Tag: Farmers market

Fall Getaways Along America’s Open Roads

Maybe you keep the windows rolled down; maybe you curate a fall playlist from Spotify, maybe you stop at farm stands along the way for the last bounty of summer’s harvest. Fall is a great time to take a road trip – less traffic, less heat and possibly more colorful than summer trips. A good fall road trip is a great way to keep that quick glamping getaway feeling alive and well. Here are a few ideas: 

Cabins at Thousand Trails Seaside
Thousand Trails Seaside

Seattle, Washington to Cannon Beach, Oregon:

We recommend starting from Tall Chief Campground at the end of your glamping stay there. Your trip will be roughly 200 miles or 4 hours with no traffic and no stops. Stops add to your timeframe, but also to your adventure. Don’t take the quick way – we promise it’s worth the time. Make sure to book a cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Seaside as your home base in the Cannon Beach area. Washington’s capital, Olympia, is on the way. A stop here could include a visit to the farmers market (open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.); the Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (about 20 minutes out of Olympia) to see coyotes, eagles, herons and more roaming the refuge; or tour the State Capitol Building and grounds. Aberdeen, the childhood hometown of Kurt Cobain, is also a possible stop if you love Nirvana or just music nostalgia. There is also the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport here. By the time you reach the charming coastal city of Astoria, Oregon, you’re almost there, but there are several things to see here too. The Oregon Film Museum is one of these – it’s a small museum dedicated to the films and television productions filmed in Oregon that includes paraphernalia from “The Goonies”, “Twilight” and “Kindergarten Cop” among others. There’s also the Astoria Column, to commemorate the settlement of the West; Fort Clatsop, a replica of the Lewis and Clark encampment and the scenic riverwalk. Then on to Cannon Beach – don’t miss Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.  

Cabins at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe
Thousand Trails Lake Conroe

Houston, Texas to Dallas, Texas:

If you’ve spent time glamping at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, most likely you’ve taken in the highlights of Houston, including Space Center Houston, the Houston Zoo and beautiful Hermann Park. Now it’s time to meander north to the Big D, aka Dallas and see what there is to see along the way. One stop to consider would be the college town of College Station, home of Texas A&M. Buy your Aggie gear, visit The Gardens, the college’s living classroom full of flora and fauna, or grab a quick bite at the many restaurants ranging with a variety of fare from wood-fired pizza to soul food. Back on the road and you may want to consider another stop in Waco – that is if you’re interested in prehistoric animals! In Waco, you will find the Waco Mammoth National Monument. This is the site that in 1978, paleontologists began the dig that eventually unearthed the bones of a nursery herd of Columbian mammoths, dating back 1 million years. Have you heard of the Pierogi Path? The town of West, Texas, is on the Pierogi Path, a route that celebrates the Czech heritage of the area and of course, has bakeries and shops along the route that offer Czech specialties like kolaches and pierogies. Don’t miss the Czech Stop and the Little Czech Bakery which can be found in West. On to Dallas, where your glamping cabins can be found at Thousand Trails Bay Landing or Thousand Trails Lake Whitney. Dallas attractions can include the Dallas Museum of Art, the Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza commemorating President John F. Kennedy, the Bishop Arts District, and White Rock Lake. If you’re visiting Dallas between now and November 1, don’t miss Autumn at the Arboretum, a spectacular harvest festival with pumpkins, a Goth Garden and more, put on by the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. 

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5 Things to Do in/around Weslaco, Texas

Have you heard of the 1015 onion? If you haven’t, then most likely you did not know that this  sweet, non-tearing variety was developed by a professor at Texas A&M and then cultivated in Weslaco. Of course, there’s now an annual Onion Fest held each spring here, but there’s so much more to do in Weslaco as well. First off, the winter climate is spectacular with daytime highs in the upper 70s, so outdoor activity is definitely on the to-do list. What else is there to do, you ask? Take a look at our five ideas and before you go, book a stay at Victoria Palms RV Resort or Encore Country Sunshine. 

Aerial View of Victoria Palms RV Resort
Aerial View of Victoria Palms RV Resort

1. Whether you’ve always been a bird watcher or are jumping on the bandwagon of this fast-growing pastime among the Millennial and Gen Z generation, this part of Texas is the place to be for watching our avian friends. The Estero Llano Grande State Park is home to more than 325 species of birds and there are plenty of trails to walk while checking off the birds on your list (which you can download from https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/publications/bird-checklists.) 

2. Take a day trip to nearby South Padre Island and enjoy a day at the beach or some water sport fun like swimming, fishing and surfing. Don’t miss the Sandcastle Trail, which has 30 sand sculptures, or the unique Sea Turtle Art Trail which has a variety of art formations dedicated to the sea turtle. Speaking of sea turtles, visit Sea Turtle Inc., the world’s largest enclosed sea turtle hospital, which is dedicated to rescuing, rehabbing and then releasing the turtles back to the sea.  

Vacation Cottages at Encore Country Sunshine
Vacation Cottages at Encore Country Sunshine

3. Head over to the town of McAllen (less than 15 miles) for some history, culture and a fabulous farmer’s market (held every Saturday). Learn the history of the area at the McAllen Heritage Center, explore the arts district which has more than 20 galleries and the historic Archer Park, which is home to a still-standing gazebo that dates to 1918, or enjoy the booming food scene here that includes such interesting foodie delights as Korean corn dogs, seafood tacos, wood-fired pizza and authentic chilaquiles.  

4. A great way to get to know Weslaco is to partake in the Weslaco Scavenger Hunt where you’ll see town landmarks, learn about the town’s history and get in some exercise on this great walking tour/interactive game.  Details can be found at letsroam.com/scavenger-hunt/weslaco-tx. The Weslaco Museum is also another great place to learn about this little Texas town. 

Vacation Cottage at Victoria PalmsRV Resort
Vacation Cottage at Victoria Palms RV Resort

5. The Frontera Audubon Society is a 15-acre nature preserve located in Weslaco that is home to birds, butterflies and native plants as well as the historic landmark, the Skaggs House, a Spanish Mediterranean-style home built in 1927.  To plan your visit, head to https://fronteraaudubon.org/. 

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