With so many great rivers around, floating the river is a popular summer pastime.  Since we have had so much rain recently, I would encourage you to contact the sites in advance of planning a trip to make sure they are open for business.  Additionally, Texans do enjoy the national parks and camping in general.

Below you will find articles and other online resources to help you plan some outdoor fun.  Please share any pictures or comments to our social media pages, so we can see how you are enjoying your new home.

River Floating – Texans love spending time on the state’s various rivers. Whether it be float tubes, canoes, kayaks or rope swings – Texas residents and visitors are full of ways to enjoy these rivers and streams.

• http://www.tubetexas.com/
• http://www.trails.com/list_35469_best-rivers-float-texas.html
• http://gotexas.about.com/od/watersports/tp/RiverRecreation.htm
• http://hillcountryportal.com/hillcountrytubingpaddling.html
• http://www.texasoutside.com/texas-rivers
• http://www.tubehaus.com/index.htm
• http://austinfloattrips.com/

Camping – Whether in an RV or “roughing It,” there is a spot for you in Texas!

• http://greatoutdoors.com/published/top-50-campsites-in-texas
• http://www.texasoutside.com/public/reviews/campground_favorite
• http://www.tripleblaze.com/best/?c=98
• http://www.campgrounds.com/us-camping/texas-camping/item/top-campgrounds-texas
• http://texascampgrounds.com/find-a-park/
• http://koa.com/campgrounds/lake-conroe/

Texas State and National Parks – If you are looking for the full outdoor experience, here are some places for you.

• http://www.texasoutside.com/best-texas-state-parks
• http://www.nps.gov/state/tx/index.htm
• http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/
• http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm
• http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/apr/02/top-10-national-parks-texas
• http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/national-parks/texas-national-parks.html

In March, we highlighted some of the area’s great farmers markets and specialty stores for fresh, local produce and products http://woodlandsrelogroup.com/blog/?p=219.

Other categories of food stores that you can find around here are international markets and vitamin stores. With the major industries at play in the Houston Market, there are a large number of transplants from all over the globe. That population has driven the growth of markets that specialize in the products common to their areas.

If you are a foodie, or just looking for the items to make a traditional, ethnic meal, you may find some of these establishments helpful.

Asian

1.     99 Ranch; 1005 Blalock Road, Houston, Texas 77055; (713) 932-8899; www.99ranch.com/stores/houston-texas

2.     Thang Hung Food Market; 3020 Gears Road, Houston, TX 77067; (281) 999-1239; www.thanghung.com

3.     Coming Soon: Yun Loy Asian Market; 475 Sawdust Road, Spring, TX 77380; (281) 292-7770; yunloyasianmarket.com

English

4.     Goodwood’s British Market; 1715-B Sawdust Road, The Woodlands, TX 77380; (281) 419-7540; www.goodwoods.com

Health Foods/Vitamins

5.     The Health Market; 427 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands, TX 77380; (281) 367-0002; www.woodlandshealthmarket.com

6.     Granary ST Health Food Store; 224 South Loop 336 W, Suite D, Conroe, TX; (936) 242-6873; www.facebook.com/GranaryStreetHealthFoodStore/info?tab=overview

7.     Nutrition Central; www.nutrition-central.net

1.     14825 Hwy 105 West, Conroe, Texas, 77356; (936) 588-1414

2.     9300 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380; (281) 419-1008

3.     2040 Louetta Road, Spring, Texas, 77388; (281) 528-8276

Italian

8.     D’Amico’s Italian Market Café; 2643 Commercial Center Boulevard, Katy, Texas 77494 281-769-9682; damico-cafe.com

Latin American

9.     Ciudad Latina Grill & Market; 32360 State Highway 249, Pinehurst, TX 77362; (832) 521-3898

10. Panaberiay Pasteleria Inc.; 4409 Treaschwig Road, Spring, TX 77373; (281) 784-2370

Mexican

11. Jessie Soria’s Mexican Products; 4634 FM 2920 Road, Spring, TX 77388; (281) 528-6925

12. Omega Foods; 14518 Hempstead Road, Suite 5C, Houston, TX 77040; (713) 690-7590

Middle Eastern

13. Phoenicia Specialty Foods; 1001 Austin Street, Houston, TX 77010; (832) 360-2222; www.phoeniciafoods.com/locations/downtown-market

14. India Gourmet Spices; 25701 Interstate 45 N, # 14, The Woodlands, TX 77380 (281) 419-3688; www.indiagourmetspices.com

Indian Foods Guide – www.indianfoodsguide.com/indian-food-guide/indian-grocery-stores/united-states/texas/houston.html

Bon appetit!

In the spirit of all things wet & wild, I wanted to share information about all of the pools in The Woodlands and other water parks close by. Believe it or not, there will come a point this summer when we are no longer dripping wet and it will be hot. We moved here in late July a few years ago, and my kids and I hit 10 of the 14 pools before school started. Each pool has it’s own personality and something a little different to offer.

The Woodlands Township has almost 130 parks available to residents. Some are the small “pocket” parks that offer a swing set and a slide, and others offer basketball courts, multi-purpose fields and pools. One of my favorite reference tools in the summer is the Parks & Pathways Map from The Woodlands Township. I keep this in my car all summer, because there is never a park too far away. You can also access this map online at http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?NID=252.

There are one or two public pools in each of The Woodlands Villages. The Splash Guide is another great reference tool (http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3956) that summarizes the specific information for each pool, as well as provides general information such as the township pool schedule and admission rates. As a Woodlands resident, I think the season pass is a great deal. (http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1237) Each pool does have one day a week it is not open, for cleaning and training of personnel, but all information can be found online.

The pools are located in the following villages:

• Village of Grogan’s Mill
  • Sawmill Park – Features a climbing wall and diving board
• Village of Panther Creek
  • Creekwood Park – features a slide with 90 degree turn
  • Ridgewood Park – the baby pool is fully accessorized with fun, including dumping buckets
• Village of Cochran’s Crossing
  • Bear Branch Park – summer camps are held here, so from 10-12 the pool is pretty packed
  • Shadowbend Park – there is a fun splash pad here
• Village of Indian Springs
  • Falconwing Park – one meter diving board and an a lap lane during open swim
  • Forestgate Park – 103 foot body slide
• Village of Alden Bridge
  • Alden Bridge Park – always a lap lane open
  • Lakeside Park – they have a great little kids area
  • Windvale Park – zero depth entry and a cool tulip spray feature
• Village of Sterling Ridge
  • Cranebrook Park – family slide and buckets that dump cool water on your head
• Village of College Park
  • Harper’s Landing Park – features a very large shallow area and all of the kids want to be on the floating alligator
• Village of Creekside
  • Rob Fleming Park – This huge pool is more like a waterpark, complete with a lazy river
  • Wendtwoods Park – The newest park in The Woodlands is my kids favorite because of the vortex pool and the lily pads, which make them think they are on American Ninja Warrior

Some of the village pools are home to a swim team, so occasionally the pool will be closed to the public for practices or meets, but you can always ask at the front desk of each pool for those schedules.

If you want to get out for a full day, Splashtown is very convenient and is a great waterpark. Located between exits 68 and 70A from I-45, it is a great way to spend the day. https://www.wetnwildsplashtown.com/

And just a little further away, a local favorite is Schillterbahn, in Galveston. For a mini-getaway, this will hit the notes for convenience and fun, all in one place. http://www.schlitterbahn.com/

I hope you can use this newsletter as a reference all summer. Have a wonderful week and please let me know how I can be of service in making The Woodlands your home.