Island Hotel (Mustang Island) Port Aransas, Texas

The Island Hotel was a perfect place for us to stay in Port Aransas . When planning the trip, we had planned on staying at a different hotel. I just could not make myself make reservations though. I am so glad that we didn’t! When we arrived on the island and pulled up to the hotel, we knew that it wasn’t where we wanted to stay. We drove around for a while looking and came upon the Island Hotel. It was so pretty and tropical! We knew we had found the perfect hotel. …and the price was excellent!!!

It has fifty seven rooms and suites.

Our room was large and had a microwave, refrigerator, and free WiFi. It also had the usual soaps and shampoos. The room was spotless! ( Well...it was until we moved our stuff in! lol)  There was not even a little stain on anything!

The complementary breakfast consisted of waffles, cereal, danishes, muffins, and drinks.The island room decor was so pretty! We fell in love with the coral, blue, and yellow paint colors.

The front lobby.

The game room.

A nice pool with a picnic area and a grill.

Pros:

• Friendly staff
• Beautifully decorated grounds and rooms
• Very clean
• Free Wireless Internet Access
• Rooms have a microwave and a refrigerator
• Game room
• Complimentary breakfast
• Pool
• Guest Laundry Facility
• Picnic Area and BBQ Pits
• Pet-Friendly Accommodations
• Close to beach and restaurants
• Great price

Cons:

• It would have been great to be beachfront, but the location was still good. It is about a mile drive to the beach and you will have to purchase a beach parking permit.

Happy Travels! 

Cadillac Ranch on Route 66 - Amarillo, Texas

Located just outside the city limits of Amarillo, ten cars are half buried nose down in a single file. 

This classic landmark along Route 66 is known as the Cadillac Ranch.

This unusual attraction is located in the middle of a grain field on the side of the main road.

This is a place for artistic expression and where graffiti is actually encouraged.

 Bring a can of spray paint and join in on the fun!

The Cadillac Ranch has been the location for filming music video by many artists.

 The cars are occasionally repainted particular colors for the filming of television commercials, public events, and to represent certain celebrations.

This is a fun place to stop and stretch between Amarillo and New Mexico.





Happy Travels! 

The Old Mill (North Little Rock) Arkansas

Nestled in the middle a neighborhood in North Little Rock is T.R. Pugh Memorial Park.

It is a small beautifully landscaped area and home to Pugh's Old Mill.

The Mill was built in 1933 and is an authentic reproduction of an old water-powered grist mill.

It is best known for its appearance in the opening scene of the 1939 film Gone With the Wind.

The concrete bridges were built Senor Dionico Rodriguez to look like stumps and entangled wood branches.

The park is open every day from sunrise until sunset.

It is free to get into the park.

The address is:

3800 Lakeshore Dr.
Lakshore Dr. and Fairway Ave.
North Little Rock, AR 72116

Happy Travels! 

Exploring the Natural Beauty of Cossatot Falls in Cossatot River State Park

Located in Wickes, Arkansas, Cossatot River State Park is a true gem for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This park is known for its beautiful scenery, including rugged terrain, clear water, and stunning waterfalls. One of the most impressive features of the park is Cossatot Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls that are a must-see for anyone visiting the area.

Cossatot Falls is located on the Cossatot River, which flows through the park. The falls consist of a series of drops and pools, which create a breathtaking sight that is sure to impress visitors. The water is crystal clear and the rocks and boulders that surround the falls are beautifully textured, making for a truly stunning natural environment.

To explore Cossatot Falls, visitors can take a hike along the River Corridor Trail. This trail runs along the river, providing hikers with stunning views of the falls, as well as the surrounding landscape. The trail is rated as moderate to difficult, so it is important to be prepared with proper hiking gear and plenty of water.

Another way to experience the beauty of Cossatot Falls is to take a float trip down the river. This is a popular activity in the park, and there are several outfitters that offer rentals and guided tours. Floating down the river provides a unique perspective of the falls and allows visitors to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

For those who want to stay overnight in the park, there are several options for camping. The park has several campgrounds, including tent sites, RV sites, and even a group campsite for larger groups. There are also several cabins available for rent, providing a comfortable and convenient option for those who want to stay in the park but prefer more amenities than traditional camping.

Cossatot Falls in Cossatot River State Park is a must-see destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. With its stunning natural beauty, hiking and biking trails, and opportunities for water sports, this park has something to offer for everyone. 

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri

Discovering Shells on Sanibel Island, Florida: A Guide to Where and How to Find Them

Sanibel Island is known as one of the best shelling places in the world. The island's sloping incline and East West positing make perfect conditions for sea treasures to wash upon the beaches without damage.

I remember preparing for my fist trip to Sanibel. Reading all of the articles and watching videos on shelling had me so excited! I envisioned walking out to the beach and picking up tons of beautiful large shells all day long.

Well, that’s not exactly how it works. There are beautiful shells and some large ones, but timing and luck play a big part in finding them. I have walked out on the best beach at prime time and not found a single shell. Not even a tiny one!

Shelling is serious business on Sanibel! Lol No matter what time of year you go, there will be a lot of people from all around the world there too…and they are looking for shells!

 But there are several things that will increase your chances of finding shells.

Best times for shelling:

Low tide in the morning

Be out there at the crack of dawn – you will see people with flashlights way before daylight (Yes, I have been one of those people! :) )

A day or two after a storm – this stirs things up and brings in a bigger variety of sea treasures.

Cooler months - November thru February

Best places for shelling:(Information on beaches)

Lighthouse Beach

Blind Pass

Turner Beach

Captiva Beach

Bowman Beach

Don’t be discouraged if you walk out to the beach and don’t see any shells. You just need to go to another beach. The last time I was there, I tried Turner Beach and Blind, not a single shell. Then I drove down to Bowman Beach, not a thing. I decided later to drive down to Lighthouse beach and there were so many shells it was crazy!

Luck:

One day you may not find anything and the next day may be excellent. But no matter what you find, it’s a great day if you’re on the beautiful Island of Sanibel!

Have fun shelling and making great memories!

Below are two short video with some shells on Lighthouse Beach, Blind Pass beach, and Turner Beach.

Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens (Pine Island) Matlacha, Florida

The Leoma Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens is one of the most unique and colorful places in Florida. Located on Matlacha Island, a small island off the west coast of Florida, it is a place you diffidently will want to put on your must see list!

Leoma Lovegrove is a talented artist known worldwide for her colorful paintings. Her art gallery is located inside a small cottage that is just as cheerful as her paintings.

The ever changing gardens are a mix of whimsical art, bright paint colors, and tropical plants and trees.

A great way to send a little piece of Florida to someone is with a coconut postcard. How cute is this!

Address:

4637 Pine Island Road NW
Matlacha Island, Florida 33993

Gallery Hours:

Monday-Saturday
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday
11:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Happy Travels! 

The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu Temple) Houston, Texas

 The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a beautiful Hindu temple located in Stafford, Texas ( The Houston area). Who knew such an amazing place existed in Texas! :)

 The Mandir is open daily to the public from 9 am - 8:30 pm. Tours are available or you can just walk around on your own.

 Photography is only allowed on the grounds. No photos can be taken inside the buildings.

 The architecture is beautiful!

 The beautifully landscaped grounds are so relaxing to walk around.

Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the Mandir. Rooms are provided on each side of the stairs for you to leave your shoes. It is also required that your shoulders and legs be covered. If you are wearing a tank top or shorts, no worries, they will provide something at the door for you to cover up with.

Walking around the grounds and touring the Mandir was an amazing experience! Everyone was so friendly and informative. This is definitely a must visit place in Texas!


Happy Travels!