I admit it, we (Mrs Texas Outside, my brother, son-in-law, and grandkid) are addicted to golf and if we don't play at least once a week we get crabby, depressed, and aren't a lot of fun to be around.  2009 was a banner golf year - we played lots of outstanding new Texas courses, enjoyed some great Stay & Plays and golf resorts, and visited some fantastic golf destinations (Panama City Beach, Aspen, and Scottsdale).  None of which helped our game but did force us to apologize a number of times, spend lots of money on new clubs and golf balls, and go through lots of Advil and sun screen - I still can't figure out why we continue to play this expensive and frustrating sport!  Here is just a sample of some of the best of 2009: 

Check out our Golf Home Page for course reviews, golf locator maps, coupons, golf vacations, stay & plays, golf resorts, and lots more golf information, links, and articles.

With three grandkids we had a lot of good times letting them entertain us on some kids weekend excursions - and the old folks sure enjoyed what would normally be considered "for kids only!"  To continue exploring Texas with the grandkids, we created a Kids Activities Page and started documenting some of our fun trips as well as adding some to the "to do" list.  Here were some of the best adventures with the grandkids in 2009:

 

Commentary and Plea for Help - At times it got a little crowded traveling and camping with 6 adults, my brother, two dogs, 6 cases of beer, 7 bikes plus two kids trailers, 3 car seats in the prime sitting positions, and 3 grandkids all jam packed into our 40' foot motorhome!  So if you have a reasonably priced motor home or trailer with bunk beds that sleeps 9 for sale, let me know - the sooner the better since we have a new grandson with diapers, a crib, another car seat, two strollers (one for the back trails and one for city use), plus all sorts of formula, medicine, and other baby goodies.  I'm not so sure the the motorhome can handle the load!  If you blow by us doing 40 on the freeway, honk and wave!

After all those fun weekends and trips with the grandkids and their fun loving parents, we were ready for a vacation.  Normally, you think of a vacation as a time to get away, chill at the pool, and come home rested and relaxed - it turns out that relaxing and naps never seem to get on our vacation agenda!  We have to cram as many events as we possible can into the daylight hours and then look for some lively nighttime activities.  Bottom line - we arrive home sore, sun burned, quite a few pounds heavier, and pooped - badly needing some sleep and down time.  Here were just some of the fun vacations we enjoyed in 2009: 

 

Check out our Fun Vacations Page!

We had some great camping trips and discovered some new RV parks in 2009 that we really enjoyed, some of which included:

A number of RV parks now have cabins/cottages which are an excellent alternative to staying in a hotel or for putting up friends that you don't have room for in your rig or for spending the night at if you don't feel like driving your RV. They are comfortable, have full kitchens, are typically cheaper and larger than a hotel room, will sleep 4 to 6 people, and you can enjoy the RV park amenities - check out this new Cottages & Cabins page to find a cabin to enjoy.

Each year we say that these four favorite music festivals can't get any better or more fun, yet they do!  If you like Texas country music, folk music, camping, good times, and fun loving crowds, then you'll enjoy:

If you want to escape from Texas and like Woody Guthrie music then the Woody Guthrie's Annual Folk Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma is a must.  If you haven't seen the Tejas Brothers, go out of your way to catch them.  You'll find all of this plus upcoming events and more on our Music and Events page.

We had some fun times on the lakes in 2009 and added the following to our Lakes & Boating Home Page:

 

After playing around in a Kayak and learning about all the kayak trails, kayak fishing, and kayak racing, we added a new Kayaking page.  We also expanded our Boat Rentals Page if you want to rent a boat, party barge, or jet ski and enjoy the lakes. 

 

Our (opps, my) passion for sailing (and wishing I was still racing Hobie Cats) hasn't gone away, so we (opps again, I) expanded our Sailing page.  I say "I" because my former racing partner (and wife) has refused to sail with me or let me consider buying a sailboat after I accidently dumped her (she fell off but claims I dumped her) in the middle of California's Monterey Bay as we were racing in 35 mile per hour gusts with 15 foot swells to the first marker. 

In 2009 we spent a lot of money on gas for the boat, Jeep, motorhome, and SUV as were exploring Texas and founding new  fun things to see and do.  Most have been added to Texas Outside's Discover Texas Section.   Some of the highlights in 2009 were:

We found lots of other fun things to see and do in Texas and have significantly expanded our Fun Stuff page.  Some of what we found and enjoyed or added to our "to do list" include:

Here are some quick links to the mains sections of Texas Outside:

Camping