Vacation Suggestions

[Cajungaltx]

We are getting into the countdown of a year long deployment - and I decided that I'd like my husband and I to go away for a weekend - before he leaves.

We will be trying to do a Friday-Sunday/Mon type trip - neither of us have passports, so out of the country isn't an option. We both enjoy snorkeling/scuba diving... but it'd probably be fun just to go someplace and sleep in... read... relax... go out to eat... that kind of thing. Slow down a bit...

it HAS to be away from the computers - otherwise he'll play WoW...and I'll edit photos... *grin*

Anyone got a beach house somewhere that they rent out?

So for a quick weekend get away - what would you do... where would you go?

[L Stegall]

My friend used to have a lovely beach house in Galveston....but it's long gone - out to sea. Not even the stilts from the foundation remained. My sister has a great condo in Vail, which, while not on the beach, is a great, cool summer getaway (hiking, biking, fresh mountain air and great restaurants) and they rent it out when they aren't there. Depending on when you want it, it might be available. I can send you a link if you have any interest. If you want beach, I love the panhandle of Florida - Seaside in particular. It's a long drive, but you can fly into Ft. Walton Beach from Houston. Don't know anyone who owns a house or condo there, though.

[Jake]

We're renting a condo on the beach in Destin, Florida this summer. Y'all might check that out.

[kenw]

Leakey ("lay-kee"), Tx. On the Frio River N of Uvalde. Rent a riverfront house or a cabin. Best week vacation we've had (so far...). No cell coverage, no WWW (depending on the particular place you get).

google/bing: Neal's cabins in Leakey, TX or Concan, Texas

[L Stegall]

Jakestir - love that Destin area. If you haven't before, drive the short distance and check out Seaside as well. Once we discovered it (years ago), we returned several times. It's a great place to take young kids.

Ken - TX Hill Country is a great, relaxing idea! Easy, low-stress long weekend trip for sure.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by L Stegall

Jakestir - love that Destin area. If you haven't before, drive the short distance and check out Seaside as well. Once we discovered it (years ago), we returned several times. It's a great place to take young kids.

.....

It's our fist time out there, it's actually Blue Mountain beach. So the condo is only 4 miles west of Seaside. I'll be sure to go over and check it out!

[L Stegall]

I don't know Blue Mountain Beach, but what I always liked about Seaside was that once you were there and parked your car, you didn't need it at all (in fact, other than coming and going, cars are really discouraged). The houses are all charming and the town is just full of energy and fun all summer. People sitting on porches, cooking out, riding bikes on the bricked streets, walking, playing, lots of stuff for kids at night (talent shows, music, etc.). The Truman Show was filmed in Seaside if you ever saw it. Last time we stayed, we stayed in the cottage Laura Linney stayed in while filming it. Her note to the owners was framed in their kitchen.

For an adult getaway, the Honeymoon cottages, right on the beach are really romantic. I think they call them something else now, though.

[johnastovall]

Since you dive why not dive Texas only coral reed on the Flower Garden Bank?

Reef information

NOAA page on them

One Dive boat

[kamari]

Too bad you guys don't have passports. Packages to Cancun are lower than GM's pink-sheet stock. I'm booking a 5-night trip for 2 for a grand total of $820.

I absolutely love going down to the Keys in FL. Very relaxing, very low populations, nice snorkeling & scuba locations.

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by kamari

Too bad you guys don't have passports. Packages to Cancun are lower than GM's pink-sheet stock. I'm booking a 5-night trip for 2 for a grand total of $820.

I think we're headed down there sometime this summer as well. Prices are pretty low, although I haven't found that deal yet.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by L Stegall

My friend used to have a lovely beach house in Galveston....but it's long gone - out to sea. Not even the stilts from the foundation remained. My sister has a great condo in Vail, which, while not on the beach, is a great, cool summer getaway (hiking, biking, fresh mountain air and great restaurants) and they rent it out when they aren't there. Depending on when you want it, it might be available. I can send you a link if you have any interest. If you want beach, I love the panhandle of Florida - Seaside in particular. It's a long drive, but you can fly into Ft. Walton Beach from Houston. Don't know anyone who owns a house or condo there, though.

Considering he's headed someplace 'freaking hot' as he puts it...if you don't mind, give me the link on the Vail info... that might be ideal for us. We don't drink, we don't smoke... (unless we are on fire of course, lol)... and we are reasonably normal... other than the fact that I hang out with TPF'ers...lol...
Thanks!

Cajungaltx added 5 Minutes and 30 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Since you dive why not dive Texas only coral reed on the Flower Garden Bank?

Reef information

NOAA page on them

One Dive boat

Holy cow - that is gorgeous. Unfortunately, at over 1K, PLUS equipment (my husband has probably 90% of his, I don't have any of mine anymore) that's out of my budget for something like this.... lol.

But I'm book marking it - it'd be a great thing to do when he gets back.

Cajungaltx added 6 Minutes and 28 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by kamari

Too bad you guys don't have passports. Packages to Cancun are lower than GM's pink-sheet stock. I'm booking a 5-night trip for 2 for a grand total of $820.

I absolutely love going down to the Keys in FL. Very relaxing, very low populations, nice snorkeling & scuba locations.

Don't I know it. My sister in law just got back from a trip to Cozemel last week... $135 round trip flight... i was almost sick with jealousy.

[L Stegall]

Donna, I have the link bookmarked at my office - I'll send it to you tomorrow. My sister is on her way there now. I'm not sure how much time they will be there this summer - and if they are there, it's not in the rental pool. Worth checking anyway.

[Redneck]

I own a little guest ranch in Concan (15 mls South of Leakey) with 2 guest cabins. However there is no snorkeling or scuba diving in this area.

[kamari]

Originally Posted by L Stegall

I think we're headed down there sometime this summer as well. Prices are pretty low, although I haven't found that deal yet.

We were supposed to be leaving tomorrow (thurs) morning but I BSed last week with making the reservation. I found the trip on expedia tuesday last week but when I went back thurs morning to book it the trip had jumped up $80. Not the end of the world, but it took the initial wow factor out of the price.

I decided not to go since we're headed to Cabo in a few weeks, but I'm booking the cancun from sep 3-8 at the NH Krystal Cancun. Most other hotels with the package were in that $420-$500 range for 5 nights.

[Kalrog]

If you are looking to do a beach condo thing, can I suggest you check out the following sites to see what is available:
http://www.homeaway.com
http://www.vrbo.com
http://www.vacationrentals.com

Full disclosure: I work for them.