photo op as well as the outside of the hotel. There are also several other spots in Marfa that are interesting, such as the Marfa Prada on one of the highways. Not actually a store, it was built by some well known artist as a "fake" Prada store, out in the middle of nowhere.
P.S. Big Bend in October is about 84 degrees on the desert floor. Not as bad as the 103 when we were there in early April. Thank goodness for the mountains!!!!
P.S. Big Bend in October is about 84 degrees on the desert floor. Not as bad as the 103 when we were there in early April. Thank goodness for the mountains!!!!
Jan 13, 2023 09:45:19 #
There are many good suggestions already listed. If you do have time for a few days in the western part of the state consider headquartering in or around Alpine, Texas. Take a trip to Fort Davis and from there to the world famous McDonald Observatory. Call ahead and make reservations for one of their night sessions. You will be amazed at how many stars you can see in that dark sky there. Alpine is also a good HQ for visiting Big Bend National Park. The park is where "God put all the left over parts after creating the world." The park is huge but has a good, paved road through it that will allow you to see many varied sights. I have lived in Texas for the last 48 years and have traveled much of the free world on business and for pleasure. I can assure you that you will feel welcomed here and will have an overwhelming number of interesting things to do. I live in the Fort Worth area, which is north central Texas, and would welcome the opportunity to be your guide if your travels bring to this part of Texas. We have an interesting "cowboy" culture here as well as some sophisticated museums. Hope these comments are useful for you.
Jan 13, 2023 09:47:03 #
I agree, don't go to Texas if this is a photographic trip. I have lived in Texas, my parents were born there and it is mostly flat and lacks photographic intrigue. West Texas is one of the ugliest places in the United States. The Riverwalk area in San Antonio is the only thing of interest to me.
Jan 13, 2023 09:55:14 #
There are mountain ranges in west Texas with peaks over 8,000 feet. There is a wonderful gulf shoreline that has sandy beaches that stretches for over a hundred miles. There is a heavily forested east Texas area full of lakes. There are grassy rolling plains and a large dessert area. There are two national parks that are very scenic. There is an abundance of wildlife and a great variety of birds. I have never lacked for photo ops in this state.
Jan 13, 2023 09:58:58 #
Many good suggestions, Big Bend NP probably the best. Another is WWII museum in Fredericksburg, LBJ ranch there also. An example of Texas, on a 70 mph 2 lane highway, a country/farm pickup will pull into the shoulder to let you pass as he is only going 60. Very courteous.
Jan 13, 2023 10:02:13 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
Snippets of things to see/do Texas trip tips; places I have on my list of places to visit while in Texas. No particular order. I have not edited these much, just cut/pasted to my list of places to check out...
Bat Watching in Austin - Visit Austin (I have done this, and it is very interesting!)
https://www.austintexas.org › things-to-do › outdoors
Big Bend National Park, Texas The eastern side of Big Bend also offers a chance to hop across borders. Park guests with passports can take a $5 round-trip row boat across the Rio Grande to the tiny Mexican town of Boquillas del Carmen and explore its charming shops and riverfront restaurants. Return to Big Bend in the evening for a spectacular night camping under the stars — the dark skies here contain less light pollution than any other national park in the lower 48 states, making for sublime stargazing.
If you're staying in or around Alpine, TX, consider a night tour of McDonald Observatory just outside Ft Davis. Their Star Parties are great, they have schedules on line.While you're there, you should consider a raft trip down the Santa Elena Canyon. Google it, and you will find a lot of pictures and info. Guadalupe Mountains National Park Franklin Mountains State ParkHueco Tanks State Park & Historic SiteExplore Red Sands near El Paso, TexasGorman Falls at Colorado Bend, Texashttp://brod-trip.com/photography-guide-big-bend/ What ever you do, do not pass up the opportunity to visit The McDonald Observatory! Their tours ($22 total for all three) are fun and very informational and the Milky Way is fantastic with no light pollution. If you decide to go,call and make reservations for the tours now as space is limited and they fill up fairly quickly. You will be there at the tail end of the Milky Way sighting, but Google it and determine whether or not to try to capture it. One of the domes is located on the highest mountain in Texas and the daytime view is worth the trip. Water. This is desert country. Have water bottles or canteens and fill them at every opportunity.Make sure you have reservations where ever you plan to stay. Fort Davis is a good place to base and it's near McDonald Observatory (a great place to shoot the stars). Cibolo Ranch near Marfa late in September. No matter where you go you will be amazed at the beauty. You'll have a great time. If staying in the Chisos Basin Lodges make reservations at least 6 months ahead
BTW an earlier comment on distance to Alpine being 50-60 miles from center of park; more like 90 miles. The roads in that area are not fast roads, so may not be a convenient option if visiting the park itself for more than one day, which is not nearly enough. watch your speed. http://www.flickr.com/groups/bigbend/ Balmorhea State Park
9207 State Highway 17
Balmorhea, Texas
“The World's Largest Spring-fed Pool!”
We all know that "everything is bigger in Texas", but the old saying often proves to be even more true than you might expect. It's not just about big cowboy hats, big hair and giant steaks... you can even find the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool in the Lone Star State at Balmorhea State Park. The pool itself is 1.75 acres big and holds 3.5 million gallons of water-- so it's definitely Texas-sized! It's fed by the San Solomon Springs, which pump 15 million gallons of fresh, pure spring water into the pool every day-- so it's all natural and totally not chlorinated. The pool is up to 25 feet deep in some places, which makes it perfect for snorkeling or skin and scuba diving, if a casual dip in the more shallow parts or doing jack knifes off the diving board isn't quite doing it for you. Plus, since the water stays around 72 to 76 degrees naturally, it's refreshingly cool during the hot summers, but not so cold that you have to worry about it being so frigid that you can't jump right in. The springs have been important to the people of West Texas for years: the Mescalero Apaches watered their horses there, and farmers used it to irrigate their farmlands during the 1800's. The massive pool was built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the organization that employed young men to help rebuild parks and roads when jobs were scarce during the Great Depression. There's a canal that guides the water through the pool and then downstream to Balmorhea Lake, which is about three and a half miles away, watering alfalfa and cotton crops along the way. The park is also home to cienegas (desert wetlands from the spring) which are the perfect habitat for some rare plants and wildlife that you won't find many other places in the world. The park has campsites, if you want to make a weekend of your trip to the pool, as well as a retro, 1930's-inspired motor lodge, San Solomon Springs Court. Check out Fredricksburg, Johnson State Park, Natural Bridge Cave, maybe even Enchanted Rock, all in the Hill Country. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
The second-largest canyon in America (after the Grand Canyon, of course) is within Palo Duro State Park. Located in the Texas Panhandle, the Palo Duro Canyon has been a source of wonder for centuries. In fact, the breathtaking views were a frequent subject of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings when she lived in the region and headed the art department at West Texas State Normal College. The canyon, consisting of red-rock scarps and dotted with desert shrubbery, is a whopping 120 miles long and is up to 20 miles wide at certain points.
Palo Duro, which is officially nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” is famous for its spectacular sunsets. The park offers 30 miles of trails along steep mesa walls for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas regularly makes the round-up posts of the least-visited national parks in the country, with an average attendance of only around 200,000 people each year. It's easy to see why, as summers in this southern Texas park are hot, with highs in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit. But when the summer heat dies down, October is the best month to visit. You’ll find beautiful fall colors in McKittrick Canyon between late October and early November, and cooler temperatures make hiking Guadalupe Peak more enjoyable. Birds at Laguna Seca Ranch and Martin Refuge near Edinburg, TX
Laguna Seca Ranch is made for nature photography. They offer blinds and small ponds that are carefully made to help everyone shoot beautiful photos for a small fee of $125 per day. It is well worth it! Photographing birds in South Texas
Bat Watching in Austin - Visit Austin (I have done this, and it is very interesting!)
https://www.austintexas.org › things-to-do › outdoors
Big Bend National Park, Texas The eastern side of Big Bend also offers a chance to hop across borders. Park guests with passports can take a $5 round-trip row boat across the Rio Grande to the tiny Mexican town of Boquillas del Carmen and explore its charming shops and riverfront restaurants. Return to Big Bend in the evening for a spectacular night camping under the stars — the dark skies here contain less light pollution than any other national park in the lower 48 states, making for sublime stargazing.
If you're staying in or around Alpine, TX, consider a night tour of McDonald Observatory just outside Ft Davis. Their Star Parties are great, they have schedules on line.While you're there, you should consider a raft trip down the Santa Elena Canyon. Google it, and you will find a lot of pictures and info. Guadalupe Mountains National Park Franklin Mountains State ParkHueco Tanks State Park & Historic SiteExplore Red Sands near El Paso, TexasGorman Falls at Colorado Bend, Texashttp://brod-trip.com/photography-guide-big-bend/ What ever you do, do not pass up the opportunity to visit The McDonald Observatory! Their tours ($22 total for all three) are fun and very informational and the Milky Way is fantastic with no light pollution. If you decide to go,call and make reservations for the tours now as space is limited and they fill up fairly quickly. You will be there at the tail end of the Milky Way sighting, but Google it and determine whether or not to try to capture it. One of the domes is located on the highest mountain in Texas and the daytime view is worth the trip. Water. This is desert country. Have water bottles or canteens and fill them at every opportunity.Make sure you have reservations where ever you plan to stay. Fort Davis is a good place to base and it's near McDonald Observatory (a great place to shoot the stars). Cibolo Ranch near Marfa late in September. No matter where you go you will be amazed at the beauty. You'll have a great time. If staying in the Chisos Basin Lodges make reservations at least 6 months ahead
BTW an earlier comment on distance to Alpine being 50-60 miles from center of park; more like 90 miles. The roads in that area are not fast roads, so may not be a convenient option if visiting the park itself for more than one day, which is not nearly enough. watch your speed. http://www.flickr.com/groups/bigbend/ Balmorhea State Park
9207 State Highway 17
Balmorhea, Texas
“The World's Largest Spring-fed Pool!”
We all know that "everything is bigger in Texas", but the old saying often proves to be even more true than you might expect. It's not just about big cowboy hats, big hair and giant steaks... you can even find the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool in the Lone Star State at Balmorhea State Park. The pool itself is 1.75 acres big and holds 3.5 million gallons of water-- so it's definitely Texas-sized! It's fed by the San Solomon Springs, which pump 15 million gallons of fresh, pure spring water into the pool every day-- so it's all natural and totally not chlorinated. The pool is up to 25 feet deep in some places, which makes it perfect for snorkeling or skin and scuba diving, if a casual dip in the more shallow parts or doing jack knifes off the diving board isn't quite doing it for you. Plus, since the water stays around 72 to 76 degrees naturally, it's refreshingly cool during the hot summers, but not so cold that you have to worry about it being so frigid that you can't jump right in. The springs have been important to the people of West Texas for years: the Mescalero Apaches watered their horses there, and farmers used it to irrigate their farmlands during the 1800's. The massive pool was built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the organization that employed young men to help rebuild parks and roads when jobs were scarce during the Great Depression. There's a canal that guides the water through the pool and then downstream to Balmorhea Lake, which is about three and a half miles away, watering alfalfa and cotton crops along the way. The park is also home to cienegas (desert wetlands from the spring) which are the perfect habitat for some rare plants and wildlife that you won't find many other places in the world. The park has campsites, if you want to make a weekend of your trip to the pool, as well as a retro, 1930's-inspired motor lodge, San Solomon Springs Court. Check out Fredricksburg, Johnson State Park, Natural Bridge Cave, maybe even Enchanted Rock, all in the Hill Country. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
The second-largest canyon in America (after the Grand Canyon, of course) is within Palo Duro State Park. Located in the Texas Panhandle, the Palo Duro Canyon has been a source of wonder for centuries. In fact, the breathtaking views were a frequent subject of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings when she lived in the region and headed the art department at West Texas State Normal College. The canyon, consisting of red-rock scarps and dotted with desert shrubbery, is a whopping 120 miles long and is up to 20 miles wide at certain points.
Palo Duro, which is officially nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” is famous for its spectacular sunsets. The park offers 30 miles of trails along steep mesa walls for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas regularly makes the round-up posts of the least-visited national parks in the country, with an average attendance of only around 200,000 people each year. It's easy to see why, as summers in this southern Texas park are hot, with highs in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit. But when the summer heat dies down, October is the best month to visit. You’ll find beautiful fall colors in McKittrick Canyon between late October and early November, and cooler temperatures make hiking Guadalupe Peak more enjoyable. Birds at Laguna Seca Ranch and Martin Refuge near Edinburg, TX
Laguna Seca Ranch is made for nature photography. They offer blinds and small ponds that are carefully made to help everyone shoot beautiful photos for a small fee of $125 per day. It is well worth it! Photographing birds in South Texas
Jan 13, 2023 10:14:52 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
Visit the Palo Duro Canyon area if you want some rugged canyon land views. If you visit in the spring, the bluebonnets will be in bloom so plan to do some sight seeing in the area between Dallas and Austin along the rural highways.
Stan
Stan
Jan 13, 2023 10:17:54 #
n4jee
Loc: New Bern, NC
A great place to stay in west texas is the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera. http://www.mayanranch.com/ Family owned and operated. Great food.
Jan 13, 2023 11:08:21 #
I will just say that our members, fellow genuine Hogs, regularly post pictures of places that they have photographed. I don't recall any Texas posts except for some of the Riverwalk in San Antonio which is my favorite city in Texas. I plan to visit this year to see relatives but for photography purposes, I will shoot here in Washington, Utah and Colorado, maybe New Mexico.
Jan 13, 2023 11:22:31 #
It is said that "Everything is big in Texas" and that applies to the size of the state as well. This means that it's a long way to get from one part of it to another. I recommend picking areas close to each other where you can explore its culture and sights within the two weeks that you have rather than spend a lot of your time killing bugs on the windshield of your rental car.
Jan 13, 2023 11:32:18 #
AirWalter
Loc: Tipp City, Ohio
David in Dallas wrote:
I see you are in Massachusetts. That explains a lot.
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