Local, Near and Far: Our journey of exploring the world.

Category: Adventures (Page 1 of 4)

Mackinac Island: Simpler Times & Family Fun

Have you ever imagined a place where life was a little more simple? An escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, the traffic, the noise? A place where you can wander through miles of beautiful walking trails and stroll pristine beaches? Well, we found it:  Mackinac Island, Michigan!

Squeezed between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, Mackinac Island is a step back in time. There are no cars on the Island (save for a few emergency vehicles). Your travel choices include walking, bike or horse. Within a few minutes of stepping out of your hotel room, you are walking on the beach, or several beautiful trails meandering through the woods. But wait, there’s more!

Here is a rundown of some of the things we loved the most about Mackinac Island.

Mackinaw Bridge at Sunset

Mackinaw Bridge at Sunset

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Grand Rapids: Outdoor Adventures in Beer City

For the last couple of years, my travels have predominantly taken me international – which is great, don’t get me wrong. However, I always feel a bit guilty missing out on locations in the States. I recently had the opportunity to visit Grand Rapids, Michigan – a city and a state I had never visited. Simply put, I loved this trip. The only possible downside was that the trip was too short. Cliche I know, but really, I could definitely imagine spending weeks in Michigan and still only scratching the surface of fun things to experience.

Grand Rapids, the second largest city in Michigan and nicknamed “Beer City,” quickly won over my heart. And not just because of the beer; there are endless things to do in Grand Rapids to suit all tastes. What might one do in Grand Rapids? I’m glad you asked!

The Great Outdoors

One of the most pleasant surprises of visiting Grand Rapids was the number of outdoor activities. Here are a few:

Rosy Mounds Natural Area overlooking Lake Michigan

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Wyndham Austin: A Texan’s Welcome to Austin

There is a reason Austin has been named the No.1 city to live by US News and World Report for two years in a row.  Actually there are many reasons!  So, if you can’t live here, please come visit us a fast as you can.  And if you are looking for a place to take in all the excitement of Austin, the Wyndham Austin is a perfect place to start!

Wyndham Austin Owner's Page Article, Photo #3 - Our Son Enjoying the View

Our Son Enjoying the View of Austin from our Room

Staying at the Wyndham Austin

The Wyndham Austin is a spectacular way to be introduced to this wonderful city, or to welcome you back.  Located in downtown, everything is easily accessible with a staff that is professional and helpful.  The suites are thoughtfully designed to make you feel comfortable and relaxed as soon as you walk in. 

Wyndham Austin Owner's Page Article, Photo #4 - Rooftop Infinity Pool

Rooftop Infinity Pool complete with views of Austin

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New Addition to From Texas to Beyond

From Texas to Beyond is growing! Rebekah and I are proud to introduce our little bundle of joy, Ephraim! After 50 hours of labor, he arrived on December 6th weighing 7 pounds and 3 ounces, and measured 20 inches long. Rebekah and I are so excited for our family’s new addition. We hope he will be a great travel blogger some day!

New Addition - Introducing Ephraim - Ephraim Shortly After Birth

Ephraim Shortly After Birth

Mom and son are now resting and recovering at home. This is a very exciting and exhausting time in our lives.

New Addition - Introducing Ephraim - Ephraim and Rebekah Going Home

Ephraim and Rebekah Going Home

During the next few weeks, our posting will be limited, as we take care of little Ephraim and adjust to being a family of 3. We have a few guest posts lined up, including the conclusion of John’s miniseries recounting his journeys to Vienna, Kosovo, and Albania.

Once life settles down a bit (if that is possible), Rebekah and I look forward to concluding our series on Ljubljana and sharing more of our trip through Slovenia and Croatia.

We would like to THANK YOU for all of your continued support!

New Addition - Introducing Ephraim - Ephraim's Second Day Home

Ephraim’s Second Day Home

Talk to you soon…

David

Why You Should Visit Kosovo: Day Trips from Prishtina

Guest Blogger and my good friend John Seale bring us a four part series on his recent journeys, beginning with a brief layover in Vienna, a look at Kosovo’s capital city, and continues today with day trips from Prishtina into the countryside of Kosovo. John is one of my frequent travel partners, from across Texas to the other side of the world (2 trips to Kenya). From Texas to Beyond is excited to bring you his unique perspectives on travel, along with some fascinating locations in Kosovo and Albania.

Prishtina is where you will most likely begin your vacation in Kosovo, but it isn’t where your trip should end. Add some day trips from Prishtina to your itinerary! The rest of the country has plenty to see and do, perhaps even more than the capital city. While Prishtina is a very cosmopolitan city, where the culturally Muslim population looks and behaves much like the rest of Europe, as you get out to the smaller cities you’ll find great diversity.

Kosovo has beautiful sights and wonderful culture. While getting around to these destinations can be challenging (see the previous post), if you make these journeys, you will be rewarded handsomely.

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