by Liebadmin on 26 July 2018
Berkel en Rodenrijs, July 26, 2019: A road trip is the best way to get to know Texas’ diversity. Besides car and motorbike there are countless other possibilities to get from A to B and to get to know the country and its people. Whether high above the clouds or firmly in the saddle, with the historic steam locomotive or by bike: travellers can develop a special feeling for the second largest state of the USA with unconventional means of transport and enjoy Texas’ untouched scenic beauty in an intensive way.
Like on clouds: the oldest aircraft in the world still conveys a feeling of freedom and adventure. The area around Longview is – as the name suggests – the hot-air balloon capital of Texas. Wonderful views of the sparkling waters of Lake Cherokee, dense pine forests, meadows with freshly cut hay or the famous longhorns leave lasting impressions from a bird’s eye view. A special highlight is the “Great Texas Balloon Race”, which will take place this year from July 27 to 29, with numerous splashes of colour gliding across the sky. At the popular “Evening Balloon Glow”, the 80 or so pilots light their balloons in front of the Texas starry sky and create a unique atmosphere.
A wealth of sensory perceptions awaits in Piney Woods in the east of the state, where different ecosystems and wildlife meet. Exploring this region with a steam locomotive from the 1920s while listening to historical stories takes Rei-sende into the nostalgic atmosphere of a train journey 100 years ago. A stop is particularly worthwhile in Palestine, where there are more buildings in the National Register of Historic Places than in almost any other city in Texas, while in Jacksonville majestic pines and blue lakes provide a deep tranquility.
The region around Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the USA, served as a winter refuge for the Comanche Indians. Later settlers used their paths and finally in the 1920s the legendary Route 66 was built along the old Indian paths – which marked exactly the centre here. The ranch of Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West is located in the middle of the last free home of the Comanche Indians and only 15 kilometres from Route 66. Here, visitors from beginners to professionals can swing into the saddle and discover the canyon and Route 66 on horseback. Especially romantic are the sunset rides, especially spectacular are the “Cattle Roundup Vacations”, where riders become real cowboys on several days.
Only the bike makes this area “tangible” in the truest sense of the word: fields full of wild flowers, streams through fragrant cypress forests and traditional wineries line the paths in the Hill Country region. A good starting point for cycling tours is the former German emigrant town of Fredericksburg, picturesquely situated in the heart of Texas surrounded by vineyards. The Luckenbach Loop Alternate, a 50 km long cycle route, can be mastered in a day tour. A stop is also made here in the four-soul village of Luckenbach, which becomes an open-air stage for country musicians every evening – come and join in jamming, humming and singing! In the evening a glass of Texan wine under one of the many oak trees – and the world is fine.
Coyotes and bears, spectacular landscapes and untouched nature – that is West Texas. Five canyons can be found in Big Bend National Park, and these can be admired from the Rio Grande, as well as the park’s fauna: red-eared turtles sunning themselves on rocks and tree trunks, blue herons and green kingfishers flying along the river, beavers can be heard here and there. Whether by kayak, canoe or rafting: guided tours from two hours to ten days are offered on the Rio Grande. Depending on the section, the river offers ideal conditions for beginners and advanced skiers: it runs through gorges some 450 meters deep, others through wide, open stretches with views of the surrounding plateaus and mountains of the USA and Mexico.
© Copyright: Travel Texas
Contactdetails:
Lieb Management
Nicole Conrad
Toos Blomstraat 10
2652GG Berkel en Rodenrijs
Telefoon: +31 (0) 10 223 09 90
E-mail: nicole@lieb-management.nl