Rustic type location near Katy?

[Suzanne]

We recently moved to the Katy area and I am looking for a rustic type place. Preferably something like a barn, open fields, something to that sort. And something that's not far from Katy!! Thanks!

[venchka]

You're kidding right? Go west. Search this forum for a road trip a few weeks ago wherein some of us went as far as Luling. Others found Rustic just the other side of Sealy. Lots of painted churches out that way.

[Suzanne]

No I'm not kididng. I moved here from Indiana and have no clue where anything is... even the places you just said. Any other specific directions you could give me so I can go check it out? Thanks!

[venchka]

GOOGLE

Sorry for the sarcasim. I don't think of Katy and rustic. I miss places like Brown County, Indiana.

In no particular geographic order.............

Montgomery, TX and Montgomery County
Anderson and Bedias, TX and Grimes County
Kleb Woods Park, Harris County
FM 529 west of Fry Road to Belville, TX
Columbus, TX
Frelsburg & New Ulm, Fayetteville, Industry, Monument Hill S.P., Washington-on-the-Brazos, etc.
Hwy 90 & 90A west from Katy, Eagle Lake, El Campo, etc.
Katy-Hockley Road north from Katy to US 290.

Once you get past Brookshire going west, you're out of Houston Urban Sprawl. stay off of I-10 and keep your eyes open. There is a lot of history & rustic out there.

Several od us wander around west of Houston looking for interesting locations. You may want to tag along sometime. At least one member of our Merry Band uses digital equipment. Our other digital person is between cameras at the moment.

Good luck.

[Suzanne]

It's OK, thanks for the recommendations. I actually just moved from Indiana. Indianapolis area... so I know what you mean. Let me know if you go out again looking for places, I would love to go. I'm not on here too much, but if you send me a message I will get it through my email. That's very nice of you, thanks!

[venchka]

I spent time in Indianapolis courtesy of the US Army.

A good Texas map will help you a lot. I'll give you a shout the next time we're going out in the country.

[kenw]

Welcome aboard, Suzanne. There are ton of places as Wayne mentioned. One of my favorites, moreso once the bluebonnets come in the spring, is Old Bayor Park at Independence. It is just past Brenham, mapquest/google will find it for you. Very photogenic. An ancient building, some wood-rail fences, ancient oaks and even some very tall columns left from the original buildings (the predecessor to Baylor Univ, now in Waco).

While you are in that area, realize that you are in the Birthplace of The Republic of Texas, just up the road from Independence is Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park where it all started. Not too much truly rustic there, but the area is chock-full of history and photogenic subjects....as long as you like history and can tolerate a lot of Native Texas pride....here's an old thread that has a lot of stuff:
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...t=Independence

There are books along the lines of "Day Trips" for the SE Texas area, find a few and enjoy the hunt. Barnes & Noble has more than a few, I'm sure the online folks have even more titles to choose.

Katy is pretty built up now, it used to be "way out there" but no more! There is a restored train depot and caboose in Katy along 90 near Pin Oak Rd.

[venchka]

Ken touched on something I was thinking.....

If we tell you where to go it won't be as good to you as finding something on your own. The sense of exploring and finding things is very cool.

So, we'll point you in the general direction. Find your cool places all by yourself. Then share with us, please?

[dwilliams35]

One thing about it you may not know coming in from out of state: private property in Texas means private property...I'm not sure just what the rules are in Indiana, but I know Texas has a rep for the "strictness" of the trespassing laws in relation to a lot of other states, and very, very little rural property in Texas isn't private... It normally doesn't come into play that much in an urban or suburban environment, but one you get out into the country, you can't just waltz out into somebody's pasture because they've got a cool barn out there to shoot... Just keep that in mind...

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by dwilliams35

One thing about it you may not know coming in from out of state: private property in Texas means private property...I'm not sure just what the rules are in Indiana, but I know Texas has a rep for the "strictness" of the trespassing laws in relation to a lot of other states, and very, very little rural property in Texas isn't private... It normally doesn't come into play that much in an urban or suburban environment, but one you get out into the country, you can't just waltz out into somebody's pasture because they've got a cool barn out there to shoot... Just keep that in mind...

I'm perplexed by idealistic mindset of some photographers that the location they desire will just be there for them, as if there's a "Location Fairy".

It's much wiser to find and pre-check locations, and then plan shoots around them.

[venchka]

Exploring and finding something way cool all by yourself is very rewarding.

Alas, be careful of the trespassing thing. Oh, and come spring, the secret place you found may be full of bluebonnets and you may have it all to yourself.

Good luck!

[lisalbrooks]

Ok, I want to be in the group that goes out looking around taking pics of cool places.

[darktiger]

me too, me too...

[LEO III]

And before you go spending a bunch of money at Barnes & Noble, check out the library. Or if you're like me and have to have your own, got to Half Price Books. There are several stores around town. The two closest to Katy are at Westheimer and Kirkwood and at FM 529 and Highway 6. Just look in the travel section under Texas, and you'll find plenty of stuff. They have a bunch of the same books as B&N has, but just maybe earlier editions. Last time I checked, the neat places hadn't moved very far. Be careful, though. You might end up supporting the whole company, like I am.