Texas RV Travel blog

Last week, many displaced people from the coast arrived before the storm in Central and at state parks throughout Texas.  While this was a welcome respite from the storm, many remain, trying to make plans for when they can return to their homes.  Or, should I say where there once was a home.

Red Cross Did you know that 1/3 of Texans lives on the Gulf Coast? There are many folk who need help.  Please see what you may do today to make someone’s life a little easier.

Sep. 19 Ike News Update from Texas Parks & Wildlife

10 a.m. CDT — Update 11

Below is information sent by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Governor’s Press Office today. The governor’s office is coordinating official communication about Ike for the State of Texas, including TPWD activities. The following information is provided as a service and convenience for TPWD’s audience. For complete information, see the Texas governor’s web site at http://governor.state.tx.us/, or news media may phone the press office at (512) 463-1826.

For complete TPWD Ike news, including dozens of high resolution photos for news media use, go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/site/emergency.

Texas Game Wardens/TPWD Law Enforcement Division

• TPWD has had approximately 200 game wardens and associated boats and equipment deployed for Hurricane Ike.
• A smaller team of game wardens is today working with local jurisdictions to provide enforcement and assistance on the Bolivar Peninsula, having completed most search and rescue there.
• The bulk of TPWD’s game warden strike teams in the field today are focused on law enforcement patrols, looting prevention and related assistance at the request of affected cities and counties. This includes teamsin the greater Beaumont-Port Arthur area at Vidor, Rose City, Neches River, Sabine River, Cow Bayou, Adams Bayou. It also includes teams in the greater Houston-Galveston area and in various counties in East and Southeast Texas, including Hardin, Orange, Tyler, Polk and Newton Counties.

RE-ENTRY: When Can I Go Home?

REBUILDING: How Do I Put My Life Back Together?

Useful Links

Locating Loved Ones Evacuated by the State
Hurricane Ike Power Outages & Information
Governor’s Division of Emergency Management
Texas Disaster Relief Fund
HHSC - Emergency food stamp help
Register with FEMA
FEMA: Ike Info
Donate or Volunteer through TexasResponds.org

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Well, summer is drawing to an end. Sleepy San Marcos has gone from about 40,000 people to over 70,000 in a matter of days as the Texas State University - San Marcos students move back into town.

Another sign that summer is ending is the Austin City Limits Music Festival has published the tentative line up of musicians to perform September 26-28 at Zilker Park on Lady Bird Lake.

Sampling of Musicians - there are 130 acts featured on eight stages at the 7th annual Austin City Limits Music Festival - Beck. Robert Plant & Allison Krauss. The Foo Fighters. Erykah Badu. The Raconteurs.

Click image to see complete lineup on ACL website.

Austin CVB’s exclusive ACL Festival travel package offers music fans a chance to both save money on their tickets and secure a hotel room in Austin before the entire city sells out.

RV Parks in Austin:

Austin Lonestar RV Park- 5 miles south of downtown on the East side of I-35.

Austin Oak Forest RV Park - 10 minutes from downtown Austin, the University of Texas and the State Capitol. Located east of IH-35 by Decker Lake.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park - on Lake Austin. Some RV slips available. Camping, swimming. Located off FM 2222.

McKinney Falls State Park - Southeast of Austin on Onion Creek. Water and electric sites available. These are not pull through sites and an RV with 2 slides may not fit. Call park for information.

Plum Creek RV - Large sites. Located on IH-35, 12 miles from Austin and 4 miles from San Marcos.

Campground America - in case I missed some!

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Hotels Combined

HotelsCombined.com is a new hotel amenity search engine / price comparison site. I believe Hotels Combined (HC) is linked to more hotel reservation sites than any other hotel price comparison website. Now you may search one website and find the best deal.

Navigation

I really like how the first page brings up what you need to plan a vacation. On the top of the page is calendar loaded check in and check out dates, number of guests in party and number of rooms requested. This will bring up rooms that are available and are the right size for your traveling party.

On the bottom half of the first page, you have three choices:

1. Browse by country on the HC website to locate the geographical region to which you want to travel.

2. Search by hotel name if you have a favorite place to stay or if you enrolled in a hotel award program.

3. Search for another city.

When you have entered your search parameters, click SEARCH.

Refining Your Search

The next page will contain broad search results, so begin by narrowing down the list. Choose your currency from the drop down list. You will need to pay in US$, but putting the rates into your own frame of reference will help you decide on a hotel.

Price is certainly a consideration, so enter your Minimum and Maximum Price per night. There is no sense looking for sold out hotels, so uncheck Show Sold Out Hotels. Now decide if you will stay in a one-star hotel or a two-star hotel. If not, uncheck these Star Ratings.

Amenities Listed

Now, we come to the amenities. The following is not a complete list of amenities, but it is a good place to begin. To find out about hot breakfasts, manager happy hour and other extras, you must read the hotel page.

• Business Center is for using a computer if you do not have one, ordering media equipment for a meeting, sending faxes and making copies. A business center is helpful if you are traveling on business.
• Room Service is nice but usually you pay up to 20% gratuity for the person bringing it. However, this means there is a restaurant on the premises.
• High-speed Internet is what you need to stay in touch on the road.
• Fitness Room is almost a necessity in today’s fast-paced work world.
• Restaurant on site is good, but usually the prices are higher than neighborhood places, but you can sign the charge to your room.
• Parking may not seem like a big deal until you pull into a big city and find out that in addition to parking charges, you must use their valet service and are expected to tip the valet who brings your car to you and the one who parks it.
• Swimming Pool goes along with the Fitness Room in that it is a great way to unwind. If you have children with you, it is a necessity.
• Pets Allowed is your way of know that Fluffy will be welcome, but you will be placed in one of the older rooms in the hotel. You may also wind up with fleas.
• Airport Shuttle is a great service in that it will save you much money in taxi and bus fees. Not only that, but you know you will wind up at the hotel in which you are booked.
• Concierge is your best friend if you do not know the city. They make reservations for you, arrange transportation, book a tour of the city, give directions and suggestions.

Our Essential Amenities

Whenever we travel, there are certain amenities that we must have in a hotel. The first thing I need is Internet access in the room, whether wi-fi or Ethernet. For my husband, there must be a large TV with remote control and a working air conditioner.

We both love spas, so a Jacuzzi tub en suite or an outside hot tub and swimming pool are nice. The bed must be comfortable and I need extra pillows for my back. We also look for a dorm-size refrigerator, a microwave and a coffee pot, if not a full kitchenette.

Extras that we also like are self-serve breakfast (usually two chafing dishes with meat and eggs), toast, bagels, waffles, cold cereals, milk, juice and coffee. A very nice touch is a wine social with a light snack and fruit in the evening.

Whether we travel for business, pleasure or both, we have learned how to make the most out of any accommodation.

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. . . it is sunny, but there is a gentle breeze blowing off the water. You are lying in a hammock under a palm shade shelter sipping an ice cold drink. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea gently break on a white sand beach, just footsteps away. . . Where in the world are you? You are in Cancun, a great vacation spot on the tip of the Yucatan Pennisula in Mexico.

Beginning May 1, you may fly directly from Austin, Texas to Cancun, Mexico for as little as $9.99 on vivaAerobus. Now, I must tell you that after they add departure and airport fees to your fare, you are looking at over $140 one way, which is still a good fare.

The Cancun that you will visit has two zones. There is the city where the natives live and then there is the hotel zone, a 14-mile long island where some world-class hotels stand over the most pristine beaches in the world, overlooking the Caribbean. The lagoon, between mainland and the island is perfect setting for jet skiing or other water sports. Spend your days on the beach or take a ferry to Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) to spend the day looking at ruins.

If you are thinking of sun and fun this winter, visit HotelsByCity.net, where you may find cheap hotels and guides to each destination. For instance, I found hotels for $54 USD per night, all-inclusive hotels for just over $300 per night, with $100 resort credits per day. There are adult-only and family-oriented hotels, so you will be sure to find exactly what you need.

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A popular destination in southwest Australia is Perth and you can always find accommodations by clicking this link for last minute Perth hotels. Sun, adventure, natural beauty and friendly people await your arrival. Perth offers an easy-going lifestyle, and the Swan River and city parks like Kings Park add to the feeling of ease and relaxation.

A good way to explore Perth is by biking the pathways in the city and in the countryside. Biking provides a safe and convenient way to see the sights Perth has to offer. Pedal OZ offers bicycle tours around Perth if you would rather have a guide. Another great way to tour Perth is by jumping aboard an open-top double-decker bus for a narrated tour. Alternatively, you may hire a sailboat, book a scenic helicopter flight or explore the river waters in a canoe.

You may hire a car close to most hotels in Perth. Drive along West Coast Highway to Mettams Pool, a sheltered rock pool is an ideal spot for snorkeling. About 45 minutes from Perth Hotels, Rockingham has beautiful beaches and interactive dolphin experiences.

So, swim, fish, bike, explore southwestern Australia. HotelsToGo, sponsor of this post, will help you with all the arrangements.

Tags: Perth, hotels in Perth, HotelsToGo, swim with dolphins

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