Category Archives: Scenery

Vermont Adventures with Green Mountain Man

Last month, I traveled back home to Vermont for a few days to catch up with family, friends and spend some quality time with my favorite person, my niece. Each time I go home, I spend some quality time with my brother doing something outdoor oriented, sometimes shooting guns (attempting to hit a target), canoeing, snowshoeing or going for a drive. This time around, we went canoeing and fishing and hiking.

Canoeing and Fishing

Vermont is beautiful. The mountains are rich and you will find tons of lakes and ponds tucked around, just waiting to be explored. We came across a few of them, in desolate areas. I swear, my brother knows every nook and cranny in Vermont. The man doesn’t get lost.

Needless to say, we didn’t catch any fish, on a lake that is. We ended up catching a few trout in a brook that we went to later. I did get my legs extremely sun burnt. The views were amazing. My rowing skills were not. The oars were taken away, apparently there was too much laughing and not enough “straight” rowing. Makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Hiking

I should’ve learned my lesson snowshoeing. Vermont had a ton of snow this winter, I think the most they’ve seen in a few years so it wasn’t surprising that there were still a few snowpatches at the top of the mountain where we went to hike. We started off on the northern most part of the Long Trail in Richford, Vermont. The thing is, when you hike with my brother, you may start off on a trail but I guarantee that you won’t stay on it. You will eventually come back onto the trail but again, you may not end on it. We started on the trail, went off the train, came back on only to get back off, found it again and eventually cut through the woods to get back to the main road to where we parked the truck. Again – the man doesn’t get lost.

Tons of moose trackings and rubbings on the trees, and a few views peaking out of the trees. As exhausting as it was to hike with someone who seems to still have energy to run up the mountain after hiking for three hours, it was well worth it!

Comfort & Beauty at the Hyatt Lost Pines

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Summertime is the prime time for traveling, especially for families. More so, accommodations while you are checking out a new location, attending events or even conferences for work. I’ve got you covered, or should I say the Hyatt Lost Pines has you covered.

While staying at the resort last month, I was basking in absolute comfort. Besides the entire resort being absolutely gorgeous, the tranquility of my personal room was hard to leave or just perfect after a long day enjoying the outdoors. The rooms had recently been updated (that’s always a plus) but there’s more than just looking pretty and having extremely comfortable beds to get a great nights sleep. It’s all in the details….

The bathroom. Have your pick of an amazing shower or soaking in an oversized tub. What caught my eye was the type of products that were left out. I know, most hotels / resorts leave the typical shampoo / conditioner, etc. however the Hyatt Lost Pines also left out body lotion, foot lotion and after sun gel. Not only did they leave out the extra essentials, they’re also dermatologist approved. Comforting for people with sensitive skin like myself.

Free Wi-Fi, cable, coffee, tea. The ice machine was right down the hall.

It’s the little things, right? I will say, allergy season in Texas almost seems to be year round at time. I GREATLY appreciated this air purifier in my room. I didn’t have to ask for one, it was already there and turned on. Makes everything so much more, breathable.

Texas art and details in the fixtures brings the outdoor, indoors.

If you are like me, you can’t wait to be outside, when you’re inside. Well, you get the best of both worlds! No matter where your room is situated on the property, the view will be phenomenal. I’ll promise you that myself.

Could you ask for a more relaxing view?

For families or groups traveling, be sure to ask about the Family Stay More, Play More resort credits. With a two night minimum stay, you and your family can earn additional credits to spend while staying at the Resort. These can be used for meals or other activities.

Hyatt Lost Pines was voted the top Texas destination and 18th place for the “Top Family Hotels” list in Travel + Leisure’s 2012 World’s Best Awards.

Most Historic Small Town In Texas

Exploring Nature at the Hyatt Lost Pines

Firewheel Cafe at the Hyatt Lost Pines

Activities at the Hyatt Lost Pines

Disclaimer: I was not compensated but did receive one night’s stay at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in return for this post. All photos and opinions are 100% my own.

Bill’s 30th in Austin

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Over the weekend of May 11th, I headed down to Austin to catch up with some friend’s and celebrate Bill’s 30th Birthday. Bill is a friend who I use to work with in Vermont, who moved to New Jersey after I moved to Texas. His friends from New Jersey moved to Austin last year and well here we all were reuniting! Seriously, some of the best people to hang out with!

In honor of Bill’s 30th, we enjoyed some of the best things to do in Texas!

This time in Texas is phenomenal. I’ve mentioned the wild flowers but photos do no justice. They lined highway 35 from Fort Worth to Austin. Also along the way, well everytime I travel down that way, I see this old farmstead off the highway. I actually took the access road this trip to make sure I got a picture. It reminds me of the farm in Second Hand Lions. (One of the best movies of all time!)

Stop Number 1: We floated tubes down the Guadalupe River, just south of New Braunfels and Gruene. Obviously, I didn’t take my camera. I wasn’t taking a chance with my clumsiness. The camera would’ve made it in the water before I would have. I will tell you, that it was one of the MOST scenic and beautiful places I have ever seen. As soon as our trip down the river was done, I was ready to do it again just for the view! Old, large trees were coming out of the water banks, beautiful homes lined the river and at one point there was a huge rock scale that went hundreds of feet up along the river bank.

Stop Number 2: Just down the road from the river is the small town of Gruene. One of my favorites and another place that I can check off the list for visiting twice (because once wasn’t enough). We had dinner at Cantina del Rio which is pretty much tucked away next to Gruene Hall. Fish tacos and a sangria margarita (voted best in the county) are the way to go! (And the prices were very reasonable!)

We then walked around town and checked out some local shops.

Donkey’s – they’re so cute!

I was beyond excited about these chairs. Dad – we’re going to make some!

Stop Number 3: It’s amazing we still had energy for this. Saturday night was spent out on 6th Street in Austin. Rooftop bars, closed off streets and we even got the birthday boy to ride a mechanical bull!