Texas

Family Vacations: Texas Vacations That Strengthen the Family Ties

Family experts say that families that spend quality time together — participating in fun activities that foster family ties – stay together. If you live in the Dallas Fort Worth area, a fabulous family playground is just under three hours away in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma. McCurtain County’s has some of the most beautiful territory in the country.

The Ouachita Mountains rise and fall dramatically along the lower reaches of the Oklahoma-Arkansas line, which is densely covered with one of the oldest short leaf pine forests in the world, as well as heavy populations of hickory and oak. Unlike most American mountain ranges, the mountains run east and west, not north and south. Cursing through those rugged ranges are several lakes and rivers, the Little, Mountain Fork, Upper Kiamichi, Poteau and Broken Bow. McCurtain County is the place where you can create a family vacation Texas style that is just right for you and yours.

The area was named by LIFE magazine as one of the “100 Places to Visit in Your Lifetime” and Dallas Observers voted McCurtain County the “Best Getaway from Dallas.”

Here are four ideas for having family fun on your family vacations. Texas vacation alternatives are just a few hours away:

Idea #1: Family activities for water lovers.

Broken Bow Lake has over 14,000 acres of pristine deep water. The water is incredibly clear and cool because its 180 miles of shore is lined with the forest covered Kiamichi Mountains. Nature in its most unspoiled state is found along the Glover River, Oklahoma’s only untamed waterway (which means there are no dams blocking its course). Because Glover is secluded, its calm waters are ideal for floating on a raft. Beavers Bend has paddle boats and bumper boats. Rent a canoe and take a long lazy cruise together. Take turns paddling, then stop and drift for awhile, taking in the scenery – that includes Eagles flying overhead. Canoes seat two adults and two small children. Older kids will love kayaking, rafting or zooming around the lake on jet skis.

Idea #2: Create your own family posse on horseback.

Southeastern Oklahoma is home to over 535,000 acres of land available for horseback riding. The Ouachita National Forest and the Three Rivers Wildlife Management areas are prime areas for exploration as a family. Horses can travel on the forest floor. The Beavers Bend Depot is perfect for beginners and children where a 2.5 mile ride allows riders to catch a glimpse of deer and various types of wildlife. For more experienced riders, the back roads of McCurtain County offer endless riding adventures.

Idea #3: Play a game of family golf in a pine-laden wilderness.

The course has a pro shop, resident pro, cart and club rentals. Fairways cascade through stands of pine, oak, and hickory and past deer, fox, and wild turkey. More than one hole offers a fine view of Broken Bow Lake and the occasional glimpse of bald eagles.

Idea #4: Take a stroll together in a nearby small town.

Head to nearby Broken Bow, OK to walk around and do some window-shopping. Grab hamburgers at Stephen’s Gap. Catch an old timey radio show live on Broadway Street. Watch chainsaw sculpting at Hochatown Junction Station. Culture and history are plentiful in Broken Bow with three museums each with its own unique subject to offer a rewarding learning experience. The Gardner Mansion and Museum has a collection of pre-historic and historic Indian and pioneer artifacts. Located outside the museum are the remains of a 2,000 year-old Cypress tree.

Spending quality time together as a family can solidify and strengthen family ties, particularly when activities involve water sports, the great outdoors and splendor of nature as that can be found in McCurtain County.

Texas

East Texas Ranch Land

Have you always dreamed of owning a ranch? Did the wide open spaces and stunning beauty of the Texas land on shows like Dallas leave you with a yearning to own some of your own? This may be the perfect time to find East Texas ranch land for sale. Land prices are still low here but you can be sure that they won’t stay this low for long.

As baby boomers and their next generation near retirement, many of them are choosing to relocate to the wide open spaces of Texas. The influx of industry and retirees has made Texas the fastest growing state in the country. Much of that growth is centered on the major metropolitan areas of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin.

In the past few years, many people seeking an escape from the urban hustle and bustle have taken advantage of the lower prices for rural land to acquire their own dreams. The past year has seen the prices for land west of Dallas rise 15%, but the average price of ranch land for sale still remains around $1,000 an acre. As land prices continue to rise in other parts of the state, though, it’s inevitable that more people will look to East Texas ranch lands, and the prices will begin to rise.

What is fueling the current boom in rural land sales? There are a number of factors that contribute to the rising sales and land values in rural areas like East Texas. Lower interest rates are part of the equation, encouraging sales of all types of land and homes. But that’s only part of the impetus. Retirement planning also plays a part in the rising interest in rural East Texas ranch land.

As other investments lose their luster, people come back to basics, and the most basic investment is, and has always been, real estate. Land never goes out of fashion. Even as prices dip and fall throughout the country, investors keep looking for land bargains and they’ve found them in East Texas ranch land.

According to experts at Texas A&M, the typical buyer of East Texas ranch land these days is not looking for a working ranch. If they are buying land for personal use, they are more interested in the esthetic and recreational appeal. They’re buying ranch land for its beauty, and for retirement and vacation homes, where the beauty of the piney woods lends itself to hiking, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Ranch land for sale here offers many advantages and amenities. These include large acreages, and it’s still possible to buy ranch land here in lots of thousands of acres. This is a far cry from many more urbanized and developed areas, where it’s difficult to buy plots of land with more than a few acres. This makes ranch land here ideal for development purposes as well as for use as recreational land or as working ranches.

There are full working ranches for sale in East Texas, including horse ranches and cattle ranches, and specialty ranches for goats, sheep and ostriches. Other investment potential for ranch land here includes use of the land as grazing land, access to grazing land, water development and land for storage or use.

Unlike West Texas, which is largely dry and desert-like, East Texas is a humid, sub-tropical region and much of the ranch land for sale here is heavily forested with piney woods. A great deal of land has been cultivated for wood production and logging, which also offers strong investment potential.

Many investors see the same potential here that existed in Florida land a couple of decades ago. Those who invested in remote Florida land in the 1960s and 1970s have seen their land values increase enormously as land developers increased the desirability of owning vacation homes and resorts in Florida. East Texas is poised on the same sort of edge, with millions of acres of beautiful ranches for sale, ready and waiting for the next boom of development to increase its value.

Whether you’re looking for ranch land for sale, for personal use as a primary home, a vacation retreat, or for its investment potential. You’ll find prices that are affordable and it’s possible to buy large parcels of ranch land for less than it costs to buy a house on a single acre in many urban centers. Why pass up one of the most beautiful and desirable investment opportunities available today? Take a look at all that East Texas ranch land has to offer.

Texas

Moving to San Antonio Texas

If You Are Thinking About Moving-Think About San Antonio, Texas

Many of you historians know that the Battle of the Alamo took place in Texas in 1836, and eventually the city of San Antonio would grow to encompass the real estate of this infamous mission. This was where 189 defenders held the old mission against some 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. And the cry, “Remember the Alamo” became the cry that motivated the Texas Revolution against Mexico. People still find this a moving story of patriotism.

It is clearly San Antonio’s most well-known landmark, and is featured in its flag and seal. It is also incorporated into the city’s nickname, which is, “Alamo City.” As of 2007, the Alamo is considered a shrine and now houses a museum. It is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The real estate surrounding the museum is filled with many hotels and tourist attractions.

San Antonio was named for a Portuguese saint, Saint Anthony of Padua. In the beginning, the American Indians lived along the San Antonio River in the San Pedro Springs area. In 1691, a group of Spanish explorers came upon the river on June 13, the feast day of St. Anthony, thus the name San Antonio. The Spanish soon made this real estate a relocation destination for its Spanish pioneers.

San Antonio is a very popular tourist destination. Besides the Alamo, you will also find the famous River Walk. It meanders through the downtown area and its real estate is lined with numerous shops, bars, restaurants, as well as the Arneson River Theater. The River Walk is transformed into an impressive festival of lights during the Christmas and New Year holiday. Since the 1950s and until the present, tourists and locals have strolled along this amazing river on the River Walk and enjoyed San Antonio’s history, beauty, real estate and pride. So, if you think you’ll enjoy strolling along the River Walk, then you should consider buying real estate and moving to San Antonio.

The downtown real estate also features HemisFair Park, the Spanish Governor’s Palace and the historic Menger Hotel. On the northern side of the Alamo complex, beside the Emily Morgan Hotel, is the San Antonio Cavalry Museum. So, if you enjoy terrific museums and hotels then San Antonio’s museums and hotels are terrific reasons to consider buying real estate and relocating to San Antonio.

Other places of interest in this real estate market include the following: the San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Park, the missions of the San Antonio, Missions National Historical Park, the Witte Museum, SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Splashtown San Antonio. So, if you enjoy terrific family attractions then San Antonio’s many family attractions will be terrific reasons to consider buying real estate and moving to this great relocation.

Beyond taking in the sights and sounds of San Antonio real estate, tourists can sample some of its famous Tex-Mex cuisine at its many fine restaurants. San Antonio is the home of authentic Tex-Mex cuisine. Mexican restaurants are abundant in all parts of town. So, if you enjoy terrific food then San Antonio’s cuisine will be another terrific reason to consider buying real estate and moving to San Antonio as your relocation.

San Antonio Real Estate Districts

Downtown San Antonio is home to many real estate districts including the following: the Alamo District, the Alamodome District, the Central Business District, the Convention Center District, the Historic Civic District, the Houston Street District, the King William Historic District, and the University District. With so many neighborhoods to choose from, it’s clear you should consider buying real estate or relocating to the community.

San Antonio is the county seat of Bexar County, which covers more than 400 square miles on the northern edge of the South Texas. Like many municipalities in the American Southwest, San Antonio has experienced a steady population growth. Many people are moving here or making San Antonio real estate their new home.

However, because involuntary annexation is a controversial issue in the parts of unincorporated Bexar County. Many residents are now attracted to the outlying real estate because of lower taxes and affordable real estate values. So, if you are moving here or relocating, you may find real estate in parts of Bexar County that will soon be to your liking.

Climate

San Antonio’s weather can be dry or humid depending on the prevailing winds. It can be hot in the summer, mild to cool in the winter, and comfortably warm and rainy in the spring and fall. So, if you enjoy terrific weather, then San Antonio’s climate will be just one more terrific reason to consider relocation to the city.

Economy

The median income for a household in the city is $36,214, and the median income for a family is $53,100. This makes San Antonio’s economy a wonderful reason to consider moving to this great relocation.

Located northwest of the city is the South Texas Medical Center. The center is the hub of a $14 billion biomedical industry. Also of interest, if you are moving to or finding relocation in San Antonio, is that San Antonio is the only city in the United States hosting three Level I Trauma Centers within the city limits. When considering buying real estate and moving during relocation, excellent medical facilities are a real plus.

The military is also big in the San Antonio area. For example, Fort Sam Houston on the city’s northeast side, hosts Brooke Army Medical Center, the U.S. Army ‘s medical command and training facility and Lackland Air Force Base. Randolph Air Force Base is on the far northeastern outskirts of the city, and is the headquarters of the Air Education and Training Command. San Antonio is also the headquarters for Air Force personnel management and it hosts pilot training. If you are in the military, you might be soon moving here or find yourself with relocation orders. The defense industry in San Antonio employs over 89,000 and provides a $5.2 billion impact to the city’s economy. This makes a strong economy and desirable destination to consider for relocation.

San Antonio’s corporate profile also includes the following companies: AT&T, Clear Channel Communications, Frost National Bank, USAA, Valero Energy Corp, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, NuStar Energy, and Zachry Construction, which are all headquartered in the city.

Companies not headquartered in San Antonio, but have a strong presence in the city include Bank of America, Caremark Rx Inc., The Capital Group Companies, Citibank, Infix, QVC, NSA, Wachovia Bank, Washington Mutual, West Corporation, Clarke American, Lowe’s, and Microsoft. Strong economy is a beneficial reason to consider moving your business for a lucrative relocation.

Sports

One of the city’s top-level professional sports team is the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. The Spurs have been playing in San Antonio since 1973 and have won three NBA Championships. The AT&T Center is home to the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League and the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA. San Antonio also has a rugby team, the Alamo City Rugby Football Club. It is a minor team in third division league of the Texas Rugby Union. So, if you enjoy terrific sports than the San Antonio’s sports teams would be a terrific reason to consider buying real estate and moving to this great relocation.

Colleges, universities, and research institutes

San Antonio hosts over 100,000 students across its 31 higher education facilities that include some of the following: Trinity University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio College, St. Philip’s College, St. Mary’s University and School of Law, Texas A&M University, and The University of Texas at San Antonio. San Antonio has many higher educational institutions for you to choose from if you are planning on moving here or relocating your family.

Many public schools exist in San Antonio and Bexar County. They are served by fifteen separate independent school districts. In addition, San Antonio has many private schools for you to choose from. Diverse education is a considerable reason to make San Antonio your new home when choosing an area of relocation.

Transportation

The San Antonio International Airport is located in north central San Antonio, approximately eight miles from downtown. It has two terminals and is served by 11 airlines that serve 28 destinations including two in Mexico. An extensive bus and trolley system is provided by the city’s metropolitan transit system. It is VIA Metropolitan Transit. VIA offers 78 regular bus routes and four trolley routes, including express routes from downtown to the theme parks. Additional transportation includes Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, which provides service to San Antonio at San Antonio Amtrak Station.

Texas

Great Hiking Trails in North Texas: Look Just North to Beavers Bend Resort Park

If you are looking for great hiking trails in North Texas, consider Beavers Bend Resort Park in southeastern Oklahoma. It is just 3 hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth area (the Metroplex) by car. Beavers Bend Resort Park includes Beavers Bend State Park which offers free admission. The resort offers serious nature lovers the chance to hike along ridge tops, over creek bottoms, through tall stands of timber, and into areas so remote one can almost experience what early-day explorers must have felt upon seeing the area for the first time, at its pristine best.

McCurtain County features some of the most beautiful territory in the country. The Ouachita Mountains rise and fall dramatically along the lower reaches of the Oklahoma-Arkansas line, which is densely covered with one of the oldest short-leaf pine forests in the world, as well as heavy populations of hickory and oak. Unlike most American mountain ranges, the mountains run east and west, not north and south. Cursing through those rugged ranges are several lakes and rivers, the Little, Mountain Fork, Upper Kiamichi, Poteau and Broken Bow.

The area was named by LIFE magazine as one of the “100 Places To Visit in Your Lifetime” and Dallas Observers voted McCurtain County the “Best Getaway from Dallas.”

You can pick up trail maps at the park’s nature center. There are seven trails you have to choose from, one for every skill level – from serious stroller to avid trekker.

Trail #1: Take-it-easy route. The South Park trail. 1 mile. For those who want to stay on level ground. Watch eagles fly overhead and wildlife scatter as you stroll by.

Trail #2: The Easy-Does-It Hike. The Junction with South Park. 1 mile. Also a good choice for those who want a less intensive hike and want to get “back to nature” but just a little while.

Trail #3: Beyond Beginner. Beaver Creek Crossing. 1. 5 miles. A bit more challenging. Several steep climbs.

Trail #4: Beyond beginner but not intermediate. Deer Cross – Cedar Bluff. About 2 miles. Some climbs, but not extremely steep.

Trail #5: Walk on the wild side. Cedar Bluff – Beaver Lodge Trail. 6 miles. Lots of steep grades. Designed for the more serious hiker.

Trail #6: Born to hike. Skyline. 6 miles. Steep terrain. Experienced hikers only. If you don’t have time to take the longest route (see below), the Skyline is the next best option. More challenging to some than the Cedar Bluff, nevertheless, you’ll need to be able to withstand elevation hiking. But the views you’ll see will be well worth the climb.

Trail #7: The extreme challenge. The David Boren Hiking Trail, named after the U.S. senator and former governor of Oklahoma. The David Boren Trail offers 16 miles of hiking Trails with 4 miles of multi-purpose ( mountain bike) trails that wander along ridge tops and over creek bottoms. The 12 mile Boren hiking trail runs from south to north. Starts at the low-water dam at the south end of Beavers Bend and then connects with the Beaver Lodge Nature Trail, full of steep grades. The trail is well defined and is a narrow, one-person trail – which means no bicyclists to watch out for.

Where do you stay if you travel to the Beavers Bend Resort Park? Glad you asked! The park is home to the forty-room Lakeview Lodge, and there are forty-seven different Beavers Bend cabins. Is camping more your style? The park also offers RV and tent camping. In McCurtain County, your weekend hiking getaway can include almost any kind of lodging – from a rustic cottage to elegantly-appointed log cabins nestled in the towering pines to a unique bed & breakfasts, modern motels and luxury resorts.

So, if you are looking for great hiking trails in North Texas – either for yourself or to accompany your family or that special someone – the Beavers Bend Resort Park is a great option. With many trails to choose for everyone from beginners to seasoned hikers, this is a great option that is only 3 hours away from the Metroplex by car.

Texas

McCurtain County Announces ‘Cozy Fireplace’ Discounted Winter Rates for North Texas Residents

McCurtain County Announces ‘Cozy Fireplace’ Discounted Winter Rates for North Texas Residents
Tourism is booming in Southeast Oklahoma, primarily due to North Texans. To say thank you and welcome back, most McCurtain County lodging operators have lowered their winter rates up to 25%. *

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