Texas Trotter

Are you ready for some delicious smokey goodness?  That’s right, I’m talking barbecue. Ribs, smoked ham, brisket--all the finger-licking treasures you’d come to expect from living in the glorious state of Texas. Well for Austin residents, the time has come to loosen your belts and get ready for a dining experience you won’t want to miss!  Running from May 20th through May 22nd, Hot Luck is a one-of-a-kind, palate-pleasing event that is sure to get your mouth watering! With plenty of delicious food and some great live music, guests can experience the thrills of a truly great meal with friends and family.  Located at Franklin Barbecue, Hot Luck features top chefs within the area here to provide some red-hot munchies and live special events throughout the weekend. It’s an absolutely perfect way to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, complete with a special dining experience you’ll definitely never forget. Austin is home to some of the best food locations in the state. Texas is k...

Beware of bats! Just kidding. This place is actually really something special if you live in the San Antonio area. Discovered in 1960 by four college students and running across 60 ft. of natural limestone, Natural Bridge Caverns is the perfect place to visit for anyone looking for a level of fun and adventure.  Complete with special lighting and comfortable temperatures, this premier natural attraction leads guests through amazing caverns complete with some truly awe-inspiring formations. Take a tour through hidden passages or trek through an underground experience you’ll never forget! I have very fond memories of visiting the caverns with my old college Geology group. I remember seeing some extremely spectacular sightings deep down below in the caves. And don’t worry--it’s all perfectly safe with special rules set in place to make sure everyone has a great time. If you’re a bit claustrophobic, no worries. There’s a surprising level of space, as well as clean air, in the caverns t...

There’s a great honor that comes with being a native Texan. Some say that we’re naturally proud due to our warm climate and a steady supply of crops and livestock. And while that may indeed be true, we have one staple of pride that no other state in the US has--the Alamo. I’ve held off on talking about the Alamo for a while. But mostly because I wanted to whet your tastebuds if you’re not as familiar with the place. To make things simple, the Alamo is a BIG deal for Texans. It was the place where brave men fought and died for Texas’ freedom from Mexico. And though the Alamo ultimately ended in death instead of victory, it remains a pinnacle landmark in Texas’ proud history. If you’re living in San Antonio, I would pretty much say that it is your civic duty to visit the Alamo at least once. Not only will you get to learn about a major cornerstone of Texas history, but you’ll also get to immerse yourself deeper into the scope of San Antonio’s rich climate and culture. And while that does...

Summer is coming, which means things are about to get pretty scorching out there in the near future. If you’re an Austin resident or even just a Texas resident, you know what I’m talking about. Texas summers can be absolutely sweltering , even in the shade.  So why not beat the heat? If you’re living near the Austin area, chances are you’ve probably heard of Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures. This excellent aquatic getaway is a private island location and a revolutionary floating water park. The water park includes resort-style amenities, beachside hotspots, hammocks, saddle floats, games, food trucks, and more!  If you’re someone sick of the same old urban landscape and just want to find a relaxing place to stay cool, this place is absolutely PERFECT for a weekend out with friends and family. There’s even a bar where you can purchase frozen drinks at your leisure. Sounds to me like a real party in the making. And if you’re a family with kiddos, there will be plenty of amazing f...

Bow-WOW! Now here’s a unique Easter celebration I can really get behind! Sit, stay, and wag your tails at the Houston Humane Society’s Yappy Easter Event! This Easter, the Houston Humane Society is providing guests with a truly EGG-cellent opportunity to enjoy some quality time with furry friends at their giant fenced-in dog park and pavilion. The real charm of this event will come from its series of dog-friendly games, an adult Easter egg hunt, human games, and a rich opportunity to meet and talk with like-minded dog lovers in the Houston region.  Plus, when you’re feeling hungry, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy some delicious free churros from Planet Churros, Shake Shack custard, and special prizes from the Burger Joint. And if you’re in the mood for drinks, there will also be tasty brews from Texas Leaguer Brewing and bartending services from Powe’s Passion.  And to top it all off, there will also be some wonderful Easter-themed photo opportunities as well f...

Are you looking for adventure, good food, and the time of your life? If so, look no further! Dallas’ Medieval Times is the absolute best place to be for high-quality entertainment!  The gist is this--you get to eat with your hands, sit in an indoor arena, and watch a series of exciting jousting and knight-themed events, complete with your own color-coded knight to root for! Guests can also purchase quality medieval-themed merchandise at the indoor gift shop as well, allowing them the chance to enjoy the full medieval experience with a king-sized adventure waiting at their fingertips. And yes, you heard me correctly earlier. You eat with your hands. There were no utensils during medieval times, hence there are no utensils AT Medieval Times. But the good news is that the food is always extremely tasty with mouth-watering tomato-bisque soup, roasted chicken, a baked potato, garlic bread, and more! Trust me when I say that it’s all delicious and you’ll have a ball watching the jousting...

Every day is a beautiful day in Austin!  One of Austin’s greatest perks is that it is more than often full of excellent sunny weather. And what could be better than spending some quality time with family and friends while enjoying a relaxing day flying a kite out on the green? The ABC Kity Fest is one of Austin’s most popular traditions. In 2021, it is happily celebrating its 92nd year, complete with a city-wide celebration of Austin’s parks in partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation. Austin residents are encouraged to go enjoy some fresh air outside and fly a kite at their neighborhood park, taking special Covid-19 safety precautions with proper face coverings and maintaining safe social distancing from others as well.  Those who are participating in kite-flying are encouraged to share photos and videos of their experience with the ABC Kite Fest by tagging them on Instagram and Facebook. Some of the best parks to be during the festival are Bartholomew District Park, Dick...

Austin always has something going on when it comes to good eating! And on Saturday, March 6th, Austin residents can now enjoy some delicious food, tasty brews, and awesome music at the Ranger Cattle Chili Fest!  So what’s the sitch? The Ranger Cattle Chili Fest is a culmination of a ton of incredible things to see, do, and, most importantly, eat ! There will be: A chili tasting from Austin’s top chefs Live music Free cocktails from Jim Beam Free beer from Independence Brewery Cow petting and feeding Dog-friendly accommodations Goat roping And more! Those of you with families will find that there will be plenty of activities for the little ones to enjoy and you can even bring man’s best friend along for the ride! And, of course, who could forget getting the chance to taste some truly delicious chili and alcohol? It really adds the full package of satisfying your cravings for adventure as well as your palate! Plus, if you’re an apartment resident living on a budget at some of my favo...

If you’re someone with an artistic eye and an active imagination, chances are you’ve probably heard of the works of Vincent Van Gogh. Just about everyone has seen the famous Starry Night piece, whether it was through pop culture or school. And even if you’re unfamiliar with his works, Van Gogh’s brilliant paintings are truly a sight to behold, something you will not want to miss in your lifetime.  With that said, Houstonians now have the opportunity to experience Van Gogh’s paintings in their full glory! A secret location in Houston (to be announced soon!) is featuring a brand new exhibit showcasing the beautiful brilliance of Van Gogh’s world, complete with a 360-degree digital spectacle blazing across the exhibit walls for guests to enjoy.  This stunning display features images from several dozen projectors and hyper-realistic VR headsets to transform the complete viewing experience into something truly magical. Guests will be dazzled as Van Gogh’s art soars all around the r...

I’m not exactly a thrill-seeker when it comes to extreme sports or activities. I can safely tell you that I will probably never jump out of a plane when it comes to skydiving. With that said, however, I can definitely see myself trying out something like this great indoor opportunity!  Austin always delivers when it comes to exciting events and great places to visit! And now guests will get the chance to experience the heart-pounding adrenaline rush of skydiving while staying indoors at iFly Austin . You’ll be able to learn how to safely float in a vertical wind tunnel and take on two big indoor flights! Guests can learn all about the skydiving process with one-on-one guidance from an accredited flight instructor and even take home a personalized flight certificate!  And the best part is that no prior skydiving experience is required as you free-fall your way through some exciting indoor thrills. Once you book your appointment, you’ll find that you won’t regret it! Though skyd...

Do you hear that rumbling sound? I believe that would be my stomach upon reading this exciting news!  Learning about new restaurant and eatery openings taking place across Houston is something I never get tired of! It’s great to have the chance to learn about the best new places to eat in the area. And honestly, who doesn’t love tasty fried chicken and chicken sandwiches?  On February 26th and February 27th at 11:00 am, Clutch City Cluckers will be presenting their grand opening weekend, providing Houston with a tantalizing array of delicious chicken options for everyone to enjoy! Key menu items include chicken tenders, cheesy fries, and of course, mouth-watering chicken sandwiches to explode your taste buds! And, best of all, they’ll also be giving away some sweet prizes including a Playstation 5, two Nintendo Switch devices, gift cards, and more! Guests will be encouraged to keep their receipts as the restaurant will be going live on Instagram on February 28th to announce w...

  Is there truly anything more delicious than chocolate?  The answer, obviously, is a resounding NO. There isn’t and I will not settle for anything else! And I know many of you feel the same. Well, there’s GREAT news! For residents in San Antonio, you now have a big reason to celebrate as the Chocoholic Frolic 5k is scheduled to share some sweet chocolatey goodness for participants to enjoy!  Starting and finishing at River City Community Church, 3809, 16765 Lookout Road , the Chocoholic Frolic is a chip-timed race that rewards all participants with chocolate at the finish line. You can run, jog, or walk your way through the course, gaining some healthy fresh air and exercise along with some tasty treats! It’s a great way to help keep your body in shape while also getting the chance to indulge in delicious snacks. A win-win in my book if you ask me!  San Antonio always has something fun going on. Even following this terrible Texas freeze, it still manages to shine th...

After a week of hardship, cold, and unprecedented weather conditions, we have finally made it out to see the sun once more!  Houston has faced its fair share of weather nightmares in the past. But when it came to this new and terrible 2021 freeze, we faced many major challenges. It was certainly a force to be reckoned with and we can all hope that none of us ever have to experience it ever again. I know I certainly didn’t enjoy it--no power, water, or internet was definitely far from fun or relaxing. And with so many Houston residents going through all that and worse, I have nothing but respect and admiration for those who managed to face the harshness of the winter conditions with courage and fortitude. Make no mistake, every single Texan who experienced this great freeze is a hero in my eyes and I sincerely hope that we’re all able to enjoy some warm temperatures and safe comforts in the days ahead. For Houston apartment residents, I’ve been following their stories very closely t...

With Valentine’s Day steadily approaching this Sunday, it’s never too early to plan out an ideal outing.  When it comes to Valentine’s Day, one might associate the holiday with many things, chocolate being one of them. If you’re a resident living in Dallas, there’s a great opportunity to enjoy some tasty chocolate along with some excellent wine!  Dallas by Chocolate is presenting The Galentine’s Experience, starting with a wine tasting at Urban Vines Wine Bistro near White Rock Lake. Guests will board a motorcoach to enjoy their chocolate complete with a champagne toast. There will also be the opportunity to move around town to photo ops and receive an additional chocolate surprise. You can also BYOB in case you’re looking to add some additional spice to your outing. The Residence at Lake Highlands is the perfect apartment residence in terms of getting to the event with little hassle. This Karya-owned property features high-quality amenities, affordable pricing, and a pet-frie...